Tim Matheson Was Worried About Being Typecast When He Was Scouted forVirgin River

Mar. 15, 2025

Tim Matheson in ‘Virgin River’.Photo:Netflix

Netflix

Tim Mathesoninitially wasn’t sure ifVirgin Riverwas the right fit.

In the book, he noted the similarities between the role he was being scouted for – local physician Vernon “Doc” Mullins – and his previous turn as local medical practitioner Dr. Brick Breeland inHart of Dixie.

Tim Matheson in ‘Hart of Dixie’.CW/Everett Collection

CW/Everett Collection

“There are some timeless storylines we can always go back to. And yes,Virgin Riverhad some similarities toHart of Dixie,” Matheson wrote. “Even my agent had figured out the new Tim’s-a-young-cowboy phase of my career had become the Tim’s-a-curmudgeonly-doctor phase.”

But there were things that drew him to the romantic drama, including that he “genuinely enjoyed the script.”

“I figured there was no way they would want me for this after 80 episodes of me playing a similar character on the WB,” the actor wrote, of auditioning for the part. “While typecasting often works, I’d too often heard, ‘Oh, we’ve seen him play that before; we want something …fresh.”

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However, Matheson noted that his instincts proved to be misguided.

Tim Matheson at the 38th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 18, 2023.Rebecca Sapp/Getty

Rebecca Sapp/Getty

“Netflix, through their technology, had known audiences wanted to see Tim as a curmudgeonly doctor,” he wrote. “Give the people what they want. I said yes and packed for the north.”

Since premiering in 2019, Virgin River is going on its sixth season – set to air on December 19 – and has already been renewed for a seventh season.

The show follows nurse practitioner Melinda “Mel” Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) as she moves from Los Angeles to a remote town in California to start a new life. There she meets Matheson’s standoffish Vernon “Doc” Mullins and his wife Hope McCrea (Annette O’Toole).

Matheson praised his costars in the memoir, writing that Breckenridge “reminds me of my friend John Spencer and the hours we once spent together onThe West Wing,“andMartin Henderson, who plays Mel’s love interest Jack Sheridan is “more than just an actor on a show and a totally committed and devoted leader on set.”

Annette Toole and Tim Matheson in ‘Virgin River’.Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

He also recalled reuniting with O’Toole, whom he had previously worked with onAlmost Summer,What Really Happened to the Class of ‘95andThe Best Legs in Eighth Grade.

“Had nearly 40 years really passed since then? We’d been in our thirties when last passing scripted barbs and kisses,” he wrote. “We boarded the plane together and spent the flight laughing about the old times and what wouldn’t come next.”

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Matheson’s new book details his extensive Hollywood career and his experience with industry greats such asChris Farley,Chevy Chase,Penny Marshall,Dick Van Dykeand more. He also includes “film school boot camp lessons” to provide more in-depth insight into the industry.

In anexclusive statement to PEOPLEto share a first look at the book, the actor teased the future ofVirgin River.

“Technically, my career only spans six and half decades so far,” he said. “However, I think this book will be on the bestseller list for a while and Doc Mullins isn’t getting killed off any time soon, so we rounded up.”

source: people.com