Virgin River’s Annette O’Toole on Season 6, Hope’s Ex-Husband and Extra

Virgin River star Annette O’Toole talks about her character Hope’s journey in Season 6 — together with what it was like filming that stripper scene.

“That scene to shoot was a bit tough,” O’Toole, 72, instructed us solely. Us each week whereas promotion of the sixth seasonlaunched on Netflix on Thursday, December 19.

In mentioned scene, which takes place in episode 4, a stripper meant for Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and her associates – who’re celebrating Mel’s impending marriage ceremony at a bachelorette celebration – by accident present up for Hope McCrea (O’Toole) and her knitting circle at Jack’s Bar. Detours ensue.

Though filming was “actually enjoyable,” O’Toole mentioned it was additionally “bittersweet,” as Hope’s pal Muriel mentioned (Teryl Rothery) was awaiting a analysis of breast most cancers. O’Toole defined how she was “thrilled” for Muriel – who obtained a spicy lap dance from the erotic dancer, a lot to the elation of the opposite ladies – as a result of for her, “the worry and the sensation of your life, it’s my life completed.” a relatable
state of affairs.

“It’s an actual factor for everybody since you by no means know what’s going to occur. However particularly for older individuals,” O’Toole defined. “You don’t know what awaits you. So you must benefit from each second. And I like this scene for that.

For O’Toole, delving into the “sophisticated” dynamics and characterization of every lady within the knitting circle turned certainly one of her favourite elements of filming.

“They’re older ladies, they usually nonetheless have fantastic, wealthy lives and points and issues that they face, with one another and with their metropolis, which all of them love deeply,” he mentioned. she declared. “I like how dedicated all of them are to their neighborhood.”

Though the instances spent with these round him had been full of pleasure, O’Toole additionally confronted extra complicated conditions, emotional moments for Hope this season. Her ex-husband, Roland (John Ralston), was launched in episode six, and their tumultuous previous was revealed when she went to go to him about adopting a horse. O’Toole admitted We that taking pictures these scenes was “unusual” as a result of she had already concocted her personal previous for Hope in her head, noting that to her the character is “a widow twice over”.

Though he initially had a distinct view of Hope’s previous, O’Toole acknowledged that the introduction of an ex for Hope “is sensible” dramatically – and will function a possible storyline for Season 7.

“I don’t know the way it’s going to go,” she mentioned We. “I imply, I believe it’s good that they’re leaving the door open. So these are sufficient enemies that it is a good story to do it subsequent yr.

O’Toole added: “They’re I’m already writing season 7and I do not know what they do with all this. I did not discuss to [showrunner] Patrick Sean Smith. So, I believe it could be enjoyable. I believe anytime you’ll be able to add extra difficulties, not difficulties, however extra issues right into a relationship, not only a relationship, however only for a personality to cope with, the higher, particularly if it’ll be a sequence lengthy lasting. It’s essential to have these issues and all that to cope with. And never every little thing can go easily.

Hope, in fact, is comfortable in her present relationship with Doc (Tim Matheson). After years of ups and downs between them, season 6 noticed the couple delve into romance — one thing O’Toole “cherished” exploring.

“We are able to simply play with it,” she mentioned of her on-screen chemistry with Matheson. “We love doing this. And we put together, we attempt to fill within the holes which… which aren’t defined within the state of affairs. We simply overview them prematurely.

Whereas Season 6 gave Hope and Doc a much-needed honeymoon interval, Season 7 will possible be harder for the duo. First, there’s Roland’s return, in addition to the query of the specter of Doc’s follow, which was revealed within the remaining moments of the finale.

No matter what lies forward for the character, O’Toole is grateful to have the ability to “inhabit” somebody like Hope, whom she has grown to admire over the previous 5 years.

“She has a number of traits that I want I had,” she mentioned We. “I want I could possibly be extra of a pit bull typically. And she or he all the time is aware of what to say. He is only a actually large particular person inside. She has nice emotions for every little thing and nothing is trivial to her. I believe it is fascinating to play. There are lots of issues about her that curiosity me.

O’Toole added that whereas many individuals declare Hope is simply too “bossy” or “curious,” she sees that as an excellent factor, calling it proof that individuals are “” within the character. THE Smalltown former additionally gave credit score to showrunner Smith, who ensured Virgin River is a stability between genuine storytelling whereas nonetheless sustaining a way of escape.

“It is not simply, ‘Oh, it is a romantic present.’ Sure, it is lovely and there are all these lovable, lovely individuals operating round. But it surely’s actual too,” she mentioned. “It is one thing that folks can obtain, to have that feeling in a neighborhood the place individuals actually care about one another and are all the time there, all the time with a cup of espresso and [saying]’Inform me, what are you doing [need]How do you’re feeling?’”

Virgin River season 6 is now streaming on Netflix.

With reporting by Kat Pettibone