If you’re already hooked on Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing, you’re not alone. These small-town romance dramas have become runaway hits, bringing millions of viewers into the heartfelt, healing worlds of author Robyn Carr. But get ready, because a third wave is coming—and it could be Carr’s biggest television success yet.
🌊 Welcome to Thunder Point: The Next Big Hit?
Carr’s Thunder Point series is officially in development for television, according to Deadline, and fans are already buzzing. The series centers on Hank Cooper, an Army veteran first introduced in the Virgin River novel Sunrise Point. Not only does Thunder Point tie into the Virgin River universe, but it also brings something fresh to the screen: a male lead at the story’s heart.
This could mark a game-changing moment for Carr’s adaptations—mixing the emotional depth of Virgin River with a new perspective, setting the stage for what could become the author’s third hit franchise.
📺 Carr’s Romance Universe Is Expanding
With over 22 Virgin River books, five Sullivan’s Crossing novels, and a full Thunder Point series, Robyn Carr has created a multi-town universe teeming with rich characters and heart-tugging storylines.
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Virgin River (Netflix, since 2019) follows midwife Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) as she starts over in a sleepy mountain town.
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Sullivan’s Crossing (CTV/CW) stars Morgan Kohan’s Maggie Sullivan as she rediscovers herself back in her Nova Scotia hometown.
These two series have captivated viewers with cozy backdrops, deep emotional arcs, and grounded drama—and Thunder Point looks poised to do the same.
🧑✈️ Why Thunder Point Is Different
Unlike its predecessors, Thunder Point focuses on a male protagonist, making it the first of Carr’s adaptations to offer that narrative shift. Cooper, a rugged yet emotionally scarred Army vet, inherits a property in the charming Oregon coast town of Thunder Point—and, in classic Carr fashion, quickly finds himself entangled in the lives, loves, and dramas of its residents.
This setup mirrors Virgin River’s signature themes—community, redemption, love—but with a masculine lens that could draw a wider demographic.
💘 Why Romance Adaptations Are Thriving
Thunder Point isn’t arriving in a vacuum. It’s part of a broader romance revolution on screen. From Bridgerton to Sweet Magnolias and Outlander, viewers are flocking to love stories that feel sincere, emotional, and escapist—especially in picturesque small-town or historical settings.
As Emily Henry’s books rapidly get scooped up for adaptations and networks continue to greenlight more romance-centric shows, Carr’s next TV venture feels inevitable, not risky.
📚 Readers Knew It First
Romance fans are some of the most devoted readers in publishing—and they’ve known for decades what TV producers are just now catching up to: these stories matter. Carr’s works consistently top bestseller lists because she writes with heart, warmth, and emotional intelligence. It’s no surprise viewers want to see that brought to life.
🔮 What’s Next?
With Virgin River heading into Season 7 and Sullivan’s Crossing prepping for Season 4, the stage is perfectly set for Thunder Point to shine. And who knows? If the show connects like its predecessors, Carr’s larger romance universe could keep expanding—from Grace Valley to her standalone novels and beyond.
So get ready to fall in love all over again. Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing were just the beginning. Thunder Point may be the next small town to steal your heart.
