Two beloved characters are permanently leaving the picturesque town of Virgin River, but their impact will resonate through the show's future seasons, according to actor Ben Hollingsworth in an exclusive interview with TheEntBase.
Following last week's confirmation that Marco Grazzini (Officer Mike) and Lauren Hammersley (Charmaine) won't return for Season 8 of the Netflix romantic drama, Hollingsworth expressed his sadness about their departure and reflected on what it means for the series moving forward.
"We learned about this a month ago when showrunner Patrick Sean Smith contacted the cast directly," Hollingsworth revealed. "I immediately reached out to Marco to share my condolences and let him know how much the show won't be the same without him. He meant so much to all of us."
Martin Henderson, Marco Grazzini, Colin Lawrence in 'Virgin River'. Netflix
Hollingsworth, who has portrayed fan-favorite Brady since the series debuted in 2019, believes this departure marks "just the beginning of great things" for Grazzini, who frequently appears in Lifetime and Hallmark films.
"Marco is an incredibly talented actor with so much to offer," Hollingsworth said. "I wouldn't be surprised if he's leading his own series this time next year. What fans might not realize is that he's such a wonderful person who brought a unique energy to our set that we'll deeply miss."
The actor admitted that saying goodbye to performers who've been with the show for years "stings a bit," but he remains optimistic about their future success. However, the exits have also made him "a little worried" about Brady's own fate, especially after Season 7's cliffhanger left his character's future uncertain.
Benjamin Hollingsworth as Brady in 'Virgin River' season 7. Netflix
"You never know what might happen," Hollingsworth noted. "With numerous cast members and storylines, part of what makes any series compelling is the unexpected twists."
In his own statement to TheEntBase, Grazzini acknowledged that character exits are common in long-running series like Virgin River, expressing gratitude for his six-season journey as Mike and excitement for his next career chapter.
Virgin River Season 7 is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
