After much anticipation, Virgin River Season 4 is coming to the Netflix platform on July 20 2022 – and according to Marco Grazzini, who plays sheriff Mike Valenzuela, also called ‘Venezuela’ jokingly on the set, there will be many twists and turns to come, and an even bigger puzzle of mysteries will be uncovered in the city!
We at Survived The Shows had the pleasure of chatting with Marco Grazzini about his experience in Virgin River, in particular what we can expect from season 4, and his storyline, not to mention his experience on the show!
Check out our exclusive interview with Virgin River star Marco Grazzini below!
What’s the main element in Mike’s character and the show in general that fascinates you the most, and drew you to join Virgin River?
MARCO GRAZZINI: Well, as I just mentioned, I’m a big fan of comedy. I’m really drawn to it, and I look for it in every script and appreciate it when I’m watching it. As an audience member, I love to laugh. I’d like to make other people laugh, in real life or on the job. And I know that most of the time, you know, Mike is preoccupied with all of his police work. It is, you know, it’s his job, but Mike does have a great sense of humour, as does Virgin River.
And obviously most people connect with the show as a drama and romance, but there’s definitely some, you know, fantastic moments of comedy and of humour. And, in my opinion, that makes the drama and romance even better. It just, you know, primes you for it. So that’s what first attracted to me. It was like, ‘OK, this guy’s a serious guy and he’s about business, but like there’s an element of humour there, I appreciate that’.
Describe Virgin River Season 4 in three words
MG: Scandalous. Moving. And I don’t remember how do you say for binge-worthy? Binge-worthy!
After the events of the season 3 finale, it seems that Mike will have a pretty key role in season 4 with the resolution of the mystery around Jack’s shooting. So, what can you tease about Mike’s storyline on season 4?
MG: Well, uh, season four. We’re definitely getting deeper into the mystery of what happened that night that Jack got shot. And you know, now that trailer for season four is out, you know Jack is, you know, changing his story and saying that it wasn’t Brady and as much as you know, Mike has a previous history of problems with Brady and he wants to help Jack out and he wants to, you know, maybe be with Brie. He has to honour his commitment to justice again. Now along the way in season 4, starts discovering other mysteries in Virgin River and at some point, he realizes that there is a bigger puzzle. You know that the puzzle pieces that fit together and that everything isn’t as it seems. So yeah, it gets a lot more complicated for Mike.
And Mike’s friendship with Jack also faced some ups and downs, like any relationship and friendship does. What’s next for them in season 4 and how is it like for you to build this relationship with Martin Henderson who plays Jack?
MG: Well, I’ve been very lucky that Martin was the first person that I acted opposite of on the show. He’s been a gift since day one. I know it sounds corny, but honestly, I’ve learned a lot from him. He’s very funny, he’s always cracking jokes, and as an actor, he’s got such great internal life that you can see it’s just happening behind his eyes.
He’s so subtle, he can explode at the snap of a head. He scares me sometimes, because, you know, he’s always doing the emotional romantic stuff, which he’s phenomenal, and then he has a scene with me, or with Brady and he gets really, you know, excited about that and it won’t be in the script, but like, you know, he’ll kick something on – He won’t kick me, but he’ll kick a box, and it’s just such great energy to be a part of and to watch and to learn from. He’s always really gracious and generous as a fellow actor and scene partner.
So, I’ve definitely stolen some techniques from Martin Henderson. And I mean he has a really cool New Zealand accent as well. So, it’s fun to listen to when he’s offset. As far as what is up for this season between the two… Now Jack thinks that Brady didn’t shoot him, so I mean Mike definitely has to, you know, weigh Jack’s words against the evidence that already exists, and if it was anybody else, I don’t know if Mike would listen, but it’s Jack, you know, so I have to. He’s like my brother, you know, but Jack’s memory isn’t too reliable and sometimes he drinks a little bit, so I don’t know but, you know, it’s Jack
Some fans are speculating over the fact that Mike might be asking Brie out to date while Brady is out of the way. How would you reply to this theory?
MG: Is Brady out of the way? I don’t know, I feel like he’s always gonna be in the way. I mean, how could he not? Those beautiful blue eyes. Well, I think Mike for sure is, you know, still going to be very much captivated by Bree. I mean, she’s beautiful. She’s intelligent. She’s funny. Mike likes funny. Also, Jack definitely likes Mike a lot better than he likes Brady and also, Bree is an attorney and so, definitely Mike and Bree share this commitment to, you know, finding justice and she would understand the sort of the crazy life of being a cop. You know, to get lonely doing cop stuff and just going fishing in Virgin River. So, I think Mike and Bree would be a good match. It should be in interesting. I think we’ll be seeing more of them for sure, yeah.
If you could choose any other character on Virgin River that you would have liked to play, which one would it be?
MG: I would choose Hope. Actually, I love her, she’s such a fun character, full of wit and sarcasm, you never know what she’s going to say. So, a role like that would be great for me.
What’s been the most fun scene for you to film?
MG: I always remember those scenes in Season 2 when we first meet Mike and then Jack’s friends – with the bikes and rafting, and those really breath-taking landscapes. I felt like I was on holiday with friends, not at work. I was really bummed out, all we needed was a few beers, it was perfect [laughs].
The interview has been edited and condensed for greater clarity and length. For the full interview with Marco Grazzini, watch the video at the top of the article!
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