Lauren Hammersley is no stranger to intense fan reactions. As Charmaine Roberts on Virgin River, she’s played one of the series’ most polarizing characters since the very beginning. Viewers have watched Charmaine go from sweet small-town hairdresser to a symbol of chaos, deception, and drama. But while fans may love to hate her, Hammersley isn’t backing down — and she has no intention of softening the edges of a character she believes is far more complex than critics allow.

In a recent conversation, Lauren opened up about the backlash Charmaine often receives, the emotional toll of playing a character many consider the “villain,” and why she’s fiercely proud of the work she’s done on the hit Netflix series. “Charmaine isn’t evil,” Hammersley explains. “She’s human — messy, emotional, insecure. She makes mistakes. But that doesn’t make her unworthy of compassion.”

A Complicated Legacy

When Virgin River first introduced Charmaine, she was Jack’s bubbly girlfriend, madly in love and planning a future together. Then Mel arrived — and everything changed. Jack’s heart clearly belonged elsewhere, and as their love triangle unraveled, Charmaine’s jealousy and desperation grew. What followed were shocking decisions, from hiding the truth about her twins’ father to emotionally manipulating situations in her favor.

Fans weren’t kind. Online forums filled with frustration, calling Charmaine “toxic,” “obsessive,” and even “crazy.” But Hammersley has always defended her character’s actions as deeply rooted in pain. “Charmaine is someone who feels she’s constantly being pushed aside,” she says. “She’s a woman who wants to be loved, who thought she had found that in Jack, and who spirals when that foundation is ripped away.”

Embracing the Hate

Rather than shy away from criticism, Hammersley leans into it. “If people are this passionate, it means I’m doing my job,” she says with a smile. “No one watches a show to see characters make perfect choices all the time. The mess is what keeps people talking.”

Still, being the subject of so much negativity isn’t easy. She admits that some days are harder than others. “Of course it stings a little when people say really cruel things. But I separate myself from the character. I don’t take it personally.” In fact, she’s developed a sense of pride in being able to evoke such strong responses. “In a sea of perfect protagonists, I get to play someone real — someone you might not like but who forces you to feel something.”

The Power of Playing a Flawed Woman

In many ways, Hammersley sees Charmaine as a revolutionary character, especially in a genre often dominated by predictable romantic tropes. “We’re so used to women on TV being supportive, likable, endlessly understanding. Charmaine challenges that. She says, ‘No, I’m not okay with this. I’m angry. I’m acting out. And I’m not going to apologize for it.’”

This defiance, Hammersley believes, is why so many viewers bristle. “We’re not used to women being allowed to fall apart without being punished. But Charmaine does, and she’s still here. That’s powerful.”

She also points out how the show never gives up on Charmaine. “Even when she’s at her worst, there are moments of vulnerability, of softness. The writers remind us that underneath all the drama, she’s still human — still hurting.”

What’s Next for Charmaine?

With Season 6 of Virgin River already stirring speculation, fans are asking whether Charmaine will finally get her redemption arc — or spiral further into chaos. Hammersley is tight-lipped about spoilers but teases that there’s more to come. “Charmaine’s journey is far from over,” she says. “There’s healing, but also more conflict. And yes, more surprises.”

One of the biggest bombshells in the previous season was Charmaine finally admitting that Jack wasn’t the father of her twins — a twist that left both fans and characters reeling. Hammersley says that scene was one of the most emotionally demanding to film. “It was years of tension coming to a head. I had to dig deep to find the regret, the fear, and the tiny hope that maybe, just maybe, someone would still understand her.”

Whether that understanding ever comes remains to be seen. But Hammersley is determined to continue portraying Charmaine with depth and honesty. “She’s not someone I want people to forgive immediately. I want them to wrestle with her, to question her choices. That’s where the real storytelling lives.”

Off-Screen Support

Despite the backlash, Lauren Hammersley says her co-stars have been nothing but supportive. “The cast is like family. Alexandra [Breckenridge], Martin [Henderson], Tim [Matheson] — they all get it. They know that playing the ‘difficult’ character can be isolating. But they remind me that the story needs all of us — the lovers, the heroes, the troublemakers.”

She also credits the Virgin River writers for refusing to flatten Charmaine into a one-note antagonist. “They could’ve easily written her off or turned her into a complete caricature. But instead, they keep exploring her motivations, her trauma, her messy evolution. That kind of writing is rare, and I’m grateful for it.”

A Message to the Fans

To those who dislike Charmaine, Hammersley has a message: “That’s okay. You don’t have to love her. But I hope you’ll try to understand her. We’ve all made mistakes. We’ve all acted out when we’ve felt abandoned. Charmaine just happens to do it in front of millions of people.”

And for those who see themselves in Charmaine — even just a little — she offers kindness. “You’re not alone. You’re not bad. You’re just trying to be seen, to be heard, to matter. And that’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Final Thoughts

Lauren Hammersley’s portrayal of Charmaine Roberts continues to stir debate, divide audiences, and fuel some of Virgin River’s most gripping drama. But behind the controversy is an actress who believes in the power of flawed characters and the necessity of telling their stories without apology.

“I’m not here to play perfect,” she says. “I’m here to play real. And real is messy. Real is misunderstood. Real is Charmaine.”