If the Netflix actors look familiar, it’s because they’ve starred in other TV shows and movies you love.

While binging Virgin River, as one does, if you rack your brain trying to figure out where you’ve seen the cast before,

we’re with you—so we decided to solve the mysteries once and for all. And we learned a lot.

For instance, did you know that the show’s leading lady—Alexandra Breckenridge, we’re looking at you—used to be on This Is Us? Or that multiple members of the cast had stints on ABC’s never-ending hit, Grey’s Anatomy? OR that one cast member had a breakout cameo in the Christmastime classic, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? (The last one seems rather fitting, considering that after dropping season 5 in September 2023, Netflix is gifting us with two extra brand-new Virgin River holiday episodes on November 30.)

Have we piqued your interest? Scroll on to see all of the cast’s best pre-Virgin River roles. (Heads up: We’re throwing it back to a lot of TV shows and movies in addition to Virgin River, so there may be spoilers ahead!)

Alexandra Breckenridge

Our heroine, nurse practitioner and midwife Melinda “Mel” Monroe, who moves from Los Angeles to rural Virgin River with the hope of mending her broken heart, is played by the lovely Alexandra Breckenridge. Before Alexandra was Virgin River’s leading lady, she was on…

Martin Henderson

Martin Henderson plays Jack Sheridan, beloved Virgin River bar owner and one of the very first people Mel meets when she arrives. The two have an instant connection, which eventually turns into a very romantic—albeit, very tumultuous—relationship. But that’s part of what makes Virgin River so fun! Before Martin played Jack…

Tim Matheson

Veteran actor Tim Matheson plays Dr. Vernon “Doc” Mullins, the doctor Mel was hired to work with…without Doc’s exact approval. While this leads to a tense initial relationship, they eventually find common ground—and even become close friends.

Annette O’Toole

Annette O’Tool plays Hope McCrea, the town mayor and the woman behind Mel’s semi-secret move to Virgin River. (She’s convinced her ex-husband—then, later, husband again—Doc needs the help. He very much disagrees!)

Keith MacKechnie

Keith MacKechnie plays B&B owner and Jack’s friend and glamping business investor, Nick. But—sort-of-spoiler alert!—if you ask some fans, he may also be secretly playing the role of Mel’s long-lost father, possibly to be revealed in these holiday episodes.