When it comes to Netflix’s hit series Virgin River, audiences have come to expect an irresistible blend of heartfelt drama, emotional storytelling, and small-town warmth. But as it turns out,
what happens behind the cameras can be just as entertaining as the scripted storylines—and sometimes even more surprising. That was certainly the case during the filming of
Virgin River’s much-anticipated two-part Christmas special. Fans tuned in for festive charm, heartbreak, and revelations, but the cast themselves experienced moments that blurred
the line between performance and real life. Recently, Zibby Allen, who portrays the beloved Brie Sheridan, revealed on her podcast I Like You Very Much that one particular holiday scene left her unexpectedly emotional. To her surprise, her tearful reaction was met not with shared solemnity but with uncontrollable laughter from co-star Alexandra Breckenridge, who plays series lead Mel Monroe.
What unfolded was a behind-the-scenes moment that perfectly captures why Virgin River continues to resonate: it’s a show where joy and sorrow, tears and laughter, coexist seamlessly—both on and off screen.
A Pageant That Sparked Real Tears
During a conversation with castmate Teryl Rothery (Muriel St. Claire), Zibby Allen confessed that the show’s staged holiday pageant struck a deeper chord than she expected.
“I cried in the audience!” Zibby admitted, her voice tinged with both embarrassment and sincerity. “It was so stupid… but it was just so cute, and I got overwhelmed by it.”
The pageant itself was meant to provide lighthearted relief in a storyline otherwise steeped in serious themes. Muriel, played by Rothery, performed a cheerful “song and dance” number designed to inject humor into the holiday gathering. For most, it was a sweet but playful interlude. For Zibby, however, the performance unlocked a rush of unexpected emotion.
“I don’t know what came over me,” she continued. “It was just one of those moments where everything hit me—the lights, the music, the costumes. It felt so real, like we were in the middle of a true small-town Christmas celebration. And suddenly, I was crying.”
Rothery’s warm response highlighted the cast’s supportive bond: “Aww, you’re the best, Zibby!” she laughed, clearly touched that a simple scene could move her co-star so deeply.
Mel Monroe’s Unstoppable Giggle Fit
But while Zibby dabbed at her eyes, Alexandra Breckenridge was having quite a different reaction. Sitting nearby, Breckenridge found herself dissolving into a fit of giggles.
“Alex is like, for real?!” Zibby recalled on the podcast, mimicking Breckenridge’s incredulous look.
Breckenridge quickly defended herself with characteristic humor: “I was laughing at things that were going on. Not you… other things that were happening at the time.”
So what was so funny? The culprit was Trevor Lerner’s character, Bert, who stole the spotlight with his over-the-top holiday regalia. His costume featured twinkling lights and ornaments dangling from his beard—a visual sight gag that had Breckenridge struggling to keep a straight face.
“Like Bert, in his outfit? Come on,” Breckenridge said, still chuckling as she recalled the moment.
For Zibby, though, Bert’s appearance only added to the surreal beauty of the scene. “I know, I loved it! It touched me. With his ornaments hanging off his beard, it was so extra. I think I was just so moved because I was like, Is this real life? Are we actually in Virgin River? It was so precious.”
The contrast was striking: one actress overwhelmed by sentimentality, the other undone by absurdity. Yet both reactions underscored the magic of the series—the way it can make audiences laugh and cry at the same time.
On-Screen Drama, Off-Screen Laughter
While the cast enjoyed these lighter moments, the holiday special carried significant weight for their characters. Mel’s journey, in particular, was marked by sorrow and self-discovery. She grappled with grief following a miscarriage, wrestled with the heartbreaking decision to stop trying for a baby, and revealed that choice to her longtime partner, Jack (Martin Henderson).
As if that weren’t enough, Mel also uncovered the identity of her biological father, Everett Reid (John Allen Nelson). Though Everett initially rejected her, the storyline concluded with a tearful reunion that added depth and poignancy to the holiday special.
For Brie, meanwhile, the season continued to explore her resilience after trauma, hinting at both vulnerability and hope for the future.
That duality—heartbreak on screen, levity off it—has become Virgin River’s signature strength. “We live in both worlds,” Zibby noted on her podcast. “Sometimes we’re carrying these incredibly heavy stories, and sometimes we’re just cracking up behind the camera. That balance is what makes the show work.”
Why Fans Can’t Get Enough
The juxtaposition of laughter and tears in both the series and its production mirrors the very essence of small-town life, which Virgin River strives to capture. Just as in real communities, joy and sorrow walk hand in hand.
The Christmas pageant sequence, with Bert’s comical decorations and Muriel’s lively performance, was designed to bring levity. Yet Zibby’s emotional reaction proved that even the lighter moments in Virgin River carry a sincerity that resonates.
Meanwhile, Breckenridge’s giggle fit humanized the cast, reminding fans that even seasoned actors are not immune to the silliness of the situations they inhabit.
Looking Ahead to Season 6
As Virgin River gears up for its sixth season, fans are eager to see how these themes of joy and sorrow continue to play out. Will Mel and Jack find peace in their new path forward? Can Brie carve out her own happy ending after so much pain? And how will the ever-eccentric townsfolk continue to surprise us?
Behind the scenes, one thing remains clear: the cast’s camaraderie is as strong as the bonds between their characters. Whether wiping away tears or stifling laughter, they’re experiencing Virgin River’s highs and lows together—and that authenticity translates directly onto the screen.
The Spirit of Virgin River
In the end, the Christmas pageant moment stands as a microcosm of what makes Virgin River so beloved. For Zibby Allen, it was a genuine tearjerker that tapped into the spirit of community and belonging. For Alexandra Breckenridge, it was a hilarious reminder of the show’s whimsy. And for fans, it’s another story to treasure—one that proves the heart of Virgin River beats just as strongly behind the camera as it does on screen.
As the cast themselves demonstrate, sometimes life in Virgin River makes you cry. Other times, it makes you laugh until your stomach hurts. And occasionally—just occasionally—it does both at once.
Virgin River is streaming now on Netflix.
