The series capitalizes on small-town romanticization, an ensemble cast of lovable characters, and the “comfort food” style of storytelling. Although it doesn’t shy away from heavier topics, the show approaches them in an easy-to-digest way. Plus, the setting is picturesque, offering a sense of escapism from the real world.
The show became so popular that Netflix even has a Virgin River prequel in development, which soft-launched in Virgin River season 6. However, soon Virgin River will have some serious competition from not just one but two upcoming series that mirror all the positive attributes of the romantic drama.
Elsie Silver’s Wild Love & Chestnut Springs Series Are Becoming TV Shows
Two of the most exciting upcoming romance TV shows based on books are Wild Love and Chestnut Springs, which are both written by Elsie Silver. Wild Love is going to Prime Video, while Chestnut Springs is at Netflix. Both series are ensemble romance stories set in a picturesque small town, with each book focusing on a different couple.
Wild Love is set in the Rocky Mountain town of Rose Hill. The story includes plenty of emotional moments and twists for the characters, allowing them to see whether love is enough to get them through. Plus, they have romantic fluff and some steamy moments. It’s everything a romance fan could want.
The Wild Love & Chestnut Springs Books Are Spiritual Successors To Virgin River
As far as I’m concerned, Virgin River (and its sister series Sullivan’s Crossing) walked so that Wild Love and Chestnut Springs could run. They are built from the same literary DNA. Before it became a TV show, Virgin River was also a romantic drama book series that changed the main characters with each book while maintaining the same small-town setting.
This makes the three series feel like they’re related, even though Virgin River is actually written by Robyn Carr, not Elsie Silver. The similarities will undoubtedly make them competitors. However, it’s also good for the two new shows because Virgin River offers the basic framework for adapting a series the town is the connecting thread rather than the main characters.
Wild Love and Chestnut Springs would be smart to follow Virgin River‘s example by choosing one main couple to serve as the de facto leads while also making the other couples prominent in the story. As the show goes on, it can give more time to the other couples without entirely shifting to them as the lead couple.
Virgin River, Wild Love, & Chestnut Springs Will Likely All Run At The Same Time
Beyond the narrative similarities between the books, Virgin River will face serious competition because all three shows will likely air at the same time. Virgin River is six seasons deep with absolutely no signs of stopping. The show has continued to grow in popularity with each season, rather than fans falling off.
It’s probable that it has at least a few more seasons before Netflix cancels it. However, there’s potential for it to last much, much longer, given the fact that there are 21 Virgin River books, not counting anthologies or the Christmas novellas.
Wild Love and Chestnut Springs are still in development, but realistic romances tend to have a shorter turnaround time than other genres. As such, they will likely debut before Virgin River ends. It will be great for the genre to have so many small-town romantic dramas going at once, but it will create competition between authors, shows, and streamers.
Could Elsie Silver’s Shows Beat Virgin River?
While Elsie Silver’s shows are bound to be popular, I doubt they will be able to beat Virgin River. Robyn Carr’s adaptations have a massive head start over Elsie Silver’s upcoming TV shows. There will be at least seven seasons of the OG show. Plus, the prequel is in the works, and a spinoff called Thunder Point is coming. Even Sullivan’s Point, which the same author created, is struggling to reach the same success as Virgin River.
I also think Virgin River could potentially help boost the popularity of the two upcoming shows. While competition between shows is inevitable in our capitalistic world, cooperation is possible. Virgin River fans could offer Chestnut Springs and Wild Love a hand up, helping boost viewership. There’s enough room for all the shows to succeed.