Annette O’Toole is a celebrated actress whose portrayal of Hope McCrea in Netflix’s Virgin River has become a standout in her long, diverse career. Best known for iconic roles in Smallville (as Martha Kent) and Superman III (as Lana Lang), O’Toole brings experience, nuance, and depth to the small-town mayor of Virgin River Parade+14en.wikipedia.org+14thesun.co.uk+14.
👩⚖️ Hope McCrea: Small Town’s Bold Mayor
As Mayor Hope McCrea, O’Toole’s character is far from predictable. Hope is outspoken, impulsive, and deeply invested in her community’s well-being—even if that means meddling in everyone’s business Netflix+1Netflix+1. O’Toole views Hope not as a caricature, but as a woman who loves fiercely and lives entirely on energy, coffee, wine, chocolate—and plenty of determination Netflix+1Netflix+1.
Her Season 4 arc confronts a head injury and traumatic recovery. Forced to slow down, Hope must learn humility and self-awareness, becoming more empathetic without losing her essential drive Parade+14Netflix+14Good Housekeeping+14. By Season 5 and 6, she remains headstrong but also softer, leaning into renewed purpose and emotional complexity Good Housekeeping.
With her husband, Doc Mullins (played by Tim Matheson), she navigates a layered, volatile romance—rooted in decades of shared history, mistakes, and reconciliation Country Living+7HELLO!+7CommsTrader+7. Their dynamic adds beyond-simple intimacy—a believable portrait of two older people with unresolved baggage and enduring affection.
🎬 O’Toole’s Journey: From Superman to Small-Town Mayor
Born in 1952 in Houston, Annette O’Toole began her acting career in 1967. Over decades she has appeared in major films like Superman III and Cross My Heart, and memorable TV roles including Beverly Marsh in It (1990) and Martha Kent in Smallville—a role she played across ten seasons and guest returns The List+12looper.com+12CommsTrader+12reddit.com+12en.wikipedia.org+12smashinginterviews.com+12.
In Virgin River, O’Toole helped build her character almost from scratch—since Hope was only a minor figure in the original novels—working hand-in-hand with showrunner Sue Tenney to define her personality, flaws, and heart en.wikipedia.org+13The List+13AP News+13. O’Toole relished the creative freedom, calling Hope one of the most fulfilling roles of her career, especially as a vibrant older woman pushing boundaries CommsTrader.
🗣️ Reception & Impact
Fans’ reactions are mixed. Some praise O’Toole’s energy and memorable presence, while others find Hope abrasive or over-the-top—even off-putting at times. As one Reddit thread criticized:
“Does someone understand what they are trying to achieve… it’s weird, not relatable and artificial.”
Others counter: “She’s an extremely talented actress.” Each side agrees Hope is unforgettable reddit.com.
✅ Final Take
Annette O’Toole brings rich history and emotional nuance to Hope McCrea—transforming her into a beloved, if polarizing, force in Virgin River. From her early days in Hollywood to evolving screen roles, she continues to defy expectations. As Hope digs into town dramas—from weddings to health crises—O’Toole shows that small-town lives can hold the biggest stories.
