A Conversation with "Virgin River" Star Zibby Allen
In this exclusive interview with Miami Living Magazine, we’re excited to connect with Zibby Allen, the talented actress who currently stars as Brie Sheridan in Netflix’s hit series Virgin River, which returns for its highly anticipated sixth season December 19th. As the show continues to rack up streaming records, Zibby shares insights into her role, her aspirations behind the camera, and what it’s like to be part of one of Netflix’s most binged shows. Beyond acting, Zibby is a wellness enthusiast with a passion for curated herbal remedies, glowing skin secrets, and creating a holistic lifestyle. She’s also the co-host of the newly launched podcast I LIKE YOU VERY MUCH, where she and her Virgin River co-star, Alexandra Breckenridge, delve into their deep friendship and celebrate the stories of those they admire. With a fascinating career spanning shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Nancy Drew, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and a life now shared between three countries with her husband, Zibby’s journey is one of transformation, creativity, and heartfelt connections.
Miami Living (ML): Thank you so much for joining us today Zibby! Virgin River has become a global phenomenon with millions of fans eagerly awaiting season six. What’s been one of the most surprising or rewarding aspects of being a part of Netflix’s top binged show, and how has the experience shaped your journey as an actor?
Zibby: There’s an inherent reward in being part of a show so widely acknowledged and loved. As actors, we don’t often, if ever, receive that level of acknowledgment in this career. I don’t think I’ll ever take it for granted when a stranger stops me on the street to tell me how much they love the show. It’s a wonderful feeling.
ML: Your character, Brie Sheridan, has gone through quite an emotional journey on Virgin River. What aspects of Brie’s storyline have resonated most with you personally, and have you brought any of your own experiences into portraying her on screen?
Zibby: It’s quite a personal answer, to be honest! I don’t know if I want to divulge too much detail about the intersection of Brie and Zibby… but, in a slightly more general sense, I can say that I think we both have something to offer one another. While I am outwardly a more sensitive, heart-on-my-sleeve type, Brie is much tougher and hard-charging on the outside. Our point of intersection is really this inner battle around worthiness.
Post her sexual assault, Brie is fighting for this deep desire to feel worthy of a love she can trust. In my own way and for different reasons, I can relate to this inner yearning to feel worthy of the things I desire most in this world.
ML: Can you share a memorable fan encounter or moment that really made you appreciate the devoted following the show has gained?
Zibby: I always appreciate it when a fan of the show musters the courage to approach me out in the world. I’ve had some really touching encounters where someone has mentioned they share a similar story to Brie’s and that watching her navigate the aftermath of her assault has given them comfort. That said, the funniest encounters—if you can call them that—are when I’ll be walking down the street, and someone randomly yells out, “Team Brady!” or “Team Mike!” It’s happened a few times and always reminds me how invested viewers are in the show and Brie’s ‘love triangle’!
ML: Beyond acting, you’ve curated a beautiful sense of wellness, especially with your herbal remedies and teas. Can you share a few of your favorite go-to products or rituals that help you stay grounded, healthy, and glowing in both body and spirit?
Zibby: It’s true—I’m very into herbs because they’ve made such a significant impact on my health. I try to incorporate herbs daily, and as someone who characterizes herself as “consistently inconsistent,” I’ve found that the easiest and most effortless way to do that is by making a cold brew every other night. Basically, I toss a couple of spoonfuls of whatever loose-leaf herbs I’m using into a tall carafe, fill it with filtered water, cap it, chuck it in the fridge overnight, then strain it in the morning and drink the nutrient-rich water all day. It’s the same as drinking water throughout the day, only this is even better for you.
I also make my own tinctures, which I keep in my purse and take a couple of drops from whenever I need a little extra herbal support, no matter where I am.
