Talk about a jaw-dropping finale! 🌀🎬 Benjamin Hollingsworth is opening up about that brutal Season 7 ending, and it’s not looking good for Brady. For a character who has lived life on the edge, this latest twist feels like his most dangerous one yet.

“This was a long time coming. And Zibby and I worked really hard with the writers to come up with something that felt real and honest,” Hollingsworth, who plays Brady, told DECIDER over Zoom while reflecting on Brie’s grand romantic finale speech. “For Brady — and for me even, as an actor — it’s so easy to sit there listening, and absorbing it, and being in the moment. Zibby’s such a great actress I really didn’t have to do anything except be there for her. So it was nice, and pretty cathartic for Brady to hear all of those things were valid, and that she does feel the same way.”

After the rom-com worthy love confession, Virgin River turned up the heat with another steamy scene that will have fans sweating as hard as Season 6’s pool table hook-up. (IYKYK.) Only this time, the two have their highly-anticipated reunion atop Brady’s motorcycle.

“The entire time, as we were getting scripts, I was like, ‘Are we not doing Brie and Brady? Like, where is this going?’” Hollingsworth said. “And they’re like, ‘No, no, no, we’re saving it for the end of the season, and we’re going to have this epic pool table-esque scene.’ They hadn’t quite figured it out where it was going to be. I think we were all trying to make it something that felt similar to the pool table, or that felt not planned and just very raw and in the moment. And the bike came up…”

In celebration of Season 7’s March 12 premiere on Netflix, Hollingsworth sat down with DECIDER to chat about everything from Brie and Brady’s fiery motorcycle scene and Brady’s near-death wildfire experience to Season 7’s terrifying cliffhanger and more.

The big Season 6 cliffhanger for Brady was Lark cleaning him out, and he ends up letting her keep all his money for Hazel. How fulfilling has it been to play someone with such a rich redemption arc? Did you have an idea that Brady would take a turn for the better when you signed on?

In Season 1, I didn’t. It wasn’t until Season 2 or Season 3 that Sue Tenney, the showrunner at that time, was like, ‘Hey, we’re going to bring in a love interest for you.’ It wasn’t a full redemption arc at that moment. But every time I play villains, or antagonists, one of my favorite things to do with them is to look at them as misunderstood. All of us, even the worst humans, believe they’re doing good and are trying to do better, even if it looks like they’re failing. And sometimes they are. But I try and make decisions where even if he’s doing the wrong thing, at the core, he’s trying to resist doing it. And whenever possible, showing the humanity within that, because that struggle between good and bad, and to be a better version of ourselves is universal. That’s something I think everyone can relate to.

The Brie/Brady/Mike love triangle is finally put to rest this season, but we do get some more strained scenes between them all first, including Mike punching Brady. What’s it been like crafting that tension with Marco?

It’s fun whenever you get to have that kind of major conflict between two people. As far as Brady getting punched, I think this might be his fourth or fifth black eye on the show. Jack punches him Season 1. and then he gets multiple fights, so he’s a veteran of the black guy. But I think Brady would probably be friends with Mike if it wasn’t for Brie. Of course, one is very different from the other. But sometimes that’s the way friends are. That tension is definitely playable. And it’s something that shows Brady’s still a guy’s guy and he still has pride. I think there’s still a lot of resentment there for how it all played out with Brie.

Brady might not get along with the guys, but I loved his friendship with Kaia this season. What does that relationship mean to him? And what do you admire about Kandyse McClure as a scene partner? 

Kandyse is awesome. She’s a vet. She’s been doing this for a while. We have a really good rapport off camera as well. It’s just natural. We settled into it pretty nicely. And it’s been nice to see Brady open himself up and have a buddy; someone who wasn’t Brie who he could talk to outside of that romantic world. I think it’s really cool where their relationship is going. He’s finally got a confidant in town who can look out for him.

Brady and Kaia have a close call with a wildfire this season. What do you remember from shooting those intense fire scenes? Is that a nice change of pace for you? 

