Roma Roth, the creative powerhouse behind two of TV’s most emotionally resonant dramas — Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing — is finally opening up about the secrets, challenges, and surprises that fans never see behind the scenes. In an exclusive interview, the producer and showrunner offered candid insights into the making of these small-town sagas, her creative process, and what separates each series despite their overlapping themes of romance, healing, and community.

Roth, known for her ability to craft deeply human stories with sweeping emotional arcs, has been a quiet but formidable force in modern television drama. While Virgin River put her on the global map thanks to its runaway success on Netflix, Sullivan’s Crossing — now gaining traction with its own loyal fanbase — is proving to be another hit for the Canadian producer.

Now, for the first time, Roth is drawing the curtain back on what really happens between “Action” and “Cut.”

🎬 From Concept to Screen: Where It All Started

“Virgin River was inspired by Robyn Carr’s novels, of course,” Roth begins. “But the way we developed it for TV really leaned into the emotional reality of starting over — of grief, hope, and unexpected love. We knew right away that people weren’t just looking for escape; they were looking for emotional connection.”

That sense of connection is something she also carried into Sullivan’s Crossing, a story that follows Maggie Sullivan, a high-powered neurosurgeon who’s forced to return to her rural hometown after personal and professional turmoil.

“What I loved about Maggie’s story,” Roth says, “is that it’s about rediscovering who you are when the world you built crumbles. That’s something I think many people can relate to now more than ever.”

🌲 The Magic of Location

One of Roth’s most revealing behind-the-scenes confessions is how much time goes into choosing the perfect filming location — something both series are famous for.

While Virgin River is shot in British Columbia and often praised for its cinematic mountain views and riverfront charm, Sullivan’s Crossing also relies heavily on nature as both a setting and a character.

“I don’t just want the place to look beautiful,” she explains. “I want it to mean something. In Virgin River, the town itself feels like a healing space. In Sullivan’s Crossing, the landscape is a mirror — sometimes peaceful, sometimes rugged, just like Maggie’s journey.”

📽️ Casting Chemistry — and Surprising Choices

Roth also touched on the casting process, which fans often speculate about online.

“People are shocked when I tell them that Virgin River’s leads didn’t do chemistry reads together at first,” she reveals. “But when Alexandra Breckenridge (Mel) and Martin Henderson (Jack) met on set — instant spark. It was unreal.”

With Sullivan’s Crossing, the casting of Morgan Kohan as Maggie and Chad Michael Murray as Cal Jones raised some eyebrows initially. But Roth said it was a conscious choice to show a new side of the former teen heartthrob.

“I knew Chad had more depth than people gave him credit for. And the way he connected with Maggie’s vulnerability? That’s the magic.”

🤫 The Secrets They Keep

Of course, no behind-the-scenes chat would be complete without secrets — and Roth didn’t disappoint.

For starters, she revealed that multiple alternate endings were filmed for Virgin River Season 4’s infamous baby twist. “We weren’t sure how we wanted that reveal to go,” she confesses. “We tested a few different versions. Some were way darker.”

She also confirmed that one fan-favorite character in Sullivan’s Crossing was originally written to die in Season 1 — but fan response changed the trajectory. “Let’s just say social media saved a life,” she jokes.

Additionally, Roth hinted at a possible crossover between the two shows — not with full characters, but in subtler ways. “There’s a fun Easter egg in Sullivan’s Crossing that links back to Virgin River. I won’t say what or where. But the die-hards will spot it.”

🧠 The Mental Health Mandate

Roth has also been praised for her willingness to confront tough emotional themes, especially around grief, anxiety, and healing — something she says is no accident.

“I believe in emotional honesty,” she says. “Mel’s miscarriage in Virgin River, Maggie’s panic attacks in Sullivan’s Crossing — we work with consultants to make sure it’s respectful and authentic. Because people are watching these stories while living their own versions.”

🗓️ What’s Next?

With Virgin River Season 7 in production and Sullivan’s Crossing gearing up for another season, Roth has no plans of slowing down. But she’s keeping tight-lipped on major plot developments — though she did offer this tantalizing tease:

“There’s a storm coming in both series — literally and emotionally. Characters you love are going to be tested in ways you haven’t seen before. Some will rise. Some will fall. But all of them will change.”

❤️ Why We Keep Coming Back

So what is it that makes Roth’s work resonate with millions?

“It’s not about perfection,” she says. “It’s about people trying their best. They stumble. They hurt. But they keep going. That’s what life looks like. That’s what good storytelling is.”

And that’s what Roma Roth promises to keep delivering — one small town, one heartbreak, one healing moment at a time.

As fans eagerly await what comes next in Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing, one thing is clear: Roma Roth’s storytelling has built not just fictional communities, but real ones — across screens, across borders, and across hearts.