Benjamin Hollingsworth steps into leading-man territory in this cozy Christmas love story.
Virgin River fans officially have a reason to trade in the sofa for a movie theater—and maybe upgrade to a large popcorn while they’re at it. Benjamin Hollingsworth, best known as brooding fan favorite Brady on Netflix’s hit drama, is taking center stage in The Christmas Ring, a brand-new holiday romance now playing in theaters.
Hollingsworth has quietly become one of Virgin River’s most beloved stars, helping the long-running series climb past a billion streams as it heads into its eighth season. On the show, Brady is the complicated character you shouldn’t root for—but inevitably do. In The Christmas Ring, he channels that same emotional depth into something gentler and warm-hearted, playing Ben Miller, a poetic antiques dealer who’s instantly charming the moment he appears on-screen.
The film follows Vanessa Mayfield, played by Jana Kramer, a military widow from Columbus, Georgia. She’s on a mission to track down her family’s missing Christmas ring—an heirloom with roots stretching back to World War II and a life-changing discovery on D-Day. The emotional stakes are already high before the romance even begins. When Vanessa steps into Ben’s antique shop in search of answers, the pair go from strangers with a shared mission to something much more tender.
Kelsey Grammer stars as Ben’s father, whose own secret threatens to upend everything just before Christmas. Jessie James Decker, Debbie Winans, and Megan Ashley Brown round out the cozy, feel-good cast.
Based on Karen Kingsbury’s newest novel, The Christmas Ring is purposefully nostalgic—in the best way. Kingsbury crafted it as a theatrical “Christmas love story like those of days gone by,” complete with twinkling lights, small-town charm, and a romance that blooms just in time to finish a theater-sized soda.
In an interview with Forbes, Kramer shared that Kingsbury’s involvement made the project irresistible. “Karen Kingsbury is an incredible author,” she said, noting that she knew the story would offer something special compared to typical holiday romances. Kramer also emphasized how rare it is for Christmas movies to get a full theatrical release these days. “I would just say—make it a fun thing for you and your family, because it is family-friendly.”
For fans counting down to new Virgin River episodes, seeing Hollingsworth swap Brady’s leather jacket for a cozy winter coat—and a heartfelt love story—is a holiday treat all its own.
The Christmas Ring hit theaters November 6 and continues rolling out nationwide through Fathom Entertainment. There’s still plenty of time to grab tickets, gather your fellow Virgin River lovers, and watch Hollingsworth fall in love under the glow of real movie-theater Christmas lights.
Happy holidays!
