OMG Shocking!! From Virgin River to Viral Romance: How Ben Hollingsworth’s “Romance in Style” Became Netflix’s Unlikely Love Story Phenomenon
In the era of high-stakes thrillers and sci-fi epics, one quiet, heartwarming love story is rewriting the rules of streaming success. At the center of it all stands Ben Hollingsworth,
the ruggedly charming actor best known to Virgin River fans as Dan Brady — the small-town bad boy with a big heart. But this time, he isn’t fixing boats or running from his past.Instead, he’s rewriting his destiny — and, unexpectedly, Netflix’s. His Hallmark-style romance “Romance in Style” — a film that once aired quietly on cable — has become a streaming wildfire.
Within days of its debut on Netflix, it soared into the Top 10 in multiple countries, captivating audiences hungry for something softer, slower, and deeply human.
What started as a modest romantic movie became a cultural moment. And Ben Hollingsworth? He just became the new face of comfort streaming.
The Man Behind the Magic: Ben Hollingsworth’s Second Act
If Virgin River is the soul-soothing escape viewers crave, Hollingsworth has always been part of its emotional core. As Dan Brady, he’s the flawed, fiery ex-Marine with a redemption arc that fans can’t quit. But off the riverbanks of Virgin River, Ben’s career has been quietly blossoming in another direction — one filled with romance, optimism, and warmth.
Long before Netflix came calling, Ben built a steady reputation in feel-good films like A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love and Love Under the Olive Tree. Yet Romance in Style is the project that truly flipped the script.
In the movie, Ben plays Derek, a successful publishing executive whose world collides with Ella, a plus-size fashion designer brimming with heart and ambition. Their romance blooms not from fantasy, but from recognition — two imperfect people daring to love in a world obsessed with perfection.
“It’s a story about seeing beyond appearances — about valuing depth, kindness, and truth,” Ben shared in a recent interview. “And I think that’s what people need right now.”
How a Hallmark Romance Conquered Netflix
Romance in Style wasn’t built for virality. It was wholesome, traditional, and free of the usual streaming flash. But that, ironically, became its superpower.
So what caused the explosion?
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Familiar Comfort + New Platform Power: Netflix dropped the film at the perfect moment — amid the fall streaming lull, when audiences crave cozy, low-stakes storytelling.
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Ben’s Built-In Fanbase: Virgin River devotees spotted a familiar face and hit play — instantly driving up engagement.
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Algorithmic Gold: Once early watchers binged and rated the movie highly, Netflix’s algorithm catapulted it into millions of recommendations.
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Emotional Resonance: Audiences wanted escapism, yes, but also sincerity. The chemistry, the tenderness, the simplicity — it all struck a cultural nerve.
Within a week, Romance in Style ranked among Netflix’s Top 10 films globally, holding its position longer than most studio-backed blockbusters. Why This Story Hit the Heart — and the Algorithm
Rom-coms have always been comfort food. But Romance in Style did something rare: it reminded viewers that softness doesn’t mean weakness.
Ben’s portrayal of Derek was a revelation — steady, grounded, and refreshingly emotionally intelligent. There’s no toxic masculinity, no contrived drama. Just vulnerability, warmth, and sincerity — traits that echo his Virgin River alter ego.
Viewers flooded social media with praise:
“Wait — that’s Dan Brady from Virgin River?! He’s so good in this.”
“We need more of this kind of romance — kind, gentle, and human.”
“Netflix, please keep making movies like Romance in Style! I’ve watched it three times already.”
And just like that, a former Hallmark staple became Netflix’s newest soft-power sensation.