For anyone waiting forVirgin Riverseason 7 to be released, the perfect replacement to tide you over until then has just released its third season, and it’s now streaming on CW:Sullivan’s Crossing. Since its debut in 2019,Virgin Riverhas been an undisputed hit for Netflix.Virgin Riverseason 7is currently filming, tyingOrange Is the New Blackas Netflix’s longest-running show. While season 8 hasn’t yet been confirmed, it’s likely it will happen, especially asVirgin Riveris one of Netflix’s less expensive shows to produce.
After the success of shows likeVirgin River, Bridgerton, and Starz’sOutlander, networks and streamers have finally figured out that romance is big business and that it would behoove them to start taking their female demographic seriously.CW also got in on the game withSullivan’s Crossing, offering up the more adult-oriented romantic drama after years of focus on the DC Berlanti-verse,Supernatural, and theVampire Diariesuniverse. With it, romance lovers have a whole new series to embrace.
Sullivan’s Crossing & Virgin River Are Both Based On Book Series By Robyn Carr
She Also Executive Produces Both Shows
Those who love Netflix’sVirgin River, even if they haven’t read the books, will likely be familiar with the name behind them, Robyn Carr. Carr also serves as executive producer on the first TV show adapted from one of her romance book series, so fans will be intrigued to know thatSullivan’s Crossing, now in season 3, is also based on a series of books by Carr, who, just like withVirgin River, serves as executive producer on the newer show. Her EP role on both shows has meant that, while the shows may take some liberties with the exact plots and timelines of the source material, they still remain true to the spirit of the novels and faithful to the characters.
Sullivan’s Crossingis a joint production between (among other entities) Canada’s CTV and the U.S. network CW. While season 3, episode 4 has already aired in Canada on CTV, the U.S. audience is a few episodes behind, with the most recent episode on CW beingSullivan’s Crossingseason 3, episode 2. With only two 10-episode seasons,Sullivan’s Crossingmakes for a quick binge-watch to catch up before starting season 3. It’s not just the bingeworthy aspect or the shared author that makes it a great complement toVirgin River, however.
Both Sullivan’s Crossing & Virgin River Have Very Similar Premises
They’re Romantic Dramas Set In Remote Small Towns
Give her credit, Robyn Carr sticks with what she’s good at, and what she’s good at is small-town romantic drama and feel-good storylines. That much was proven withVirgin River, and now fans can sink their teeth into another soapy romance withSullivan’s Crossing. Fans of the former will likely find similarities between the story ofVirgin River’s Mel Monroe andSullivan’s Crossing’s Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan), who leaves her promising career as a Boston neurosurgeon after a professional scandal to move back to Timberlake, Canada, and reconnect with her estranged father, who runs the Sullivan’s Crossing campground.
Of course, what you’re really wondering is if there’s a romantic interest for Maggie inSullivan’s Crossing, and the answer to that is yes. Sparks fly between her and Cal Jones (Chad Michael Murray), a handsome handyman with a mysterious past and a traumatic backstory of his own. LikeVirgin River,Sullivan’s Crossingis full of interesting supporting characters in the form of the locals, whose lives and loves intertwine.
S3 E2, “Out of the Blue”
June 28, 2025
One interesting difference is that whileVirgin River’s Mel is initially a fish out of water in the small Northern California town,Sullivan’s Crossinginvolves Maggie rediscovering her roots in Timberlake and realizing it’s where she’s meant to be. The differences between the two shows are enough to keep them from feeling repetitive, but the similarities betweenSullivan’s CrossingandVirgin Riveroffer the same satisfying beats, making them the perfect TV pairing.
New episodes ofSullivan’s Crossingair on The CW every Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST and are available the day after on The CW app.
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.
