Virgin River Season 6: Benjamin Hollingsworth on Brady’s Heartbreak and Redemption
Virgin River Season 6, which premiered on Netflix on December 19, 2024, has left fans reeling with its emotional twists, particularly for Dan Brady, played by Canadian actor Benjamin Hollingsworth. The small-town drama, set in the idyllic yet turbulent Virgin River, delivered a gut-punch finale for Brady, marked by betrayal, heartbreak, and a glimmer of hope for his ongoing redemption arc. In interviews with outlets like Yahoo, Entertainment Weekly, and HELLO!, Hollingsworth opened up about Brady’s devastating betrayal by his girlfriend Lark (Elise Gatien), his complex feelings for Brie (Zibby Allen), and what lies ahead for the fan-favorite character.
Brady’s journey in Season 6 is a rollercoaster. After distancing himself from the drug trade and taking on a new role as a volunteer firefighter, he tries to build a stable life with Lark and her daughter, Hazel. However, his lingering feelings for Brie, his ex, complicate matters. A pivotal moment occurs during Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack’s (Martin Henderson) wedding, where Lark overhears an emotional conversation between Brady and Brie. When confronted, Brady lies about his feelings, a choice Hollingsworth told Entertainment Weekly disappointed him: “He should’ve stopped dancing with her and said, ‘Listen, I need to talk to you. I still have feelings for Brie.’” Instead, this dishonesty leads to Lark’s devastating betrayal—she vanishes with Hazel and empties Brady’s bank account, leaving him with a zero balance.
Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith revealed to Soap Central that Lark’s actions were partly spurred by heartbreak. While her plan to con Brady was always in motion, overhearing his confession about Brie pushed her to act out of spite. Hollingsworth believes that had Brady been honest, Lark might have left without taking his money, highlighting the moral grayness of her character. This betrayal stings all the more because Brady’s relationship with Lark was driven by his desire to be a better man—not just for her, but to embody the version of himself Brie once believed in. “He’s forced to try to be this Brady 2.0 and step up to be the father figure for Hazel,” Hollingsworth explained, noting that his love for Lark was distinct but rooted in ensuring Hazel’s stability.
The season’s emotional peak, however, is the rekindling of Brady and Brie’s chemistry, culminating in a steamy scene on a pool table at Jack’s bar. Originally scripted as a bedroom encounter, Hollingsworth pitched the pool table idea to make it “more raw and unplanned,” a suggestion the producers embraced. “That pool table is only a quick glance away from my character,” he told Glamour, emphasizing its lasting impact on Brady’s story. This impulsive moment, sparked by Brie’s drunken voicemail confessing her feelings, complicates her relationship with Mike (Marco Grazzini), who proposes in the finale despite knowing about her infidelity. Fans are left wondering if Brie will accept or if a “who’s the father?” storyline looms, given her recent encounters with both men.
Brady’s arc resonates because of his transformation from a misunderstood “bad boy” to a man seeking redemption. Hollingsworth, who has played Brady since Season 1, told The Hollywood Reporter that he loves peeling back the layers of a character who wears a “mask” to hide his vulnerabilities. Brady’s tough exterior, shaped by a childhood without parental figures, softens through his love for Brie. “She cracks him completely open,” he said, crediting co-star Zibby Allen for their dynamic onscreen chemistry. Their working relationship, described as a “shorthand” for navigating complex scenes, has made Brie and Brady a fan-favorite couple, with social media buzzing about a potential reunion. One Instagram comment on a promotional poster noted, “THEY HAVE TO GET TOGETHER,” reflecting the fierce support for their arc.
Looking ahead, Hollingsworth teased a proactive Brady in Season 7, set to begin filming in March 2025. Speaking to Radio Times, he suggested Brady won’t let Lark’s theft go unanswered: “He’s the guy that would go looking for that.” He also expressed hope for a team-up with Mike, Brie’s potential fiancé, envisioning a “good cop, bad cop” dynamic that could mend their rocky past as ex-Marines. Despite the setbacks, Hollingsworth remains optimistic about Brady’s resilience. “He’s a survivor,” he told Entertainment Weekly, noting that Brady is no stranger to financial hardship and will find a way to chase his dreams, like owning a motorcycle mechanic shop.
Virgin River Season 6 has solidified Brady’s place as a complex, compelling character, with Hollingsworth’s performance earning praise for its depth. As fans eagerly await Season 7, the question remains: will Brady find justice, love, or both? For now, the pool table scene and Lark’s betrayal are the talk of the fandom, ensuring Brady’s story continues to captivate.
