If autumn has you craving a warm drink, a soft blanket, and a comforting escape, Netflix’s Virgin River is the small-town romance series that delivers all the fall vibes. Often compared to Gilmore Girls for its charm and heart, the show follows Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), a nurse practitioner starting over in a remote Northern California town—only to find new beginnings, unexpected challenges, and a love story that sneaks up on her.
At the center is Mel’s tender, complicated, and deeply rooted romance with bar owner Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson). Like a Luke-and-Lorelai fast-track, their connection becomes the heartbeat of the series—steady, heartfelt, and always worth rooting for.
But Virgin River isn’t just about its main couple. The show thrives on its lovable community: Hope and Doc’s complicated history, Preacher’s gentle loyalty, the neighborhood gossip, and the messy-yet-redeemable townsfolk who make Virgin River feel as real as it is cozy.
Despite never hitting the global hype of Stranger Things or Squid Game, the show remains one of Netflix’s most consistent comfort hits. With six seasons available—and Season 7 on the way—it’s the perfect long, soothing binge for fall weekends.
Virgin River is streaming now on Netflix.
