This weekend, I did a thing that put me in a terrible situation.

That thing was accidentally becoming ridiculously obsessed and far too emotionally invested in a Netflix TV show called Virgin River.

You can watch the full Virgin River trailer below BUT only if you don’t let it put you off bingeing this show immediately. Post continues after audio.

I sayaccidentallybecause I went into bingeing the series having exhausted every other option of new(ish) shows to watch and came out with an irrational crush on a fictional character and a deep void after learning the next season wasn't coming out for ALMOST A YEAR.

Sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me back up and explain whatVirgin Riveris about and why it’s the best ‘worst’ TV show on Netflix right now.

Based on the books by Robyn Carr,Virgin Riverfollows nurse and midwife Mel Monroe as she packs up her entire LA life and runs away from her painful past to the snowy, sleepy fictional American small town of Virgin River.

When you realise you're obsessed with a fictional TV show. Image: Netflix.

Virgin River isn't all soapy romance, though. Image: Netflix.

There, she works as a nurse alongside the town's only doctor, a stubborn, grumpy man named... Doc. Mel also meets Jack Sheridan, the very attractive owner of the town's only cafe/bar/restaurant (called... Jack's), and the town's nosy and annoying mayor, Hope.

Despite all the chaos and drama that comes with living in a small town and having the hots for said town's only eligible bachelor, Mel still finds herself haunted by the dark memories she moved to Virgin River to escape.

Virgin River is soapy, romantic and fluffy, but also features heavier themes many of us can relate to like miscarriage, loss and grief. In other words, you'll laugh and roll your eyes while watching this show, but you'll also sob.

Virgin River cast.

We also need to talk about theVirgin Rivercast because there are a few things to unpack.

Alexandra Breckenridge as Melinda 'Mel' Monroe.

Prepare to have your mind blown because I'm going to tell you where you've seen Alexandra Breckenridge's face before.

Way back in 2006, Breckenridge played Monique inShe's The Manaka the 'hot girl' who was dating Amanda Bynes dressed up as her brother, a male teenage soccer player.

MIND. BLOWN. Image: Giphy.

Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan.

If you've watched another excellent show,The Gloamingon Stan, you will understand the complex feelings I have about Jack Sheridan, Mel's strong and silent romantic love interest inVirgin River.

This is because the man who plays him, New Zealand actor Martin Henderson, also plays the horrible villain guy Gareth McAvaney inThe Gloaming.

Before that, Henderson starred as Dr Nathan Riggs inGrey's Anatomyfrom 2015 to 2017.

How can one man be so evil, but so loveable? Image: Stan.

Tim Matheson as Doc Mullins.

Now, this is where things reach Illuminati levels because if you're a fan of other rom-com TV shows, you should know...

Tim Matheson, the actor who plays the old, grumpy, small-town doctor inVirgin River, also played Dr Brick Breeland, the OLD, GRUMPY, SMALL TOWN DOCTOR inHart of Dixiewith Rachel Bilson!

It's at this point you realiseVirgin Riveris basicallyHart of Dixiebut set in a wintery American town rather than a humid, southern American small town.

Same doctor, 19 years later. Image: CW.

Even more random is the appearance of Daniel Gillies, who plays Mark in flashbacks of the moments in Mel's old life that brought her to Virgin River.

Gilles is best-known for his role as Elijah Mikaelson inThe Vampire DiariesandThe Originals. And yes, I am basic and watch way too much trashy TV.

So true, Elijah. So true. Image: Giphy.

In short,Virgin Riveris a very excellent trashy TV show with all the essential elements a binge-worthy series must have.

Romance. Action. A cast of eclectic characters. Mysterious backstories. And most of all,tension.

So, if you're out of things to watch and need something to chuck on, or just unashamedly love soapy, romantic TV shows like me, giveVirgin Rivera go.

But don't come crying to me when you get to the end and find yourself in a deep void waiting for season two to come out, OK?

Image: Netflix.

Have you watched Virgin River? What are your best TV show recommendations right now? Tell us in the comments below.

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