Virgin River‘s Ben Hollingsworth broke his silence on his costar’s stunning offscreen exit — together with why he’s apprehensive forward of season 8.
Hollingsworth addressed Lauren Hammersley and Marco Grazzini‘s shock exits, telling Leisure Weekly on Monday, March 16, “We discovered a couple of month in the past, when (showrunner) Patrick Sean Smith reached out to the solid members. He didn’t need us to search out out through an article, and I reached out to Marco instantly and supplied my condolences. But additionally, I let him understand how a lot the present gained’t be the identical with out him, and the way a lot he meant to all of us.”
Hollingsworth famous that this “is simply the beginning of nice issues” for Grazzini.
“He’s a gifted actor with loads to supply, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s main his personal sequence subsequent yr at the moment,” he added. “What individuals won’t notice about Marco is he’s such a sweetheart and a unbelievable man. We’re all going to overlook him. He provides this particular taste and texture to our set that can be sorely missed.”
After season 7 premiered on Thursday, March 12, Smith confirmed that Hammersley and Grazzini won’t be returning for extra episodes of the present.
“For me, I’m simply making an attempt to look to the longevity of the present and ensuring that the characters that we’re protecting have sufficient story engine in them to maintain going,” Smith informed Deadline. “So I can’t say there are any particular solid shakeups deliberate, however I feel we should begin to — as characters run their course — make some choices and usher in some new blood.”
Hollingsworth, in the meantime, admitted “it stings a bit” saying goodbye to 2 costars.
“However I do know that he’s off to do nice issues after this,” he shared earlier than weighing in on his personal considerations about his future on the present. “You by no means know. There are plenty of solid members and story traces on the present. A part of what makes any present good is the sudden!”
Hollingsworth stated the onscreen adjustments make him “a little bit apprehensive” about his character Brady’s destiny. Within the season 7 finale, Brady ended up in a stunning bike crash after lastly getting along with Brie (Zibby Allen).
“That’s just about on par for Brady’s luck,” Hollingsworth quipped throughout an unique interview with Us Weekly. “I suppose I simply can’t have good issues. I suppose Brady simply can’t have good issues.”
Hollingsworth hinted that “it gained’t be all easy crusing” when Netflix’s longest-running scripted sequence returns for season 8, including, “But it surely’s simply good to see (Brady and Brie) collectively.”
Whereas followers are holding out hope that Brady will survive the incident, Hollingsworth teased that viewers can’t “assume something” about his character’s destiny.
“I undoubtedly can’t spoil that. I feel that’s going to be one thing that the viewers is simply going to have to attend one other yr to search out out,” Hollingsworth informed Us earlier than confirming he is aware of the place Brady will find yourself.
He continued: “I’d love for Brady to be again. That will be good. I’d love for him to not die — particularly as a result of he lastly simply obtained what he wished.”
Virgin River is at present streaming on Netflix.