Title: 🌲 Can’t Get Enough of Virgin River? These 7 Sullivan’s Crossing Similarities Will Blow Your Mind 💘📺

If you’re one of the millions of fans who fell in love with Virgin River, chances are you’re always on the hunt for something that hits the same emotional chords. Look no further — Sullivan’s Crossing might just be your next obsession. With cozy small-town charm, complicated relationships, and healing journeys, this newer drama has more in common with Virgin River than you might expect.

Here are 7 jaw-dropping similarities between Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing that will make you want to start binge-watching ASAP.

1. Small-Town Escapes with Big-Hearted Communities

Both shows begin with a central character escaping a hectic or painful past to find solace in a quiet, remote town. In Virgin River, Mel leaves Los Angeles for the fresh air and peace of Northern California. In Sullivan’s Crossing, Maggie leaves her fast-paced medical career in Boston and retreats to the rural community run by her estranged father.

Each town — Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing — is filled with quirky, lovable residents who slowly become like family. The cozy-town vibe, the woodsy backdrop, and the sense of emotional refuge make both series feel like warm hugs in television form.

2. Romance That Builds with Tension and Tenderness

One of the main draws of Virgin River is the slow-burn romance between Mel and Jack. In Sullivan’s Crossing, the chemistry between Maggie and Cal, a rugged yet emotionally deep local, echoes that same heartfelt tension.

Both shows master the art of developing relationships gradually — with longing glances, misunderstandings, emotional baggage, and just the right amount of will-they-won’t-they drama. If you live for romantic payoff, you’re in for a treat.

3. Wounded Characters Seeking Redemption

Mel, Jack, and many others in Virgin River have emotional scars. They’re all trying to rebuild — whether from grief, trauma, or betrayal. Sullivan’s Crossing mirrors this with Maggie’s troubled past, her legal scandal, and the emotional wounds that keep her distant from her father.

What makes both shows powerful is that healing doesn’t happen overnight. Characters are flawed, vulnerable, and often their own worst enemies. But watching them slowly grow and reconnect is deeply satisfying.

4. Stunning Nature as a Silent Character

In both series, the backdrop is more than just scenery — it’s part of the emotional experience. From misty forests to quiet rivers, nature plays a healing role. It gives space for introspection, tough conversations, and the occasional dramatic twist (storms, accidents, or wilderness emergencies).

Filmed in picturesque Canadian locations, both Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing offer lush visuals that make you want to pack a bag and disappear into the woods.

5. Medical Drama Meets Personal Crisis

Mel and Maggie are both medical professionals who try to bury their pain in their work. But their attempts to focus on healing others are constantly interrupted by personal dilemmas. From ethical challenges to past mistakes haunting them, both women are pulled between their professional duties and emotional journeys.

If you enjoy storylines where saving lives intertwines with saving oneself, you’ll find Sullivan’s Crossing strikes a familiar (and compelling) chord.

6. Estranged Family Ties at the Core

While Virgin River touches on family relationships through Mel’s backstory and Jack’s family drama, Sullivan’s Crossing puts estranged family right at the center. Maggie’s fractured relationship with her father, Sully, is the emotional backbone of the show.

Both series highlight how unresolved family issues can linger for years — and how facing those wounds head-on can lead to powerful transformation.

7. That Bittersweet Blend of Comfort and Conflict

What keeps fans glued to shows like Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing is that perfect balance: soothing atmosphere mixed with serious emotional depth. These aren’t just light romances — they’re stories about people facing real pain, making mistakes, and learning to move forward.

Each episode gives you comfort, but also stirs something deep. And when done right, that combination is addictive.

Final Thoughts: Is Sullivan’s Crossing the Next Virgin River?

While no show can truly replace Virgin River, Sullivan’s Crossing comes pretty close in all the best ways. With its mix of romance, redemption, community, and conflict — all wrapped in a scenic small-town setting — it checks all the boxes.

So if you’re missing Mel and Jack or counting down the days until Season 7 drops, take a detour to Sullivan’s Crossing. You might just find a new home away from home.