Who Is Ava? Virgin River Backstory, Future & Who Plays Her
Although Virgin River season 5 is picking up right where it left off, that doesn’t mean that the series isn’t full of surprising tricks and twists, including a new character named Ava. Virgin River is a romantic drama currently streaming its fifth and latest season of Netflix. The series follows Melinda “Mel” Monroe, a nurse practitioner that answers a newspaper ad that brings her to the beautiful town of Virgin River, where she starts a fresh life that is complicated by new relationships and dramas.Virgin River season 5, part one was released in September 2023, and the second part is set to air in November.
Like any show that has run for five seasons, Virgin River has its tried-and-true cast. Some of the key components of the Virgin River cast include Mel, her love interest Jack, Virgin River’s mayor Hope, and Mel’s boss and Hope’s husband , Doc. However, in season 5, a new face comes in the form of Ava. For the small town of Virgin River, and for audiences, this is a major change, but not one that is totally unwelcome. However, who is Ava and what does she want?
Virgin River’s newest character Ava is played by Libby Osler. Osler earned her first role in 2007, appearing in an episode of Supernatural as Little Red Riding Hood. She went on to make other minor television appearances until 2014, when she appeared in Seventh Son. Since then, she has continued to appear in various television series, movies, and short films. Virgin River is her latest and biggest role in recent years. She appears in a total of 7 episodes so far, and has the potential to remain in the series for further installments. Libby Osler is 28 years old.
Libby Osler plays Ava in Virgin River season 5. Ava is the daughter of Lilly and the sister of Chloe and Tara. Although she lives in Portland full-time, she returns to Virgin River in order to be with her younger sister Chloe. Ava clearly isn’t a huge fan of Virgin River, preferring the fast pace of Portland, however, she sticks around when she begins getting sick. Over time, Ava begins to soften towards Virgin River, especially after befriending Mel.
Once again, Ava comes to Virgin River in season 5 because she wants to spend more time with her sister Chloe, who was born at the beginning of Virgin River season 1. When she arrives, it becomes apparent that, although her family resides in Virgin River, she doesn’t like it all that much. However, Ava is forced to stick around when she begins to fall ill, and luckily she has Mel to help her to the hospital and with her condition. As it turns out, Ava previously had a laparoscopic surgery for her endometriosis, and unfortunately, her symptoms have returned. The doctor suggests a hysterectomy, leading Ava to feel torn.
Despite the fact that Ava is suffering from pain and the decision to get the hysterectomy, she begins to warm up to Virgin River, and Mel in particular. Mel is incredibly supportive of Ava and attempts to talk to her about her struggles. Ava reveals to Mel that she never liked the thought of motherhood, but after spending time with Chloe, she wonders if she should keep the option open. Their friendship only strengthens when Mel and Jack save an unconscious Ava and Chloe from a housefire. In the end, Ava decides to get the hysterectomy, but freezes her eggs first.
Ava could most definitely return to Virgin River. At the end of season 5, part 1, Ava decides to stay in Virgin River, despite her sisters moving to San Francisco. From there, she also decides to sell her family’s farm to someone who will truly care for it, and ultimately, she sells it to Mel and Jack. It seems likely that Ava could return in Virgin River season 5, part 2, or even beyond, as a permanent resident of Virgin River. Perhaps she will pursue a romance or mother. Either way, it seems unlikely that Ava’s Virgin River story ends here.
