‘Virgin River’s Messiest Character Turned Out to Be Its Best md20

For six seasons, Virgin River has given us small-town sensibilities, saccharine romances, and slow-burning tales. More than likely, fans will reference Jack (Martin Henderson) and Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) as the show’s core for these reasons alone. Still, the most intriguing character isn’t part of that duo. It’s Dan Brady (Ben Hollingsworth), the Marine-turned-tortured-antihero of the town, whose inner conflict and constant battles with doing good or bad make him the most explosive and compelling performer in Netflix’s smash hit.

Why Brady Stands Out in Virgin River

Brady wasn’t written as a straightforward hero, which is precisely why he works. His storylines have carried far more moral complexity than the town’s central romances, from his questionable employment with Calvin’s (David Cubitt) drug operation to his inability to outrun mistakes from his past. Unlike Jack, who represents stability, or Mel, who embodies healing, Brady is defined by conflict. He wants to be better, but his path is littered with detours, betrayals, and emotional fallout. That makes him far more human than most of Virgin River’s ensemble.

Hollingsworth has leaned into this duality since Brady’s first appearance, showcasing that he’s neither purely villainous nor fully redeemed. That ambiguity is rare in a series where good and evil often split down clear lines. Hollingsworth himself has said Brady is driven by “an inner storm,” and it shows. Even when Brady does the right thing—like helping Spencer (Chad Rook) escape instead of killing him—there’s a sense that he’s only one choice away from spiraling again. It’s a balancing act that keeps viewers guessing in a way Jack and Mel’s drama simply doesn’t.

The Future of Brady in Season 7

Image via Netflix

Season 6 put this tension into agonizing perspective. Brady’s romance with Lark (Elise Gatien) initially seemed to be a step in the right direction, offering him a chance to settle down and even serve as a father figure in Hazel’s (Ava Anton) life. Instead, it imploded spectacularly, with Brady left robbed of his savings and blindsided by betrayal. The reveal was dramatic by Virgin River standards. Still, it was effective in underscoring the tragedy of Brady’s character: No matter how far he goes, his wrong decisions and old tendencies seem to follow him.

And yet, audiences root for him anyway. Part of it has to do with his undeniable chemistry with Brie (Zibby Allen), Jack’s sister. It’s messy, unstable, and full of baggage that neither of them seems able to escape. While Mel and Jack’s fairytale romance is a sure thing, Brady and Brie’s love is unstable and uncertain — one that could just as easily implode as it could turn into something true.

The push and pull between Brady, Brie, and Mike (Marco Grazzini) heading into Season 7 gives the show a genuine romantic triangle rather than the usual will-they-won’t-they dynamic.

What keeps him from becoming a one-note bad boy is that Virgin River insists on giving him room for growth. Hollingsworth has been vocal about Brady’s missteps being part of his larger arc toward redemption. He’s flawed, he backslides, and sometimes he makes the worst possible decision, but that unpredictability makes him the most narratively rich character the series has. When Mel or Jack hit a conflict, we know how they’ll resolve it. With Brady, the only certainty is uncertainty.

As Virgin River heads into Season 7, Brady is positioned at a crossroads once again: Facing the fallout of his feelings for Brie and deciding what kind of man he wants to be. That question is more compelling than whether Mel and Jack will stay happily married or which newcomer will shake up the town next. The truth is simple — Brady is the engine that keeps Virgin River from becoming too comfortable. He may not always be likable, but he’s easily the show’s best character.