Netflix may have just found its next Virgin River-style hit. Not long after adding Sullivan’s Crossing Season 3 to its platform, the romantic drama has surged up the streaming charts, showing that Robyn Carr’s small-town storytelling magic works just as well the second time around.
A Robyn Carr Double Hit on Netflix
Virgin River, adapted from Carr’s bestselling novels, has been one of Netflix’s crown jewels since its debut. The heartwarming (and heart-wrenching) drama has already spawned seven seasons, an eighth in the works, and even a prequel series.
Now, Carr’s other adaptation is getting the spotlight. Sullivan’s Crossing Season 3, which dropped on Netflix August 11 after airing on The CW, quickly became the #4 most-watched English-language TV show in the U.S. for the week of August 11–17, 2025. Globally, it ranked #6 in the same category—a clear signal the show has found a much wider audience than its primetime TV origins.
What Sullivan’s Crossing Is About
The series follows Maggie Sullivan, a talented neurosurgeon whose life is upended by legal troubles in Boston. Forced to return home to Nova Scotia, she reconnects with her estranged father, Sully, and faces ghosts from her past while forging unexpected new relationships.
A mix of small-town drama, romance, and emotional healing, the show shares the same DNA that made Virgin River such a phenomenon—family ties, complicated love stories, and a cozy yet dramatic setting that feels like home to viewers.
Why Netflix Success Matters
While Sullivan’s Crossing already has a loyal fan base in Canada (where it airs on CTV), its Netflix breakout proves it has the legs to thrive globally. The CW gave the series its U.S. airing, but Netflix’s reach has catapulted it to a whole new level of recognition.
And with Season 4 already set to premiere in 2026, its strong performance on Netflix may pave the way for more seasons—or even expand Robyn Carr’s universe further.
Our Take: A Perfect Holdover for Virgin River Fans
With Virgin River Season 7 not expected until 2026, Sullivan’s Crossing arrives at the perfect moment. The series scratches the same itch: romantic drama set against a beautiful backdrop, layered with themes of redemption, second chances, and finding love where you least expect it.
It’s not just a “replacement” for Virgin River—it’s proof that Robyn Carr’s stories resonate far beyond a single series. If anything, its early success may encourage Netflix to lean even harder into Carr’s catalog, giving audiences more of the heartfelt drama they crave.
Bottom line? Between Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing, Netflix now has not one but two small-town romantic juggernauts to keep fans hooked for years to come.
