Since its debut on Netflix on July 8, 2025, Sullivan’s Crossing has surged to the top of the streaming charts, captivating audiences with its blend of small-town charm, slow-burning romance, and emotional depth. Adapted from Robyn Carr’s novel series, the Canadian drama follows neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan) as she returns to her hometown of Timberlake, Nova Scotia, after a professional scandal upends her life in Boston. There, she grapples with her estranged father, Sully (Scott Patterson), reconnects with her roots, and sparks a romance with the enigmatic Cal Jones (Chad Michael Murray). For fans who’ve binged the first two seasons and are eagerly awaiting Season 3 in August, the search for similar shows offering romance, rugged pasts, and emotional reckonings is on. Fortunately, Netflix and other platforms are brimming with small-town dramas that deliver the same heartwarming yet dramatic vibes. Here are five must-watch series—Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hart of Dixie, Firefly Lane, and Ransom Canyon—that are perfect for Sullivan’s Crossing fans craving more cozy, character-driven stories.

The Allure of Sullivan’s Crossing

Sullivan’s Crossing has struck a chord with viewers for its relatable exploration of second chances and family reconciliation, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Nova Scotia. Maggie’s journey from a high-flying neurosurgeon to a woman confronting her past resonates deeply, especially as she navigates her strained relationship with Sully and a budding romance with Cal, a local with his own mysterious history. The show’s appeal lies in its balance of soapy drama—legal troubles, a surprise pregnancy, and a heart attack cliffhanger—with the comforting familiarity of a tight-knit community. Its connection to Virgin River, both penned by Robyn Carr and produced by Roma Roth, makes it a natural fit for fans of small-town tales where personal growth and romance intertwine. With Season 3 set to premiere on Netflix in August 2025, fans are already looking for their next obsession to fill the gap. Below, we dive into five series that capture the same emotional and romantic essence, each offering unique spins on small-town life, rugged pasts, and heartfelt reckonings.

1. Virgin River: The Quintessential Small-Town Romance

For Sullivan’s Crossing fans, Virgin River is the most obvious next watch, and it’s no surprise why—it’s Netflix’s longest-running scripted drama, with six seasons available and an eighth already greenlit. Based on Robyn Carr’s novel series, Virgin River follows nurse practitioner Melinda “Mel” Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) as she moves from Los Angeles to the remote Northern California town of Virgin River seeking a fresh start after personal tragedy. Like Maggie, Mel is a medical professional escaping a tumultuous past, only to find herself entangled in the lives and dramas of a close-knit community.

The show’s heart lies in Mel’s evolving romance with Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson), a former Marine and local bar owner with his own emotional baggage. Their slow-burn relationship, punctuated by love triangles, surprise pregnancies, and small-town secrets, mirrors the dynamic between Maggie and Cal in Sullivan’s Crossing. The series also delves into the lives of supporting characters, such as Doc Mullins (Tim Matheson) and Hope McCrea (Annette O’Toole), whose struggles with aging, health, and relationships add depth to the narrative. Virgin River excels at blending cozy vibes with high-stakes drama—think wildfires, drug rings, and family betrayals—making it a perfect match for fans craving emotional intensity.

The parallels between Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing are striking: both feature strong female leads in the medical field, picturesque rural settings, and themes of healing from past wounds. The California redwoods of Virgin River provide a visual counterpart to Nova Scotia’s lush landscapes, while the community’s warmth and quirks echo Timberlake’s charm. With cliffhangers like those in Sullivan’s Crossing, Virgin River keeps viewers hooked, making it an essential binge for fans. Stream it on Netflix to dive into Mel’s journey and discover why it’s a fan favorite.

2. Sweet Magnolias: Southern Charm and Lifelong Friendships

Another Netflix gem, Sweet Magnolias transports viewers to Serenity, South Carolina, a fictional town where everyone knows your name and your business. Based on Sherryl Woods’ novel series, the show centers on three lifelong friends—Maddie Townsend (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Helen Decatur (Heather Headley), and Dana Sue Sullivan (Brooke Elliott)—as they navigate love, career, and family challenges. Unlike Sullivan’s Crossing’s fish-out-of-water premise, Sweet Magnolias focuses on women deeply rooted in their hometown, yet it shares the same emphasis on emotional reckonings and romantic entanglements.

