Before He Was Jack Sheridan, He Was Fighting Cursed VHS Tapes and Appearing in Iconic Music Videos
If you’ve recently binged (and re-binged) Virgin River and found yourself swooning over Martin Henderson as the rugged-yet-sensitive Jack Sheridan, you’re not alone. But while Henderson has firmly cemented himself as one of Netflix’s most beloved small-town heartthrobs, longtime movie buffs may have just had a major a-ha moment: That’s the guy from The Ring!
Yes, the man currently pouring drinks and mending hearts in Virgin River was once running from a cursed videotape in one of the most chilling horror movies of the early 2000s.
🎥 From VHS Nightmares to Redwood Romance
In 2002’s The Ring, Henderson played Noah Clay, the ex-boyfriend of Naomi Watts’ character Rachel. A journalist by trade, Noah gets pulled into the mystery of the eerie videotape that kills anyone who watches it — unless they can uncover its origin. He’s skeptical at first (classic horror trope), but after one viewing of the tape, things take a dark turn.
With a brooding stare and early-2000s shaggy hair (not unlike his Virgin River look, if we’re being honest), Henderson delivered a performance that helped cement The Ring as a modern horror classic.
💿 Wait, That Was Also Martin Henderson?
If your mind isn’t blown yet, let’s rewind (pun intended) to another blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in pop culture: Henderson also appeared in Britney Spears’s iconic 2004 “Toxic” music video. That’s right—before he was winning over Mel Monroe, he was seducing Britney mid-flight in one of the most unforgettable pop visuals of the decade.
From high-flying glam to small-town grit, Henderson’s career has always kept us on our toes.
📺 TV Veteran with Major Range
While Virgin River may be the series that introduced him to a new generation of fans, Henderson has racked up a pretty impressive résumé over the years:
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Grey’s Anatomy: He played the charming and complicated Dr. Nathan Riggs, a love interest for Meredith Grey.
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Off the Map: A short-lived Shonda Rhimes medical drama set in the jungle (yes, really).
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The Red Road: A gritty Sundance series where he starred opposite Jason Momoa.
He’s also starred in films like Smokin’ Aces, Torque, and Everest, proving that whether it’s drama, action, or romance, Henderson has serious range.
🍿 A Martin Henderson Marathon, Anyone?
With all this in mind, we’re officially declaring a Martin Henderson Weekend. Queue up The Ring for a chilling flashback, then cool off with a few Virgin River episodes (or all of them, again — no judgment). Throw in a Grey’s Anatomy arc or the Toxic music video for good measure.
Because whether he’s dodging death, dodging feelings, or just making lattes behind a bar, Martin Henderson always delivers.
Fun Fact: Henderson’s horror cred doesn’t stop with The Ring — he also starred in Ti West’s X (2022), playing a sleazy adult film producer. Talk about range!
