If you’ve spent any time in the fictional small town of Virgin River, chances are you know the name Calvin—and not for the warmest of reasons. As the menacing local gang leader, Calvin has made life complicated for Jack, Brady, and pretty much anyone who crosses his path. But off-screen, the man behind the role, David Cubitt, couldn’t be more different. With a decades-long career spanning Hollywood films, acclaimed television dramas, and fan-favorite series, Cubitt has quietly built one of the most versatile résumés in the business.
So, who exactly is the actor behind Virgin River’s resident bad guy? Let’s dive into the story of David Cubitt.
Who Is David Cubitt?
Born in England in 1965, Cubitt moved with his family to Vancouver, Canada when he was just six months old. He grew up surrounded by the arts, and it wasn’t long before he gravitated toward acting. After attending a performing arts academy, he threw himself into training and quickly found his way onto stage and screen.
“I always knew storytelling was where I belonged,” Cubitt has said in past interviews. That passion would become the driving force behind a career that’s spanned both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border.
Playing Calvin: Virgin River’s Villain
In Virgin River, Cubitt portrays Calvin, a figure who has loomed over the series since Season 1. As the head of a local gang with a not-so-legal cannabis business, Calvin recruits Brady (Ben Hollingsworth) into his operation—instantly setting up a rivalry with Jack (Martin Henderson), who wants nothing to do with his shady dealings.
Fans quickly recognized Calvin as one of the show’s most complex antagonists: ruthless yet calculating, threatening but never one-dimensional. His storylines consistently raise the stakes for Virgin River’s central characters, often blurring the line between small-town romance and crime thriller.
What Happens to Calvin in Season 4?
When Season 4 rolled around, Calvin’s story took an even darker turn. After Jack’s shooting left Brady arrested, suspicion began to shift toward Calvin. Although he attempted to keep a low profile, new evidence soon put him back in the spotlight of law enforcement. True to form, Calvin went to extreme measures to protect himself, reminding viewers that in Virgin River, the past is never truly buried.
While fans may love to hate him, Calvin has undeniably become one of the show’s most talked-about characters. And for Cubitt, it’s been a juicy role to sink his teeth into.
Beyond Virgin River: A Career of Range and Depth
Cubitt’s career stretches far beyond the mountains of Virgin River. His big break came in the 1993 survival drama Alive, where he starred opposite Ethan Hawke in the chilling true story of a rugby team stranded in the Andes. From there, he headlined the Canadian series Traders for three years before making the leap to Hollywood.
In film, Cubitt’s credits include Ali (where he worked alongside Will Smith), The Seventh Son, Stonewall, and the thriller Shut In. On television, he’s been a steady presence, appearing in Bates Motel, Ray Donovan, The American Embassy, That’s Life, Michael Hayes, and Robbery Homicide Division.
But perhaps his most recognizable role—before Virgin River—was starring alongside Patricia Arquette in the supernatural drama Medium. As Detective Lee Scanlon, Cubitt became a core part of the show’s success across seven seasons, balancing the series’ procedural elements with heartfelt human drama.
The Man Behind the Roles
Now 57, Cubitt splits his time between film, television, and family life, continuing to explore roles that challenge him. Unlike his on-screen alter ego Calvin, Cubitt is known for his warm presence and collaborative spirit on set.
With Virgin River continuing to expand its universe and Calvin’s fate still a point of intrigue among fans, Cubitt’s ability to embody such a menacing presence is proof of his skill—and of his lasting power as a performer.
Why He Matters
In the crowded world of television villains, David Cubitt’s Calvin stands out not just for his ruthlessness, but for his depth. The role has reminded audiences of Cubitt’s range, while also introducing him to a new generation of Netflix viewers who may now be heading down the rabbit hole of his earlier work.
Whether he’s playing a detective, a survivor, or a small-town gangster, one thing’s clear: David Cubitt has built a career on never being predictable. And that, more than anything, may be his greatest strength.