Yeah, I love doing any kind of action stuff. There’s a little Tom Cruise that lives in me that loves doing my own stunts. And I like the big days where there’s a lot of crew on set, and a lot of background. That day I think we had four cameras, normally it’s two. And a telescopic crane, which is really cool because I geek out about the tech. It can go from like 10 ft long to 60 ft long. So there’s one shot where I have an ax, and I’m picking and we’re trying to dig up the that coals in the ground that can restart a fire. And I’m swinging this thing, and it’s like 30/40 pounds. And every camera they have is between like $750,000 to $1 million. Not to mention, you have this expensive crane. And they’re zooming in, and I feel this camera come closer, and closer, and closer. And I’m swinging this thing, and I can’t stop. I’m literally like three inches off of nailing the camera, and I don’t think they knew how close they were to me. But they called “cut,” and I’m like, “Guys, what is going on with this camera in my face when I have this ax!” And the producer tells the camera guys, “Do not get that close to Ben, he’s a wild card!” [Laughs]

Oh I have to go back and rewatch now! After his near-death wildfire experience, Brady has an emotional conversation with Brie and decides he can’t be friends with her anymore. What was your approach to that scene? 

I think Brady still has trouble feeling that he’s worthy of love. There was this moment before the pool table, after Lark had conned him, where Brie says, “You’re worthy of love. You deserve this.” And that reassurance is part of what sparked that whole pool table thing. He thinks he has it with her, and she gets into this funk where she doesn’t know what she wants. And that’s really hard for him. I think the fire makes him really take stock of what’s important. For him, that’s Brie, and not in a friend way. In a love of my life type of way. And that’s a certain type of torture, to be close to someone like that, and to have had this relationship and then try and navigate this new side when all you want to do is be with them. So that was a real fun push and pull.

Part of the reason Brie and Brady are so beloved is because of their palpable chemistry. What makes you and Zibby Allen click so well on and off screen, and how has that trust between you evolved over the years?

From day one with Zibby, it was pretty easy. It’s always tricky coming [into a show late]. She came in Season 3, and was trying to navigate a set that already has its own dynamics. But she came in very open, and I knew that was an opportunity for Brady to show a different side of himself. So I had briefed her on a lot that was going on and tried to create a safe space for her so she could figure out her character and our relationship. And it really hasn’t stopped. We still talk about scenes before they happen. We talk about, “Would this make sense for our characters?” And every single scene we do, we put a lot of craft and care into. I think sometimes people think chemistry comes easy. And it did in a certain way, but there’s also a lot of work making sure that there’s still textures — that it’s not just friends. There is definitely a mix of something you can’t put your [finger on], that no one quite understands about it. But then there is an element, too, about having this working relationship that’s very simpatico.

Speaking of chemistry, last season the pool table scene set the fandom on fire. And this season, Brie and Brady get a steamy motorcycle scene. Tell me everything. What was your reaction? Did you and Zibby choose the surface again?

[Laughs] The entire time, as we were getting scripts, I was like, “Are we not doing Brie and Brady? Like, where is this going?” Because you’re right. It was a slow burn for sure this season. And they’re like, “No, no, no, we’re saving it for the end of the season, and we’re going to have this epic pool table-esque scene. They hadn’t quite figured it out where it was going to be. I think we were all trying to make it something that felt similar to the pool table, or that felt not planned and just very raw and in the moment. And the bike came up. And I had no idea at the time that it would be so uncomfortable, because the body doesn’t naturally arc that way. So I’m like humped back all the way over. And Zibby had it easy. She’s just right up there, like, ‘I’m part of the motorbike.’ My back the next day — for the next couple of weeks — my back was in shambles. And my abs I don’t think got a better workout ever. So I should have done that prepping for the scene actually, some motorcycle reps. [Laughs]

Logistically speaking, was the bike secured to the ground? Or all you had was the little kickstand?

We kind of shot it in two pieces. So the first part where it was wide, it wasn’t [secured]. And then once they moved in, they had straps and it was totally strapped down to keep us from falling off the bike. But in real life you’re like, “I don’t know if that’s possible.” [Laughs]

I don’t know how you’re out-doing that next season. But I do think you’ve set a precedent that there has to be at least one steamy non-bed scene. 

Yeah, one crazy out-of-control scene. The writers have a big-time challenge in front of them this year.

