For years, Virgin River has held a unique place in Netflix’s lineup. With its mix of breathtaking scenery, tender romance, and community-driven storytelling, it has become the streaming service’s ultimate comfort watch. But with Season 7 still awaiting an official premiere date—even after filming wrapped this summer—fans have been left yearning for their next cozy drama fix.

Now, another heartfelt series has quietly entered the conversation, and it’s quickly winning over viewers. Since arriving on Netflix on September 1, 2025, A Thousand Tomorrows has climbed the streamer’s charts at a pace few expected. By September 3, it had already cracked the top 10. Within two days, it was sitting comfortably in the top 5, where it continues to capture attention. For fans eager for the warmth and emotional pull of Virgin River, this could be the perfect holdover.

From the Page to the Screen

Like Virgin River, A Thousand Tomorrows began as a beloved book. Written by bestselling author Karen Kingsbury, the story is the first in her Cody Gunner series, and it was brought to life as a miniseries in 2023 for Pure Flix before making its way to Netflix this fall.

The series stars Colin Ford (Daybreak, Under the Dome) as Cody Gunner, a bull rider with a rugged exterior and a guarded heart. His world changes when he meets Ali Daniels, a gifted horsewoman played by Rose Reid (Finding You). Ali lives with serious health challenges, but her quiet resilience and unshakable spirit draw Cody in, pushing him to confront his own pain and fears.

Directed by Cassidy Lunnen, the show also features Anne Leighton, Kate Easton, Cole Sibus, K.C. Clyde, James Healy Jr., James Austin Kerr, C.K. Bolado, Triana Browne, and Alexandra Harris, rounding out a cast that emphasizes authenticity and emotional truth.

Why A Thousand Tomorrows Feels Familiar

The parallels to Virgin River are striking. Both are rooted in literary worlds (Virgin River from Robyn Carr’s best-selling novels), and both use romance as the entry point to explore deeper questions of love, healing, and belonging.

Where Virgin River captures the small-town spirit through Mel and Jack’s journey in the Northern California mountains, A Thousand Tomorrows leans into the rugged rhythms of rodeo life and the bonds of a faith-driven community. At its heart, though, the themes overlap: personal loss, second chances, and the way love—whether romantic or communal—has the power to transform.

For Virgin River fans, this means slipping into A Thousand Tomorrows feels like sliding into a familiar rhythm. The landscape may look different—dusty arenas instead of misty forests—but the emotional payoff is comfortingly similar.

A Cozy, Faith-Infused Drama

One key distinction is A Thousand Tomorrows’ emphasis on faith and spirituality. While Virgin River often grounds itself in human resilience and the support of community, Kingsbury’s adaptation leans more overtly into questions of belief, divine purpose, and finding strength through faith.

Yet, this added layer doesn’t alienate fans of secular drama—it enriches the emotional journey. For many viewers, the combination of romance, adversity, and a search for meaning creates a poignant counterbalance to the action-heavy series often dominating the streaming charts.

Why Now?

So why is A Thousand Tomorrows resonating so strongly in 2025? Timing may be everything. With Virgin River fans anxiously awaiting Season 7—knowing that the beloved series has already been renewed for Season 8 but still lacking a premiere date—audiences are craving something that captures the same heartwarming essence. Netflix’s decision to add this series to its library couldn’t have been better timed.

Its sudden climb into the streamer’s top 5 signals a hunger for slower, cozier storytelling in a television era often dominated by thrillers, sci-fi epics, and dark dramas. Viewers are showing, yet again, that there’s room at the top for stories about love, resilience, and community.

Two Shows, One Spirit

At the end of the day, Virgin River and A Thousand Tomorrows are kindred spirits. They remind us that not every compelling story has to hinge on cliffhangers or shocking twists. Sometimes, the greatest drama lies in the quiet courage of ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges—and finding love along the way.

As fans count down the days to Mel and Jack’s return in Virgin River Season 7, A Thousand Tomorrows offers a gentle, heartfelt reminder that there are other towns, other romances, and other communities waiting to welcome them in.

And with both series now streaming on Netflix, there’s never been a better time to settle in, press play, and let yourself get swept away.