Maddie, recently divorced, mirrors Maggie’s quest for a fresh start as she rebuilds her life and opens a spa with her friends. Her slow-burn romance with Cal Maddox (Justin Bruening), a local baseball coach, echoes the chemistry-driven tension of Maggie and Cal Jones, complete with complications from past relationships and personal insecurities. The show’s strength lies in its portrayal of female friendship, with the trio supporting each other through divorce, parenting struggles, and career ambitions. Like Sullivan’s Crossing, Sweet Magnolias balances heartwarming moments with soapy twists—think love triangles, custody battles, and hidden secrets—set against a backdrop of Southern hospitality.

The small-town vibe of Serenity, where community events like festivals and fundraisers are central, feels akin to Timberlake’s close-knit campground community. Fans of Sullivan’s Crossing will appreciate the show’s focus on intergenerational dynamics, as Maddie’s teenage son and Helen’s mentorship of a young lawyer add layers of family drama. With four seasons available on Netflix and a fifth in production, Sweet Magnolias offers plenty of episodes to satisfy viewers craving more small-town romance and emotional depth.

3. Hart of Dixie: A Quirky Southern Escape

For fans who love Sullivan’s Crossing’s blend of romance and small-town quirks, Hart of Dixie is a delightful option, available on Netflix. This series follows Dr. Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson), a New York surgeon who relocates to Bluebell, Alabama, after inheriting a medical practice. Like Maggie, Zoe is a medical professional thrust into a rural setting, facing resistance from the local doctor, Brick Breeland (Tim Matheson, who also plays Doc in Virgin River), and navigating a culture clash with the town’s eccentric residents.

Hart of Dixie leans lighter than Sullivan’s Crossing, with a comedic tone and quirky elements like a pet alligator named Burt Reynolds and over-the-top town festivals. Yet, it shares the same focus on romance and personal growth, as Zoe finds herself in a love triangle with bartender Wade Kinsella (Wilson Bethel) and lawyer George Tucker (Scott Porter). The show’s exploration of Zoe’s journey to belong in Bluebell mirrors Maggie’s struggle to reconnect with her roots, while the romantic entanglements and family secrets—Zoe’s mysterious parentage, for instance—add drama akin to Sullivan’s Crossing’s twists.

The show’s Southern charm, vibrant characters, and emphasis on community make it a cozy yet engaging watch. Its four seasons offer a complete story arc, perfect for binging, and the parallels to Sullivan’s Crossing—from the medical professional lead to the small-town setting—make it a natural fit for fans. If you enjoyed Maggie’s emotional journey and the scenic beauty of Timberlake, Bluebell’s charm and Zoe’s romantic misadventures will keep you hooked.

4. Firefly Lane: Friendship and Emotional Depth

While Firefly Lane isn’t strictly a small-town drama, its emotional resonance and focus on personal reinvention make it a compelling pick for Sullivan’s Crossing fans. Available on Netflix, this time-hopping series, based on Kristin Hannah’s novel, follows the lifelong friendship between Kate Mularkey (Sarah Chalke) and Tully Hart (Katherine Heigl) from their teenage years in the 1970s to their 40s in Seattle. Like Maggie, both women grapple with past traumas and seek to redefine their lives, making the show a poignant exploration of emotional reckonings.

Firefly Lane shares Sullivan’s Crossing’s bittersweet tone, blending heartwarming moments with heavy themes like loss, betrayal, and illness. While it lacks the rural setting of Timberlake, the show’s focus on close relationships—particularly Kate and Tully’s bond—echoes the community dynamics of Sullivan’s Crossing. Romantic subplots, including Kate’s relationship with Johnny Ryan (Ben Lawson) and Tully’s complicated love life, add the swoon-worthy element fans crave, though the friendships take center stage.

The series’ two seasons deliver a complete story, with a narrative that jumps between decades to reveal the characters’ rugged pasts. For Sullivan’s Crossing viewers who connected with Maggie’s journey of self-discovery and family reconciliation, Firefly Lane offers a similar emotional pull, amplified by stellar performances and a nostalgic soundtrack. Its 251 million hours viewed for Season 2 alone attest to its popularity, making it a worthy addition to your watchlist.

