'Virgin River': A Season 5 Cast and Character Guide for the Romantic Drama

Netflix's Virgin River, the hit romance series that debuted in 2019, is back with a vengeance. Fans of the delightfully soapy drama have a lot to chew on following that Season 5, Part 1 finale. The newly-engaged Mel and Jack, played by Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson, face new challenges as the usually quaint town of Virgin River lights on fire, literally. In other parts of town, a vast criminal conspiracy is unmasked, the father of Charmaine's twins is (finally) revealed and new love spells new beginnings for more than a few of Virgin River's inhabitants. To see how it all shakes out, we'll just have to wait until Season 5, Part 2, which consists of 2 Christmas-themed episodes, drops on Netflix on Nov. 30.

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Until then, you'd best catch up on your who's-who of Virgin River. The ever-expanding cast list includes a few enigmatic newcomers from shows like Hemlock Grove and Smallville. It's tough enough keeping up with series regulars who have been here since Season 1, so here's a little (actually, quite big) rundown of Virgin River's new and returning cast members in Season 5.

Which Cast Members Are Returning to Virgin River? 

Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe

Alexandra Breckenridge plays Mel Monroe, the nurse practitioner and midwife who is engaged to Jack Sheridan. Breckenridge has a long list of acting credits, including playing Sophie Larson in This Is Us and Jessie Anderson in The Walking Dead. In addition to TV, she has a long list of movie credits including She's The Man and Big Fat Liar. 

Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan

Martin Henderson plays Jack Sheridan, Mel's fiancé and the owner of the local bar. Fans will recognize Henderson from his role as Dr. Nathan Riggs in Grey's Anatomy. The New Zealand-born actor's breakout was in the '90s Australian soap opera Echo Point. Horror fans will recognize him as Noah in The Ring. 

Annette O'Toole as Hope McCrea

Annette O'Toole plays Hope McCrea, the mayor of Virgin River who likes to dabble in small-town gossip. In Season 4, fans watched her struggle with her memory after a traumatic car accident. O'Toole spent a large part of her career playing Superman's mother in the show Smallville. She's been acting since she was a teen in the 1960s and had small roles in The Partridge Family and Law & Order. 

Tim Matheson as Dr. Vernon Mullins

Tim Matheson plays Dr. Vernon Mullins, Hope's husband and the town doctor. At his wife's insistence, he begrudgingly hires Mel to work at his practice. Matheson is known for his role in the '70s hit National Lampoon's Animal House. He also had a starring role as Vice President John Hoynes in The West Wing. 

Benjamin Hollingsworth as Dan Brady

Benjamin Hollingsworth plays Dan Brady, Jack's miscreant Marine buddy who's perpetually caught up in local drug lord Calvin's schemes. Hollingsworth is known for his role in the show Code Black.

Zibby Allen as Brie Sheridan

Zibby Allen plays Brie Sheridan, Jack's younger sister and a formidable defense attorney. She made her debut in Season 3, and has since ditched bad-boy Brady for Jack's other Marine buddy, Mike. While Allen is an actress, she is also a musician and podcaster. She's known for her roles in Grey's Anatomy and 30 Second Somebodies. 

Colin Lawrence as Preacher

Colin Lawrence portrays John "Preacher" Middleton, a former Marine and partner in Jack's bar and restaurant. When he's not cooking up five-star dishes for Virgin River's rustic inhabitants, he's courting town newcomer Kaia. Lawrence's acting credits span over 30 years in film and TV. His most recognizable roles are in Battlestar Galactica, The Killing and Riverdale. 

Lauren Hammersley as Charmaine Roberts

Lauren Hammersley plays Charmaine Roberts, Jack's ex-girlfriend who's been pregnant since Season 1. Fans were left reeling when she revealed in the Season 4 finale that Jack is not the father of her twins. In Season 5, we finally learn the shocking truth of their paternity. Aside from Virgin River, Hammersley is known for her roles in Mr. D and Orphan Black.

Sarah Dugdale as Lizzie

Sarah Dugdale plays Lizzie, the town troublemaker who moves in with her aunt Connie after becoming too much for her parents. In Season 5, she comes into her own as Hope's Chief of Staff, and her fledgling relationship with Doc's long-lost grandson Denny gets a major development in the finale. Dugdale is known for her prior film roles in Death of a Cheerleader and In the Shadow of the Moon.

Marco Grazzini as Mike Valenzuela

Marco Grazzini plays Mike Valenzuela, another ex-Marine friend of Jack's and a police detective. After helping clear Brady's name, Mike strikes up a romance with Jack's sister (and Brady's ex) Brie. You might recognize Grazzini from his roles in Kim's Convenience and Hallmark films.

Kai Bradbury as Denny Cutler

Kai Bradbury plays Denny, the grandson Doc didn't know he had until Season 3. Denny came to Virgin River after he was diagnosed with Huntington's disease, a terminal illness. Now, he's living life to the fullest with Lizzie by his side. Bradbury's first TV role was in The Man in the High Castle, and he's appeared in episodes of Supernatural and The Boys.

Mark Ghanimé as Dr. Cameron Hayek

Mark Ghanimé plays Dr. Cameron Hayek, who joined Doc's practice in Season 4. Finally over his unrequited love for Mel, Cameron begins a relationship with knitting circle maven Muriel in Season 5. And he's poised to be a pillar of the Virgin River community: He's vowed to take over the clinic when Doc retires. Ghanimé previously had roles in The CW's Reign and SYFY's Helix.

Teryl Rothery as Muriel

Teryl Rothery plays Muriel, Hope's rival-turned-ally. Now working as a secretary at Doc's clinic, Muriel takes a leap of faith and enters into a surprising relationship with Cameron. Rothery is best known for her role in the 2000s series Stargate SG-1. She's also appeared in shows like Arrow, Nancy Drew and The Haunting of Bly Manor.

David Cubitt as Calvin

David Cubitt is back as Calvin, the local drug lord who was presumed dead in Season 4. He makes a shocking return in the Season 5, Part 1 finale. Cubitt previously starred in Medium and has appeared in Ray Donovan, The X-Files and Arrow.

Jenny Cooper as Joey Barnes

Jenny Cooper plays Joey Barnes, Mel's older sister based in Los Angeles. The two have walked through fire together, having lost their mother as children. And Joey's always there to help Mel pick up the pieces when tragedy strikes. You might recognize Cooper from the medical drama Open Heart and appearances in shows like Grey's Anatomy and NCIS.

Who Are the New Cast Members of Virgin River?

Kandyse McClure as Kaia

Kandyse McClure joins the Season 5 cast as Kaia, a tough Virgin River firefighter who strikes up a romance with Preacher, much to her estranged husband's chagrin. McClure, who is from South Africa, is best known for her roles in Battlestar Galactica and Hemlock Grove.

Elise Gatien as Lark

Elise Gatien plays newcomer Lark, a single mother with a soft spot for Brady. You may have seen her before in the shows Smallville, Ghost Wars and Tower Prep. 

When Can You Watch Season 5, Part 2 of Virgin River?

Virgin River Season 5, Part 1, which includes episodes 1-10, is now streaming on Netflix. Part 2, consisting of 2 Christmas-themed episodes, will drop on Nov. 30.

READ MORE: 'Virgin River' Season 5, Part 1 Finale Recap + Predictions: So Many Bombshells, So Little Time