A favorite glowy-skin blend I often use includes:
Nettle (rich in Vitamins A, C, K & B—all good for boosting skin radiance)
Calendula (skin-hydrating, anti-fungal, anti-aging, antioxidant)
Licorice (skin-brightening and tightening, synthesizes with collagen production, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory)
Burdock (antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, promotes healthy circulation).
ML: We love the concept of your new podcast, I LIKE YOU VERY MUCH, and the deep bond and friendship you share with co-host Alexandra Breckenridge. Can you tell us more about the co-creation of this project, and what’s been one of the most surprising or heartwarming conversations you’ve had on the podcast so far?
Zibby: Thanks! Our podcast is really a celebration of our friendship. Alex and I both understand how powerful true friendship can be. There’s something so medicinal about a close female friend you can be fully yourself with. With all the negativity and fear that shows up online, we loved the idea of creating a podcast that’s about celebrating what we like about each other—and our guests.
We’ve found that focusing on what we genuinely appreciate about a guest opens the door to some incredible, real conversations about who they are and what makes them tick. It’s also funny to see how people can squirm a little when they’re given sincere compliments!
I’ve sincerely loved every conversation with every guest we’ve had on the show, but the episode we did with our guest Dan Payne (the actor who plays Nate Brenner—Joey’s husband—on Virgin River, along with countless roles in TV and film) stands out. We didn’t know him nearly as well as the other guests, and the whole conversation ranged from deeply emotional to hysterically funny. We laughed, we cried, Dan shared deep truths… and ultimately, I think that’s the stuff you can’t plan for but ends up being so connecting, whether as hosts of the pod or even just as listeners.
ML: You’d been outspoken in the past about your stance against marriage, which evolved after falling in love with your now husband in Scotland. What changed for you, and how has your relationship influenced your outlook on life?
Zibby: I’m very happily married to my partner, Adam, but I still think marriage, in its traditional sense, can be problematic. Culturally, we often treat relationships like emotional ATMs—expecting our partner to provide the love, validation, or happiness we feel we’re owed. This dynamic has always disturbed me: objectifying one another and placing an unfair burden on our partner to fulfill our sense of worth or completeness. It’s a setup for disappointment and “failure.”
Marriage, as commonly practiced, often seems to impose restrictions and rigid expectations about who your spouse should be and how they should behave to fit into a predefined idea of success in a relationship. That said, meeting Adam obviously shifted my perspective quite a bit. Partially because I found someone I am genuinely compatible with and admire so completely—not because of how he makes me feel, but because of who he is in the world, independent of me. But also because he didn’t come to this relationship with a preset framework of what his partner needed to be. It just created space for me to realize that it’s not about the label—whether I call him my partner, boyfriend, husband, or simply “my person.” What matters is how I choose to love him and how we choose to frame our commitment to each other.
While the traditional ideals of marriage don’t resonate with us, I’ve grown to appreciate marriage as a practice—a commitment to exploring how love evolves over time and being deeply curious about the long-term effects of that practice on myself and our relationship.
ML: You've had such an inspiring journey—both professionally and personally—balancing a thriving acting career with your podcast, wellness practices, and life across three countries. Looking ahead, what’s next for you? Are there any new projects or passions you're excited to explore in the future?
Zibby: Thanks for saying that. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like I’m balancing it all particularly well… but whatever. I’m definitely allowing myself to pursue the things I love and value most!
As for new projects, I’m in the midst of refining a draft of a feature I’ve written. If I can muster the courage, I’d like to make this film, star in it, and possibly co-direct. My recent experience in producing has really shown me that to create a movie that’s truly your own, creatively speaking, you just have to go for it. This means not waiting for someone else to provide funding or permission—usually based on attaching “bankable names,” blah blah blah. That stuff does my head in.
So yeah, I’m working on building the courage to forge ahead independently with this love-ish story I’ve got brewing.
Social Media:
Photo Credit:
Photographer: Heidi Back, @heidi.back.photography
Hair and Makeup: Debbie Chen, @debbi.yc_makeup.art
Hair Styling: @beautyagogo1