Virgin River fans have been left fuming at Lizzie and Denny for a controversial decision they have made regarding their baby.

Grayson Gurnsey and Sarah Dugdale in Virgin River

Grayson Gurnsey and Sarah Dugdale in Virgin River (Image: Netflix)

Virgin River enthusiasts have slammed Lizzie (played by Sarah Dugdale) and Denny (played by Kai Bradbury) for their contentious decision about their unborn child.

As Netflix’s beloved romantic drama launched its sixth season, a pregnant Lizzie was eager to meet her baby, and fans were also excited to see how the storyline would develop.

Yet, the journey to parenthood promises more than just the usual hurdles, as she and Denny—whom some viewers profess to ‘hate’ for a notable reason—confronted a tough choice.

Despite being related to a doctor, Vernon ‘Doc’ Mullins (Tim Matheson), and having a close bond with nurse practitioner Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), the pair opted against prenatal testing for the disease, baffling and worrying fans over the baby’s health risks.

A Reddit user expressed their dismay, lambasting the duo’s decision: “Not opting for prenatal testing for HD is for me the weirdest (and most selfish) turn of events with Doc as the grandfather of the baby, and Mel guiding Liz through the pregnancy and all.”

Lizzie

Lizzie was pregnant and excited to welcome her child (Image: Netflix)

They added, “It’s a 50% chance of passing it on! The burden of care for caregivers is very high.”

“I have a health science background and I am used to series being unrealistic and I am okay with that (like applying a tourniquet but the person it’s being applied on is not screaming bloody murder…), but this HD baby stuff is next level. Anyone else who feels this way?

The comment resonated with others, as one replied: “Honestly, it’s irresponsible to casually have children when there is a 50 percent chance they will have a horrifying genetic disease and early death.”

Another chimed in: “Yes, it’s a preposterous storyline. I don’t even want to watch any more.”

Sarah Dugdale as Lizzie in Virgin River

Lizzie is believed to be ‘hiding something’ with her pregnancy (Image: Netflix)

Some Virgin River aficionados theorize a separate motive behind Lizzie’s reticence to test the child for Huntington’s—an astute viewer suggested: “OK, the whole reason she won’t genetic test for Huntington’s is because the baby is likely not Denny’s correct it’s supposedly Ricky’s (Grayson Gurnsey).”

There’s also speculation among fans that Parker (Markian Tarasiuk), Lizzie’s former flame who reappeared in season three, could be the father.

Those eagerly following Virgin River must hang tight until the anticipated seventh season to get answers.

Virgin River is available to stream on Netflix.