Typically, Virgin River characters love a backstory – but Hope’s mostly remains a mystery. Here’s everything we know about her past.
Every fictional town needs a charismatic mayor at the helm, and Virgin River’s Hope McCrea is exactly that. She’s also known for her complicated marriage to Vernon Mullins, having lived separately for twenty years before rebuilding their connection.
After Mel first appears in Season 1, Hope pretty quickly begins to meddle in Jack’s love life – though it’s arguably her own she should have been more wary of. Throughout the show, she’s also had a fairly stringent relationship with fellow resident Muriel, with the two finally becoming friends.
Fans know a lot about her present, but what about Hope’s backstory? Here’s everything you need to know.
Virgin River: What is Hope’s backstory?
It’s been pointed out by Virgin River fans on Reddit that Hope’s backstory is something that’s mostly skirted around, with few solid details to go on.
While Hope is a character that is mostly beloved by fans, that doesn’t mean she’s ever been the focal point of a storyline – either supporting the main cast or splintering off as a B-plot. With that in mind, it’s not too surprising that we know so little about her.
“Does Hope have any family?” user ErinSeb posted on a Reddit thread. “I need a refresher please. Any siblings? Nephews/Nieces? She seems to be one of the very few in VR without a single relative or am I mistaken?”
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“She’s only mentioned being married three times,” another user explains. “She tells Denny and Lizzie she moved to VR (so not born there) when it was considered an unincorporated community. She mentions to them that as the town grew with more people showing up, the needs changed. She helped establish the post office and general store (is this when she became friends with Connie?) and eventually drew up the town charter. She was nominated and elected mayor unanimously.”
The explanation continues: “She never says she moved with any family members, but appears to have done so as a young adult. She tells Lizzie earlier that her first marriage was when she was the same age as Lizzie (19.) Maybe she moved there with her first or second husband or afterward. She did meet Doc in VR after he moved there to start his practice.
“At the Christmas show, she has a conversation with Lizzie about her closeness to her mother. I believe this is the only mention of her family. I also think this is why she has developed a strong relationship with both Jack and Mel. They all have a ‘fish out of water’ quality to their lives.”
Another user adds: “She’s also supposed to be pretty rich. In the first season, Jack gives her crap about fixing up Mel’s cabin. He says something about them both knowing she has plenty to spare. I think Doc makes a similar comment at one point. They never really explain it further and I doubt being a mayor in a little town pays too high.”
Fans can expect to see Hope return in Virgin River Season 6, although she hasn’t yet been teased for any major narrative.