We know Brady is one hell of a speech giver, so what did it mean for him to have Brie deliver the grand romantic speech that solidified their next chapter?

It was kind of the reverse of what you saw at the wedding, where Brady dumps his heart out. And at the wedding, she’s like, “OK.” That’s really it. So this was a long time coming. And Zibby and I worked really hard with the writers to come up with something that felt real and honest. And for Brady — and for me even, as an actor — it’s so easy to sit there listening, and absorbing it, and being in the moment. Zibby’s such a great actress I really didn’t have to do anything except be there for her. So it was nice, and pretty cathartic for Brady to hear all of those things were valid, and that she does feel the same way.

Well, no one in Virgin River can be happy for too long. So a devastating Season 7 cliffhanger shows Brady getting into a motorcycle accident. How will that set up Season 8 for him and Brie?

I know [production] is starting up soon, in April. We don’t know if Brady survives this. We still don’t know. So if he’s back in Season 8, it’d be great to see him and Brie have some great sort of moment in their life that they could enjoy for a minute. I don’t even know that there’s a world in which Brady can have nice things. I always say he’s one of those people who just can’t have it. I don’t know if the audience is ever going to get that. So who knows? I mean, I know… [Laughs]

Well, Brie loves men in the hospital, so…

Yes! Brie has a thing for men in a hospital gown. That’s right. I guess [the surface] this year. Maybe it’s the hospital bed. [Laughs]

Is there a storyline you hope to see for Brady down the line or something you’d love to do more of on the show? 

I would love to stay on the show. [Laughs] I haven’t worked with a lot of the cast extensively, because Brady’s often to the side of the town. So people like Doc, who’s played by Tim Matheson, would be amazing to work with, and to have more scenes with the townspeople. Just to see him against a different energy would be really fun. If he survives the motorcycle accident…

And do you have directing aspirations? 

I do! I actually shadowed a director on Episode 9 and 10, because they do a block. Felipe Rodriguez, who’s a fantastic director. He directed the pool table scene and the motorcycle scene. So he’s responsible for all that steam. He’s a Spaniard, so he’s got that in him. But a fantastic director. And it was really cool to see him work. I would love to direct an episode at some point if they trust me enough to do so. I graduated from a pretty intense conservatory program after three years when I was like 19 to 21. So I really do have that training and understanding of the acting craft that allows me to communicate with actors.

Fingers crossed you can direct soon! A large part of the Virgin River appeal is the small-town charm, and this season everyone gathers for the Founder’s Day event. Do you have a favorite Virgin River event? 

The one I didn’t love was the Shakespeare renaissance fair — mostly because I didn’t get to do the sword fighting, and I was super jealous. All I got to do was wear a ridiculous feathered hat. But acting in the Season 7 one was hilarious. Seeing the Hope impersonator and the village people, Zibby and I just start cracking up. There was this moment where they blasted confetti in the air, and I don’t think anyone really thought through what would happen to the confetti afterwards, because it just went everywhere. Those are all fun.

Before we go, I interviewed Zibby last week and she gave me a question to ask you: Who is your favorite scene partner in all the land? 

She knows that that’s her. That’s like a cheap question.

[Laughs] That’s why she gave you another one: Do you think Brie and Brady would make good parents? If so, why? And if not, what would they have to work on? 

I think they’d be great parents. I think Brady’s learned so many hard lessons and I find, myself as a dad, I always passed down advice on the mistakes that I’ve made along the way. Even though [my kids are] still very young, a young child can learn a lot from an adult lesson. I think Brady would have a lot of experience in that role. You kind of see a little bit with Lark and Hazel. You see him being a little bit of a father figure to Hazel. But I think the two of them as parents would be really, really cute and fun. And watching them navigate all the stresses and wonders and joys of being a parent would be really cool. They’d be great at it, especially because they’ve overcome so much already.

Anything else you want to share with Virgin River fans?

One thing that we’re trying to coordinate is an opportunity to meet the fans and get everyone together. We’re looking at potentially doing it in Nashville with a couple other shows that kind of feel like Virgin River, some small-town shows — some on the air, some finished. It’s still in the almost getting together phase, but something for fans to look forward to is maybe getting a chance to meet us all sometime in the fall.

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

SOURCE: decider.com