On screen, Virgin River is known for its heartwarming storytelling, emotional twists, and small-town charm. But behind the scenes? Sometimes things get a little less serious—and a lot more hilarious.
That was the case when Zibby Allen (Brie Sheridan) recently opened up on her podcast I Like You Very Much about filming the show’s two-part Christmas special. Zibby admitted she got unexpectedly emotional during a festive sequence—only to be met with uncontrollable laughter from her co-star Alexandra Breckenridge (Mel Monroe).
The Tearful Moment
During her chat with castmate Teryl Rothery (Muriel St. Claire), Zibby revealed that while watching a holiday performance scene, she found herself overwhelmed with joy.
“I cried in the audience!” she confessed, recalling Muriel’s lighthearted “song and dance” number during Virgin River’s holiday pageant. “It was so stupid… but it was just so cute and I got overwhelmed by it.”
Teryl responded with warm support: “Aww, you’re the best, Zibby!”
But while Zibby was moved to tears, Alexandra Breckenridge—sitting nearby—was having quite a different reaction.
Alexandra’s Giggle Fit
Instead of reaching for tissues, Alexandra dissolved into laughter.
“Alex is like, for real?!” Zibby teased on the podcast, pointing out her co-star’s bemused expression.
Alex quickly defended herself, laughing: “I was laughing at things that were going on. Not you… other things that were happening at the time.”
What was so funny? Apparently, it had everything to do with Trevor Lerner’s character Bert, who made a memorable entrance decked out in full holiday regalia—complete with ornaments dangling from his beard.
“Like Bert, in his outfit? Come on,” Alex said, chuckling.
“I know, I loved it!” Zibby replied. “It touched me. With his ornaments hanging off his beard, it was so extra. I think I was just so moved because I was like, ‘Is this real life? Are we actually in Virgin River?’ It was so precious.”
On-Screen Drama, Off-Screen Fun
While the cast was laughing (and crying) behind the camera, things were far more serious for their characters on-screen. Mel’s arc in the Christmas special was especially heavy—navigating grief after a miscarriage, making the difficult decision to stop trying for a baby, and revealing that choice to Jack (Martin Henderson).
If that weren’t enough, Mel also discovered the identity of her biological father: Everett Reid (John Allen Nelson). Though Everett initially rejected her, the heartfelt storyline concluded with a tearful reunion.
What’s Next for Virgin River?
The contrasting tones—the silliness of Bert’s Christmas lights versus the heartbreak of Mel’s loss—perfectly sum up why Virgin River continues to resonate with fans. It’s a show where sentimentality and humor live side by side, both on and off screen.
Now, as the series heads into Season 6, fans are eager to see how Mel and Jack’s relationship evolves, whether Brie finds her own happily-ever-after, and just how her bond with Everett will play out in the small town that always delivers surprises.
For Zibby Allen, those “stupid” tears may have been unexpected—but they also prove that the spirit of Virgin River hits home even for its cast. And for Alexandra Breckenridge? Sometimes all you can do is laugh.
Virgin River is streaming now on Netflix.
