Sullivan’s Crossing,the perfect replacement forVirgin River, is trending on Netflix. The latter popular romance drama, based on the Robyn Carr novels and from showrunner Patrick Sean Smith, follows Alexandra Breckenridge as Melinda “Mel” Monroe. Although an exact release date has not been confirmed,Virgin Riverseason 7 recently wrapped filmingand is on track to debut soon.
Although less likely to generate headlines when compared to Netflix’s mega hits likeWednesdayandSquid Game, the cozy and relatively low-pressure drama has left its mark on the streamer. The adaptation is already one of Netflix’s longest-running originals, with viewers loving the relationship between Mel and Jack (Martin Henderson). But a new addition to the platform is a very fitting replacement.

Sullivan’s Crossing Is Now Trending On Netflix
The Two Series Are From The Same Author
Sullivan’s Crossing, which airs on the CW in the U.S., isanother romantic drama based on Robyn Carr’s writing. Led by Morgan Kohan, Chad Michael Murray, Tom Jackson, Andrea Menard, and Scott Patterson, the story centers on Maggie Sullivan (Kohan), a neurosurgeon who returns home to rural Nova Scotia after some legal trouble and reconnects with her estranged father.
The first two seasons ofSullivan’s Crossingwere added to Netflix in early July,withFlixPatrolrevealing it has leaped to the #2 spot in the U.S. as of July 9. It’s just behindSquid Game, which tracks with how wellVirgin Riverhas performed. It reliably climbs the charts, racking up billions of minutes viewed, according to Nielsen, andSullivan’s Crossingscratches a similar itch.

Why Sullivan Crossing Is The Perfect Replacement Show For Virgin River
There Are Common Threads
The fact thatboth shows are based on novels by Carris perhaps the biggest selling point forSullivan’s Crossing. But there are points of connection between the stories. Both zero in on a medical professional heading to a small town for one reason or another, finding love and plenty of complications along the way.
Sullivan’s Crossingis co-produced by Canadian broadcaster CTV, its original network.
Those complications reach a boiling point inSullivan’s Crossing’s season 3 ending. Before getting to that, however, there’s the draw of seeing familiar faces doing variations of their breakout performances. Kohan is no stranger to romance dramas, withWhen Hope Calls. Murray and Patterson, as well, are known as leading men fromOne Tree HillandGilmore Girls, respectively.
Whether it’s delving into similar ideas or relying on established romantic leads like its sister adaptation, it’s no surprise that another Carr seriesis quickly finding an audience on a huge streaming platform.
They are coming back to TV dramas from a different purview, though still bringingthe same charm and affability. Showrunner and executive producer Roma Roth leans into it, just enough, just astheVirgin Rivercastis also helped by Breckenridge’s stint onThis Is Usand Henderson’s run onGrey’s Anatomyopposite Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith Grey.
Whether it’s delving into similar ideas or relying on established romantic leads like its sister adaptation, it’s no surprise that another Carr seriesis quickly finding an audience on a huge streaming platform. It bodes well, on the whole, for the chances ofSullivan’s Crossingseason 4.
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Sullivan’s Crossing
Cast
Sullivan’s Crossing follows neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan as she returns to her hometown after personal and professional upheavals. In her journey to reconcile with her present challenges, she confronts a difficult past she had long evaded, framing a story of introspection and emotional growth.
Virgin River
Virgin River is a romantic drama series released in 2019, centering on a recently divorced nurse who relocates from a big city to the redwood forests of California. There, she starts a new life and encounters an intriguing local man, setting the stage for a complex narrative of personal and community relationships.