‘Virgin River’ Star Alexandra Breckenridge on a “Very Draining” Season 5

Along with navigating the heavy moments, the star of the Netflix series also opens up to The Hollywood Reporter about the storyline she felt was “kind of goofy” and her hopes for Jack (Martin Henderson) and Mel’s relationship.
Following a dramatic and intense season five of Netflix’s Virgin River, Alexandra Breckenridge was more than excited to take on the light-hearted holiday episodes that closed out the two-part season.

This 12-episode season — which released its first 10 episodes on Sept. 7 — saw new relationships forming for several characters, Brady (Benjamin Hollingsworth) and Brie’s (Zibby Allen) shocking breakup, a wildfire that threatens the entire town, Brie’s difficult court trial for her sexual assault case and Jack (Martin Henderson) finding out his business is at the center of an illegal drug business.
But Breckenridge’s character Mel faces her own battles, including the emotional toll of suffering a workshop, which she says was “really difficult” and “very draining” to film.

Then, to add to the drama, Mel finds out in the part one finale that her biological father lives in Virgin River, of all places. Breckenridge recalled talking to showrunner Sean Smith about the storyline and saying, “’It is a little goofy, right?’ … And I remember when they were coming up with the storyline and being like, ‘Is it too much?’ I said, ‘Nah, it’s Virgin River.’”

Fortunately, during the season’s final two episodes that are now streaming, viewers get to see Mel and Jack embark on a merry scavenger hunt in search of her father, as the town prepares for another beloved seasonal event: the Christmas tree decorating contest.

Following these highly-anticipated holiday episodes, many unanswered questions still remain for the townspeople of Virgin River. But that’s something fans can look forward to in season six, including Breckenridge, who says she’s also excited to see what’s in store for Mel and Jack: “I feel that they have good days ahead of them, and they’ll just continue to become a stronger couple as we move ahead and move forward.”

Breckenridge talks with The Hollywood Reporter more below about her favorite, powerful episodes relationship this season, using personal experiences to help prepare for the emotional scenes surrounding Mel’s workshop, and her hopes for Mel and Jack’s.