Virgin River's Annette O'Toole Is Unrecognizable in an Early Role

Summary

• Virgin River has lots of memorable characters.
• Annette O'Toole is a prolific actress with many roles on her résumé.
• Her first big role was in a classic 1970s sitcom.

Since its premiere in 2019, Virgin River has become one of Netflix's most popular shows. Over the years, this flagship drama has spanned five seasons, with the fifth and most recent one released earlier this fall. Furthermore, according to the streaming service, season 6 is already being written, suggesting that the show will continue for at least one more installment.

The series follows the residents of the eponymous town of Virgin River and primarily revolves around Mel Monroe, a nurse who moves there after her husband's untimely death. However, the show doesn't solely focus on Mel, as it explores the story arcs of many other characters. Hope McCrea, the town's mayor, arguably has the most thrilling storyline. Moreover, the love-hate dynamics between her and the audience make her really stand out as a character. Yet, you are unlikely to recognize the actress behind Hope in one of her earliest roles.

Annette O'Toole's Extensive Career

The beloved, albeit occasionally irritating, mayor of Virgin River is portrayed by Annette O'Toole, a talented American actress with decades of experience under her belt. Before playing Hope on the fan-favorite Netflix show, she appeared in a variety of projects on television and in film. For instance, Annette O'Toole has had episodic roles on hit shows such as Law & Order, Grey's Anatomy, and The Good Doctor. But her career reaches even further back in time.

Remarkably, Annette O'Toole landed her first on-screen role at fifteen when she appeared in an episode of My Three Sons. Later that year, the actress also appeared in the renowned drama This Is the Life. However, her first really big role came four years later – and you probably won't recognize her in it.

The Partridge Family

This cult musical sitcom, which aired from 1970 to 1974, featured many future stars, Jodie Foster being perhaps the most notable example. Annette O'Toole was also among them. She appeared in the twenty-first episode of season 1, where she portrayed Carol, David Cassidy's Keith's new girlfriend, who accompanied the main character throughout the episode as he figured out the financing for his new car.

Back then, Annette was only eighteen, but it's not her age that makes her unrecognizable. It's Carol's demeanor, which contrasts starkly with Hope's, that might make you question whether the same actress could have portrayed both characters.

As for Virgin River, it will return with two Christmas specials on November 30th.