While fans of Virgin River eagerly await the premiere of Season 7—which officially wrapped filming in June 2025—there’s another heartwarming update sure to keep spirits bright. One of the show’s most beloved stars is heading straight from the small-town drama of Virgin River to a sweeping holiday romance destined for the big screen.
Benjamin Hollingsworth, known for playing the complicated but lovable Dan Brady, has officially joined the cast of “The Christmas Ring,” a brand-new theatrical holiday film based on the novel by New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury.
And this isn’t just another cable Christmas flick—this is Hollingsworth’s big-screen holiday debut, and he’ll be starring opposite One Tree Hill alum Jana Kramer and Emmy-winning Frasier legend Kelsey Grammer.
A Holiday Mystery with a Romantic Twist
Set in present-day Columbus, Georgia, The Christmas Ring tells the emotional story of a young widow (Kramer) on a heartfelt quest to recover a long-lost family heirloom. When her search leads her to a charming antiques dealer—played by Hollingsworth—secrets begin to unravel, hearts begin to heal, and a powerful love story slowly emerges from the shadows of grief and mystery.
Grammer is expected to play Hollingsworth’s father, a character with key ties to the ring’s mysterious past, which will take the film back in time to World War II, promising a powerful intergenerational narrative that fans of Kingsbury’s work know all too well: redemptive, faith-infused, and deeply emotional.
“Brady” Is Back—But With a Christmas Twist
For long-time Virgin River fans, Benjamin Hollingsworth’s return to the holiday genre comes as no surprise. The actor has become a familiar face during the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas lineup, with roles in fan-favorite films like A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love and A Splash of Love.
But The Christmas Ring marks a major leap forward—both in scale and emotional depth. With the story shifting across timelines and themes of love, loss, and legacy, Hollingsworth is stepping into one of his most mature and nuanced roles yet.
And if the trailer buzz is any indication, he’s about to break a few more hearts—this time, on the silver screen.
When Does The Christmas Ring Premiere?
The film, produced by Fathom Entertainment, will hit theaters nationwide on November 6, just in time to kick off the 2025 holiday season. And for fans eager to dive into the story before the movie arrives, Karen Kingsbury’s novel hits bookstore shelves on October 21—a perfect warm-up for what promises to be an emotional cinematic experience.
If history is any indication (remember Like Dandelion Dust and The Bridge?), Kingsbury’s adaptations don’t just entertain—they inspire, uplift, and leave audiences misty-eyed long after the credits roll.
Will Virgin River Season 7 and The Christmas Ring Collide?
Here’s where things get exciting: while Netflix hasn’t locked down a premiere date for Virgin River Season 7, there’s growing speculation that it could arrive before the end of 2025. If so, fans could be treated to a double dose of Benjamin Hollingsworth this holiday season—as Brady deals with the fallout from Season 6’s darker turns, and as a tender-hearted antiques dealer helping a widow rediscover love in The Christmas Ring.
The timing couldn’t be more poetic—or perfect.
More Than Just a Holiday Film
At its heart, The Christmas Ring isn’t just a seasonal love story—it’s a reflection on legacy, healing, and the invisible threads that bind families, even across generations. And with Benjamin Hollingsworth at its emotional center, this movie may just become the next holiday classic for fans of Virgin River, Karen Kingsbury, and meaningful romances everywhere.
So while we wait for the snow to fall in Virgin River once again, we can warm our hearts in a theater seat this November—with The Christmas Ring.
