Photo courtesy of Netflix
As anticipation builds for the Season 7 premiere of Virgin River on March 12, fans are ready to return to the picturesque small town and the characters whose stories have kept audiences invested for years. Among the show’s most compelling figures is Brady, played by Canadian actor Benjamin Hollingsworth, whose layered performance has helped make the hit Netflix drama one of the platform’s longest-running and most-streamed original series.
Hollingsworth has built a diverse career across film and television. He first gained attention in The Joneses alongside Demi Moore and David Duchovny, and later starred in the medical drama Code Black opposite Marcia Gay Harden and Rob Lowe. His recent credits include the drama series Joe Pickett and the thriller Cold Pursuit with Liam Neeson and Laura Dern.
Ahead of the new season, Hollingsworth spoke with Real Style about Brady’s evolution, why audiences connect so deeply with Virgin River, and the kinds of roles he hopes to tackle in the future.
Real Style: You’ve played a variety of roles across film and television. How do you decide which projects to take on, and what draws you to a character?
Benjamin: For me, it always starts with the character. I’m looking for someone who feels human, even if they’re flawed… especially if they’re flawed. Perfect characters are boring. I’ve tried being perfect once. It lasted about six minutes. I’m drawn to roles where there’s an internal tug-of-war going on. Brady is a great example of that. He’s constantly battling who he was and who he’s trying to become. That tension is fun to play. Practically speaking, I ask myself two things: does this scare me a little, and will this stretch me? If the answer is yes, I’m usually in. Also, if there’s a good jacket involved, that doesn’t hurt.
Real Style: Season 7 of Virgin River premieres March 12. Without giving anything away, what excites you most about this season for Brady?
Benjamin Season 7 feels… earned. Brady’s been through the emotional equivalent of a multi-season obstacle course. This year, we really get to see the consequences of the choices he’s made—both good and bad. What excites me most is watching him step into a version of himself that feels more grounded. He’s still Brady, so don’t worry, there’s no sudden sainthood arc. But there’s growth. There’s accountability. And there are a few moments that even surprised me when I read them. It’s messy in the best way.
Real Style: The show has surpassed a billion streams. Why do you think audiences connect so deeply with it?
Benjamin: I think people are craving sincerity. Virgin River doesn’t wink at the audience. It doesn’t rush past emotion. It leans in. In a world that’s moving at the speed of a thumb scroll, we offer something slower and more intentional. It’s about community. Forgiveness. Second chances. Romantic love, yes, but also friendship and family. And the setting doesn’t hurt. If your backdrop looks like a postcard fell in love with a forest, people tend to stick around.
Real Style: The show thrives on emotional intimacy. How do you prepare for those quieter scenes?
Benjamin: Those are my favorite days. For the quieter scenes, I actually try to do less. Less acting, more listening. If I’m really present with my scene partner, the emotion tends to take care of itself. I also spend a lot of time thinking about what my character isn’t saying. Brady is not exactly a “let me journal my feelings” kind of guy so a lot of his vulnerability shows up in what he avoids, or what he almost says. Sometimes the most powerful moment in a scene is the pause before the line.
Real Style: Is there a role or genre you’d love to explore next?
Benjamin: I would love to do a psychological thriller where the audience genuinely doesn’t know if I’m the hero or the villain until the last ten minutes. I’m also very interested in playing a real historical figure someday. There’s something about stepping into a life that actually existed that feels both terrifying and exciting. And if someone wants to cast me in a sharp, dark comedy where I get to be completely unhinged…I will happily volunteer. Also, if Taylor Sheridan is reading this, I already own a pair of boots and I’m very comfortable staring into the distance like I have a complicated past. Just saying.
Real Style: What advice would you give actors navigating film, network TV and streaming today?
Benjamin: Stay adaptable. The industry shifts constantly. The lines between film and television have blurred, and streaming has completely changed how stories are told. My advice would be to focus less on the platform and more on the material. A great script is a great script, whether it’s on network TV or streaming to someone’s phone on a treadmill. Also, treat every set like it matters. People remember how you show up. This business is smaller than it looks. And maybe develop a hobby outside of acting. It keeps you sane.
Real Style: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Benjamin: Still acting. Hopefully still surprising myself. I’d love to be producing more—telling stories from the ground up and maybe building out projects that mean something personally and creatively. And if I’m lucky, I’ll be balancing that with a lot of family time, a few adventures and a house full of noise. Career-wise, growth. Personally, depth. And ideally, fewer injuries from pretending to be tougher than I am.
With Season 7 of Virgin River arriving March 12 on Netflix, fans can expect more emotional turns, hard-won growth and the complicated charm that has made Brady one of the series’ most fascinating characters. As Hollingsworth continues to expand his career across television and film, one thing is clear: audiences haven’t seen the last of the surprises he has in store.