Netflix viewers who fell in love with the cozy, emotional charm of Virgin River now have another heartwarming — and heart-wrenching — series to add to their watchlist: Sullivan’s Crossing. But this small-town drama isn’t just similar in tone and spirit. It shares deep creative roots with Virgin River, giving fans a familiar blend of community, romance, and emotional healing. So how exactly are the two shows connected — and why are fans of one destined to fall for the other?

It all begins behind the scenes, where the seeds of both stories were planted.

From the Same Storyteller — A Shared Creative Heart

Virgin River soared to global success with emotionally rich storytelling and grounded romance — thanks to bestselling author Robyn Carr. And guess what? Sullivan’s Crossing is also based on a beloved book series by Robyn Carr. That means both shows spring from the same narrative foundation: heartfelt journeys, layered characters, and small-town charm wrapped around personal growth and second chances.

Just like Jack, Mel, and the community of Virgin River, the characters in Sullivan’s Crossing navigate heartbreak, healing, and unexpected love while leaning on the strength of the community around them. Different town, different story — but the same emotional DNA.

Small Town, Big Feelings — A Signature Vibe

Fans looking for a similar cozy escape will instantly feel at home. Instead of the rugged mountains and rivers of California’s Virgin River, Sullivan’s Crossing transports viewers to a scenic Canadian town filled with natural beauty, local quirks, and the comforting hum of a tight-knit community.

Both series celebrate:

• Fresh starts after emotional hardship

• Found family and community support

• Romance that grows slowly and deeply

• Healing from past wounds

• Life lessons tucked inside everyday moments

If you adored the way Virgin River wraps drama in warmth and hope, Sullivan’s Crossing brings that same soul-soothing atmosphere.

A Heroine on a Healing Journey

At the heart of Sullivan’s Crossing is Maggie Sullivan — a brilliant doctor who returns home after a painful professional and personal setback. Sound familiar? Like Mel Monroe, Maggie isn’t running away; she’s searching for clarity, healing, and a new sense of belonging.

Both women arrive in modest mountain towns thinking they’re staying temporarily. But as they settle in, the community — and a certain someone — changes their plans.

In Virgin River, Mel finds Jack. In Sullivan’s Crossing, Maggie encounters Cal, a rugged outdoorsman with emotional layers of his own. Both romances unfold with vulnerability, conflict, hope, and undeniable chemistry.

Familiar Themes, Fresh Characters

Though the tone and emotional warmth echo Virgin River, Sullivan’s Crossing stands on its own with:

• Unique family conflicts

• A complicated father-daughter dynamic

• A heroine struggling with career — not just love

• A deeper focus on forgiveness and rebuilding trust

• Characters carrying secrets from the past that slowly surface

Where Virgin River blends medical emergencies with emotional drama, Sullivan’s Crossing leans more into personal redemption and family healing — while keeping the romance and tender moments fans crave.

Why Fans Should Tune In

Virgin River lovers will find comfort in the familiar storytelling style — but the fresh faces and new challenges keep it from being a copy. Instead, it feels like a companion journey, a spiritual sibling rather than a twin.

Expect tears, smiles, slow-burn love, and the peaceful beauty of small-town life. Expect to get attached — fast. And expect to crave the next episode before the credits finish rolling.

A New Place to Escape To

If Virgin River made you dream of starting over in a peaceful mountain town, Sullivan’s Crossing invites you to take that trip again — with a new cast, new secrets, and new emotional twists. Cozy blankets? Check. Warm beverages? Absolutely. Emotional roller coaster? Always.

One thing is clear: Netflix knows exactly how to deliver comfort-drama TV that feels like a hug — and Sullivan’s Crossing is the next series you won’t want to stop watching once you start.