The long-awaited Virgin River season 5 is here, and with it comes a fresh batch of characters ready to shake things up in our beloved town. Some are here to stir the pot, some to befriend our favorite characters, and in some cases, a little bit of both.
This season, we’re introduced to Kaia and Lark, two newcomers who find themselves becoming the love interests of Preacher and Brady, respectively. But there’s another new face in town – Ava, who happens to be a relative of a late member of the Netflix‘s Virgin River community. Ava quickly becomes fast friends with our fearless leading lady, Mel.
So, who exactly is Ava, and who is the talented performer bringing her to life? Let’s dive into the details about Ava and get to know the rising star, Libby Osler, who portrays her!
Ava’s Backstory in Virgin River Season 5
In season 5, we are introduced to Ava, one of the daughters of the Lilly. Before this season, we’d only met Ava’s sisters, Tara and Chloe, the surprise baby Lilly gave birth to in a previous season. Ava hails from Portland, and her arrival in Virgin River sets the stage for her close friendship with Mel.
Ava is one of the few queer characters in the show, revealing to Mel that she has an ex-girlfriend back in Portland. However, life in Virgin River is far from smooth sailing for her, as she grapples with endometriosis, a painful condition that leads to her fainting during the wildfires. She faces a tough decision about having a hysterectomy, but the desire to potentially have children one day leaves her uncertain. Eventually, she decides to freeze her eggs before going through with the surgery.
Who Plays Ava? Meet Libby Osler
Stepping into the role of Ava is Libby Osler. While we don’t have confirmation of her age and height, you can keep up with this rising star on Instagram @lib.osler. Before making her mark as Ava in season 5, Osler had appeared in episodes of The Hot Zone, Departure, Chesapeake Shores, and Aurora Teagarden Mysteries.
As Ava becomes a major recurring cast member in season 5, it’s highly likely that we’ll see more of Libby Osler’s talent in Virgin River.
Will Ava Return in Future Episodes?
Ava’s return to Virgin River appears quite promising. At the end of season 5 finale, Ava makes the decision to remain in the town, even as her sisters depart for San Francisco. She also opts to sell her family’s farm to people who will genuinely cherish it, ultimately selecting Mel and Jack as the new owners. This strongly suggests the likelihood of Ava making a more permanent presence in Virgin River in Season 5 Part 2, or beyond. Her future storyline might involve the pursuit of a romantic relationship or motherhood.
Wrapping it up!
So, as you immerse yourself in the new season of Virgin River, keep an eye out for Ava and her journey in this picturesque town. With a talented actress like Libby Osler at the helm, it’s bound to be a captivating ride!
