There’s no shame in seeking content that won’t leave you in a state of constant anxiety and existential dread. While many people enjoy the realistic thrillers and horrors that are full of action and suspense that keep viewers on the edge of their seats, sometimes real life is just scary enough to seek an escape in  television.

And when it comes to escaping reality, the farther and brighter the world portrayed on the screen, the more comforting it is to watch. This is why, for example, in the midst of the chaos of the holiday season, people tend to turn to Hallmark Christmas movies, which are known for being the sweetest, happiest, and cheesiest stories out there.

However, if you are more interested in the  TV series format, there is a great Netflix production that has managed to capture the Hallmark vibe and soap it up into a 6 season drama series. That is Virgin River in a nutshell.

Is Virgin River Any Good?

Virgin River, which premiered on Netflix in 2019, follows a nurse, Melinda “Mel” Monroe, who reaches a point in her life where she needs to start over and moves to the small town of Virgin River. Hoping to leave behind all the troubles of her past life, she only finds more as she gets involved with the town’s locals.

The show captivates viewers with its beautiful scenery and the undeniable chemistry between the lead couple, Mel and Jack, portrayed by Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson. But it’s not just the two of them that drive the story: Virgin River is full of citizens who all have huge skeletons in their closets.

Even though Virgin River doesn’t shy away from violence on screen, it doesn’t go dark either. The stories of murder, rage, addiction and the trauma of loss are portrayed in a gentle way that touches the viewer, but doesn’t push the emotions too far.

While some may call it mild and accuse it of lacking any soul, others believe that this is exactly the type of content that is needed on  television today. Very cheesy, almost trivially dramatic, not believable at all, but always with a comforting happy ending.

What’s even better about the show is the fact that it has already reached its 6th season and has no plans to stop. Although there is no indication as to when Season 6 will be released, showrunner Patrick Sean Smith has already made clear his intention to continue for at least another year.

If you need a little break from the stress, you should definitely give Virgin River a try. All 5 seasons of the show are available for streaming on Netflix.