Although many fans ofVirgin RiverenjoySullivan’s Crossing, this doesn’t mean that the two shows are equal in the eyes of critics. LikeVirgin River,Sullivan’s Crossingis based on a series of romance novels by legendary author Robyn Carr. Since she began publishing romance novels in 1980, Carr has written over 28 standalone books.
Carr is perhaps best known for the 22-bookVirgin Riverseries and the five-bookSullivan’s Crossingseries, both of which have received TV adaptations.Sullivan’s Crossingseason 4will arrive on the CW later in 2025, whileVirgin Riverseason 7 is set to hit Netflix soon.
Sullivan’s Crossing Hasn’t Won Over Critics (Unlike Virgin River)
Virgin River Boasts A Rotten Tomatoes Rating of 81%
Theprolific writer’s next show,Thunder Point, will be based on aVirgin Riverspinoff novel series. Readers might be surprised to learn that it isVirgin Riverthat will receive a spinoff beforeSullivan’s Crossing, especially whenSullivan’s Crossingproducer Rena Roth is the show runner on this upcoming series. However, it isn’t hard to guess why.
Virgin River’s critical reception has been markedly better than the reviews received bySullivan’s Crossingso far,and it doesn’t seem like this trend will end anytime soon.Virgin Riverreceived an 81% rating from critics onRotten Tomatoeswhile, in contrast,Sullivan’s Crossingearned only 60%.
Many commenters complain that the show’s central Maggie/Cal romance can’t hold a candle to Jack and Mel’s story from the earlier series.
This disparity may not seem all that bad, but it aligns with sentiments expressed online by fans of both shows on Reddit and social media sites. WhileSullivan’s CrossingisVirgin River’s perfect replacementfor some Netflix users, many commenters complain that the show’s central Maggie/Cal romance can’t hold a candle to Jack and Mel’s story from the earlier series.
Season 3 Proved Sullivan’s Crossing Struggles To Match Virgin River
Robyn Carr’s Second Adaptation Earned Mixed Feedback From Fans
Sullivan’s Crossingdidn’t make things easier for itself in season 3, with viewers complaining that the villains weren’t compelling, and the tone felt off. This is somethingVirgin Riverhasn’t struggled with, as the show’s small-town atmosphere has remained consistent since season 1.
John Ralston
Jed Jones
Virgin River’s pace may not be for everyone, but the show hasn’t been accused of shifting its tone as haphazardously asSullivan’s Crossingand its heroine received a lot less criticism than the comparatively immature, indecisive Maggie. As such, it is not a shock that its reviews are superior.
While the newer series could catch up,Sullivan’s Crossing’s bombshell season 3 finale twistdoesn’t bode well. The show’s fourth outing seems set to double down on outlandish melodrama and wild twists, something that makesSullivan’s Crossingless consistently popular thanVirgin Riveramong fans and critics alike.
