Lizzie's journey in Virgin River has been eventful, leading to some major news in Season 5. This may leave you wondering about her age. Virgin River, based on the Robyn Carr books, brings the town's characters to life on screen with some changes to the original story. In Netflix's version, Lizzie is a rebellious teenager sent to live with her aunt Connie in Season 2.
As time goes on, Lizzie matures and gains a deeper understanding of life and responsibility, with the help of the locals. In Season 5, Mayor Hope appoints Lizzie as her chief of staff during a wildfire. In her personal life, Lizzie is in a relationship with Denny, and the finale of Part 1 brings some significant news for the couple. They are now taking their future seriously, prompting the question: is Lizzie's age a concern for the immense responsibility she is facing? Warning: Spoilers for Virgin River Season 5 ahead!
How old is Lizzie in Virgin River?
In the Netflix version of Virgin River, Lizzie (played by Sarah Dugdale) is mentioned to be 19 years old. With only about six months passing between Season 1 and Season 5, this indicates that she is either 19 or 20 years old.
Time passes much more slowly in the TV version of the show, which is why it felt like Charmaine was pregnant for an eternity. Now, Lizzie is pregnant herself, a reveal that came at the end of Season 5 Part 1 and was addressed in the recent Christmas specials. This will likely be the central focus of her and Denny’s journey in Virgin River for a significant amount of time.
Lizzie's age has sparked discussion recently due to this plot detail, as it has been significantly altered from the books. In Carr's novels, Lizzie is only 14 years old, but the show writers aged her up to explore more mature themes surrounding the character.
Netflix
Although it has been rewarding to witness her development and maturation throughout the five seasons, many audience members were left feeling uneasy about her pregnancy - particularly following Mel and Jack's miscarriage in Season 5 Part 1.
One person on Reddit expressed their anxiety about the prevalence of traumatic birth/pregnancy storylines, stating their relief that nothing bad happened to Charmaine's twins. Another Reddit user offered a prediction of potential dramatic outcomes, ranging from tragic deaths to less dramatic decisions, ultimately speculating that Mel and Jack would end up with the baby.
That’s for the writers to know and us to find out in Season 6 and beyond.
Virgin River Season 5 is available to stream on Netflix now, and you can check out our other coverage below:
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of Virgin River, I am thrilled to see the character of Lizzie grow and evolve throughout the seasons. Her journey from a rebellious teenager to a responsible young woman has been captivating to watch, and I am excited to see what the future holds for her. The news of her pregnancy in Season 5 Part 1 has added a new layer of complexity to her character, and I am eager to see how she navigates this new chapter in her life.
While I understand the concerns some fans have expressed about Lizzie's age and the potential for traumatic birth/pregnancy storylines, I trust the writers to handle this sensitive topic with care and sensitivity. I believe that Lizzie's pregnancy can be a powerful opportunity to explore the challenges and joys of young motherhood, and I am confident that the writers will find a way to balance the drama with the hope and optimism that are at the heart of Virgin River.