5. Ransom Canyon: Texas-Sized Drama and Romance

For those craving a rugged, small-town drama with a Western twist, Ransom Canyon is a recent Netflix hit that’s perfect for Sullivan’s Crossing fans. Set in the fictional Texas town of Ransom Canyon, this series, which debuted in 2025, centers on rancher Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel) and dancehall owner Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly). Their slow-burn romance, set against a backdrop of family feuds, land disputes, and hidden secrets, mirrors the emotional and romantic stakes of Maggie and Cal’s relationship.

Like Sullivan’s Crossing, Ransom Canyon explores characters with complex pasts—Staten is reeling from a tragic loss, while Quinn navigates her role in a tight-knit community. The show’s Texas landscape, with its sprawling ranches and dusty vistas, contrasts with Nova Scotia’s greenery but delivers the same sense of place as a character in itself. The series’ blend of romance, family drama, and small-town conflicts, including a battle over land rights, keeps the stakes high, much like the legal and personal challenges in Sullivan’s Crossing.

With a second season already confirmed despite mixed critical reviews, Ransom Canyon has proven its appeal to Netflix audiences, climbing the Top 10 charts alongside Sullivan’s Crossing. Its soapy twists and heartfelt moments make it an ideal follow-up for fans seeking more drama and romance in a rural setting.

Why These Shows Resonate

The appeal of Sullivan’s Crossing and these five series lies in their shared ingredients: small-town settings that feel like characters themselves, protagonists confronting their pasts, and romances that evolve amidst personal and community challenges. Whether it’s the redwoods of Virgin River, the Southern charm of Sweet Magnolias and Hart of Dixie, the emotional depth of Firefly Lane, or the rugged vistas of Ransom Canyon, each show offers a unique take on the themes of healing, love, and belonging. These series also tap into the trend of female-led dramas, with strong protagonists like Maggie, Mel, and Maddie driving the narrative through their resilience and vulnerability.

The small-town drama genre has become a Netflix staple, with Virgin River and Sweet Magnolias consistently ranking among the platform’s top shows. Sullivan’s Crossing’s rapid rise to the No. 2 spot on Netflix’s Top 10 list by July 9, 2025, reflects the enduring popularity of this formula. The genre’s success stems from its ability to balance comfort viewing with emotional stakes, offering viewers an escape into worlds where problems are resolved with heart and community support. For Sullivan’s Crossing fans, these shows provide a natural continuation of that experience, each with its own flavor of romance and redemption.

Broader Context and Streaming Trends

The rise of Sullivan’s Crossing highlights Netflix’s dominance in the small-town drama genre, a trend that began with hits like Virgin River and Bridgerton. These shows, often adapted from romance novels, cater to audiences seeking emotional narratives with relatable characters and picturesque settings. The involvement of Robyn Carr and Roma Roth in both Sullivan’s Crossing and Virgin River underscores Netflix’s strategy of leveraging proven creative talent to deliver binge-worthy content. Similarly, Sweet Magnolias and Ransom Canyon capitalize on the appeal of novel-based dramas, while Hart of Dixie and Firefly Lane add variety with their unique tones.

Social media buzz, particularly on X, has amplified the visibility of Sullivan’s Crossing, with fans comparing it to Virgin River and praising its scenic beauty and emotional depth. However, some viewers have noted its predictable plotlines, a critique also leveled at similar shows. Despite this, the genre’s popularity endures, as evidenced by Virgin River’s 238 million hours viewed for Season 5 and Sweet Magnolias’ consistent presence on Netflix’s Top 10. As Sullivan’s Crossing prepares for its third season, these five series offer fans a chance to stay immersed in the small-town drama world while awaiting Maggie’s next chapter.

Conclusion

Sullivan’s Crossing has become a Netflix sensation, filling the void for fans of cozy, romantic dramas with its tale of Maggie Sullivan’s return to Timberlake. For those who’ve fallen for its blend of small-town charm, slow-burn romance, and emotional reckonings, Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hart of Dixie, Firefly Lane, and Ransom Canyon are the perfect next watches. Each series delivers the same mix of heartwarming moments, rugged pasts, and community-driven stories, from Mel’s fresh start in California to the friendships of Serenity and the ranches of Ransom Canyon. Available on Netflix and other platforms, these shows ensure that Sullivan’s Crossing fans can keep the small-town vibes alive, offering hours of binge-worthy drama and romance. So, grab a blanket, settle in, and dive into these captivating worlds—your next obsession awaits.