Netflix romance fans had their hearts warmed when Preacher (Colin Lawrence) and Julia (Lucia Walters) began a slow-burning love story on Virgin River. Yet the real twist? They’re actually married in real life.

Colin Lawrence has played John “Preacher” Middleton since Season 1, while Lucia Walters joined as Julia—a martial‑arts teacher turned love interest introduced in Season 4. The duo had instant chemistry, but for many fans the real spark hit when they discovered the two actors have been a couple off-screen since the late 1990s EW.com+15The Independent+15Emmerdale+15Emmerdale.

Their love story began in acting school around 1997. After dating two years, they tied the knot in 1999— have stayed together since. Today, they live in Vancouver with their two daughters and often keep a low public profile Startefacts+1The List+1. As one fan commented on Reddit:

“Preacher and Julia are married in real life!!!! Cute” Reddit

Their on-set connection is both thrilling and authentic. Fans flooded social media with excitement, celebrating the fact that Preacher and Julia reflect true partnership off-camera too EW.com+15The List+15HELLO!+15. The couple even collaborated in Fifty Shades Darker, playing bystanders alongside the main leads—long before Virgin River brought them together in scripted romance Reddit+8HELLO!+8The List+8.

Julia and Preacher’s storyline in the series creates poignant nuance—especially since Preacher previously had history with Paige, and yet the shift toward Julia feels grounded and earned. Knowing the actors share decades of life together adds depth to each shared glance, on-screen moment, and bittersweet goodbye.

✅ In Short

Colin Lawrence and Lucia Walters are real-life partners whose 20+ year marriage adds unexpected authenticity to Virgin River’s Preacher–Julia romance. Their bond is a reminder that sometimes fiction mirrors real love—on and off screen.

Would you like fan reactions, behind-the-scenes stories of their casting, or a deeper dive into their joint various roles?