Exclusive Interview
Benjamin Hollingsworth Wants Jana Kramer on ‘Virgin River’ After ‘The Christmas Ring’ (VIDEO)
What To Know
- Benjamin Hollingsworth stars alongside Jana Kramer in the new holiday romance The Christmas Ring.
- Hollingsworth opened up to Swooon about his “instant connection” with Kramer.
- The actor will reprise his role as Brady in Virgin River Season 7.
Benjamin Hollingsworth is putting a ring (a Christmas ring, that is) on the holiday season. The Virgin River star plays Ben Miller in the new holiday romance The Christmas Ring alongside Jana Kramer.
Military widow Vanessa Mayfield, played by Kramer, is searching for her family’s missing Christmas ring and ends up at Ben’s antique shop in hopes of finding answers. As Vanessa and Ben hunt for the heirloom, their connection deepens. Hollingsworth spoke with Swooon about bringing Karen Kingsbury’s novel to life.
Hollingsworth said he had an “instant connection” with Kramer. “We just clicked immediately,” he said. The Christmas Ring was filmed in Nashville, where Kramer lives with her family. Hollingsworth brought along his wife and kids for the shoot, and the families bonded right away.
Given his newfound friendship with Kramer, have there been discussions about the One Tree Hill alum popping up on the small-town Netflix drama? We could see it happening!
Fathom Entertainment / Everett Collection
“You know what, my wife just said that. She’s like, ‘She’d be so good on the show.’ And Jana’s like, ‘I’ll come on the show.’ I’ll talk to [Patrick] Sean [Smith], our showrunner. Let’s see if we can’t find a part for her because she would be great,” Hollingsworth revealed.
The Code Black alum loved exploring the idea of Vanessa and Ben getting a second chance at love in The Christmas Ring. Life doesn’t always work out as we think it will, and The Christmas Ring reflects the possibilities that await when life takes a different path.
“I think we all fall in love, and some of us are really lucky to carry out a very long life with that person, but some of us go through hard things like breakups or divorces, or they lose their loved one, which is what happens to my character and Jana’s character. We bond over this coincidence that we’re both widowed. And it’s a struggle, especially on Christmas, to go through this because, of course, Christmastime reminds us of family.
He added, “This is a great story about how you can find that joy again, find that love again.”
After The Christmas Ring, the actor is set to have a busy 2026. Hollingsworth will return as Brady in Virgin River Season 7, which doesn’t have a release date yet. The show has already been renewed for Season 8.
Watch the full video above for more Christmas Ring behind-the-scenes details.
The Christmas Ring, Available to Rent or Buy, November 28
