Love runs deep in the fictional town of Virgin River, whether it’s Mel and Jack’s passionate romance or the enduring connection between Hope and Doc. But beyond the screen, many of the cast members have their own love stories — some sweet, some surprising, and some long-lasting. Here’s a look at the real-life partners of your favorite Virgin River stars.
Alexandra Breckenridge & Casey Hooper
On-screen, Alexandra Breckenridge’s character Mel is in a committed relationship with Jack, but off-screen, the actress found lasting love with Casey Hooper, a professional guitarist for Katy Perry. The two met back in 2012 at a party in Los Angeles following a Grammys performance.
After two years of dating, they became engaged in 2014 and married the following year in September 2015. They now share two children: a son named Jack (born in 2016) and a daughter, Billie (born in 2017).
Tim Matheson’s Love Life
Tim Matheson, who plays Doc, has had a few chapters in his romantic history:
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Jennifer Leak: Matheson’s first wife was fellow actress Jennifer Leak, whom he met on the set of the 1968 film Yours, Mine and Ours. They were both in their early 20s when they wed that same year. However, their marriage lasted only three years, and they divorced in 1971. Sadly, Leak passed away in 2024.
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Megan Murphy Matheson: His second marriage began in 1985 with Megan Murphy. Together, they had three children — Molly (1987), Emma (1988), and Cooper (1994). The pair eventually divorced in 2010.
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Elizabeth Marighetto: Tim is now married to Elizabeth Marighetto. The couple first appeared together publicly on Instagram in 2016 and officially tied the knot in 2018. They’ve remained happily married since.
Benjamin Hollingsworth & Nila Myers
Benjamin Hollingsworth, who plays Brady in the series, married Nila Myers in 2012 after dating for two years and getting engaged just two months before their wedding.
The couple has three children: Hemingway Nash (born in 2016), Gatsby Willem (2018), and Juniper Bloom (2020). Hollingsworth once marked their anniversary with a heartfelt message:
“My fairytale began 7 years ago today. I believe in unconditional love and soulmates because I experience it every day and I’m madly in love with mine.”
Colin Lawrence & Lucia Walters
Colin Lawrence (who portrays Preacher) is married to fellow actress Lucia Walters, and their love story is truly one for the books. The pair first met in an acting class, and in a twist straight out of a romantic film, Lawrence proposed during what was supposed to be a fake audition.
Walters recalled the scene:
“We were doing a scene with lots of tension, and he suddenly went off-script, dropped to one knee, and pulled out a ring. I didn’t realize it was real until I saw the casting director tearing up. I said ‘yes’—still in character!”
They got married in 1999, and have two daughters. Interestingly, the couple also appeared together on Virgin River, although their characters didn’t end up together.
Annette O’Toole’s Relationships
Annette O’Toole, who plays Hope, has had two long-term relationships:
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Bill Geisslinger: Her first marriage was to actor Bill Geisslinger. The two were married from 1983 to 1993 and had two daughters, Nell and Anna.
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Michael McKean: After her divorce, O’Toole found lasting love with actor Michael McKean (Laverne and Shirley, This Is Spinal Tap). They had known each other since the 1970s, but didn’t develop a romantic relationship until they co-starred in Final Justice in 1998. They got married a year later in 1999 and have been together ever since.
