In Virgin River, Doc Mullins is the gruff but endearing town physician who often hides a soft heart behind stern advice and sharp glances. But offscreen, actor Tim Matheson is revealing a love story even more compelling than the one his character experiences — and fans are stunned by the deeply personal truths he’s now sharing about the woman who changed his life forever.

At 76, Matheson has lived a long and successful career in Hollywood, from his breakout role as Eric “Otter” Stratton in Animal House to countless TV appearances in shows like The West Wing, Hart of Dixie, and now, Virgin River. But what many fans didn’t know — until now — is that the most transformative role of his life isn’t one he played onscreen. It’s the one he’s lived as a husband, partner, and romantic at heart.

In a heartfelt new interview with TV Insider, Matheson opened up about his unexpected second chance at love — a story filled with heartbreak, resilience, and emotional healing. After two failed marriages, including one that lasted nearly 25 years, Matheson admitted he never thought he’d fall in love again, let alone experience the kind of connection he once believed was reserved for movies and scripts.

“I was tired,” he said candidly. “Tired of trying, tired of pretending I was okay with being alone. I didn’t expect love to find me again — and definitely not when it did.”

That turning point came in 2017, when he met Elizabeth Marighetto, a producer and script supervisor. Their connection was almost instant, but it didn’t come with fireworks or drama — it came with calm. “She listened,” Matheson said, his voice cracking slightly. “She listened in a way no one ever had. She saw through the charm, through the roles, and just saw me.”

The two married in 2018 in a private ceremony surrounded by close friends and family, a quiet beginning to what has now become the cornerstone of Matheson’s personal life. According to him, Elizabeth’s support was pivotal during one of the most emotionally complex roles of his career: playing Vernon “Doc” Mullins, a man grappling with aging, regret, lost love, and failing health.

“Doc’s struggles hit a little too close to home,” Matheson admitted. “When I first read the scripts about his failing eyesight and the secrets he was keeping from the woman he loved, I felt this ache. Like I was looking into a mirror. Not because I was physically ill, but because I knew what it felt like to be scared, to feel like you’d run out of time.”

But where Doc pulled away from Hope, Elizabeth pulled closer to Tim.

“There were nights when I’d come home after shooting those heavy scenes and just sit in silence,” he said. “And Elizabeth would sit with me. No words. Just presence. That’s love. That’s real.”

What makes the story even more poignant is that Elizabeth herself has largely stayed out of the spotlight, choosing instead to support her husband from behind the scenes. She’s helped him navigate the intense filming schedule of Virgin River, reminded him to take breaks, eat well, and — most importantly — reminded him who he is when the cameras stop rolling.

“Fame is a very loud echo chamber,” Matheson reflected. “You start to believe your press — good or bad. Elizabeth quiets all of that. She grounds me.”

For longtime fans of Tim Matheson, this candid vulnerability is a surprise. He’s always been a charismatic, confident presence on screen, often playing characters who are quick-witted, composed, and in control. But this glimpse behind the curtain reveals a man who has faced personal lows, wrestled with doubt, and — like Doc Mullins — found redemption through love.

Interestingly, many of the emotionally raw scenes in Virgin River’s latest seasons were reportedly influenced by conversations Matheson had with the writers. He shared real-life insights into what it means to love later in life, to fear losing someone, and to carry the weight of past mistakes. The result? A Doc Mullins who feels painfully real — and a storyline that’s touched millions of viewers.

“People come up to me and say, ‘You remind me of my dad, my grandfather, my old doctor,’” Matheson shared. “But sometimes they’ll say, ‘Doc reminds me of myself — scared of saying too much, scared of being alone.’ Those are the ones that hit hardest.”

Tim and Elizabeth’s love story hasn’t been without challenges. Like any couple, they’ve faced disagreements and tough transitions. But they credit open communication and emotional honesty as the glue that keeps them close. Matheson even jokes that the secret to their marriage is that Elizabeth doesn’t let him get away with any of his “Hollywood charm nonsense.”

“She sees the man behind the character,” he laughs. “She’s not impressed by Doc. She’s impressed when I remember to take out the trash.”

As Virgin River continues to build toward even more dramatic turns — including the future of Doc’s medical condition and his deepening relationship with Hope — Matheson says he’s drawing more and more from real life to inform his performance. And he’s not afraid to admit that age has changed him — not just as an actor, but as a man.

“I used to think love was fire and passion and chaos,” he said. “Now I know it’s presence, patience, and showing up every day. Elizabeth showed me that.”

The interview ends with a quiet moment — one that seems scripted, but is entirely real. When asked what he’s most proud of in his entire career, Matheson doesn’t name a movie, TV show, or award.

“I’m proud I didn’t give up on love,” he says, eyes misty. “I’m proud I opened my heart again. And I’m grateful every single day that she walked into my life.”

For fans of Virgin River, Doc Mullins may be a fictional character. But the man behind him — Tim Matheson — is living proof that it’s never too late for a second chance at love. And sometimes, the most powerful stories aren’t the ones we act… but the ones we live.