EXCLUSIVE | Netflix's 'Virgin River' Season 2: Who is Lizzie? Meet Sarah Dugdale's 'complicated angsty teen'
Things are sifting in Season 2 of 'Virgin River'. The reason? There's a force of nature the quaint little town will be greeted with, all the way from Los Angeles. And that force of nature is Sarah Dugdale's character Lizzie, who's about to hit the town like a whirlwind unlike any other. The debut season of the Netflix series saw Alexandra Breckenridge's Melinda Monroe come to town and shake things up a little bit. But she seemed to settle down pretty soon: winning hearts all over and whatnot. Things are however not going to be as smooth with Lizzy, who Dugdale tells MEAWW, is "so much more complicated than your regular femme fatale".
"On the surface, Lizzie may seem like a femme fatale but she’s so much more complicated than that," the actress tells us in an exclusive chat ahead of the second season hitting the streaming platform. "Yes, she is wild, cunning, brash, and impulsive. Those are parts of her but not her entire being. There’s a reason behind her angst and attitude. I found her intriguing for that very reason," she elaborates.
The 25-year-old Canadian actress is known for her works in 2019's 'In the Shadow of the Moon, 'RL Stine's The Haunting Hour' and the hit CW series, 'Arrow'. And now, as she hops on board the Netflix express with the picturesque, Hallmark-ct out series that's a giant dollop of wholesomeness, she gets candid about her character and all that she's set to explore through her. "Lizzie arrives in Virgin River, not by her own volition," Dugdale tases, explaining how "she’s been pawned off by her parents to live with her Aunt Connie after getting into some trouble in LA. She has a chip on her shoulder and thinks Virgin River is lame. The town of Virgin River feels like a character itself so it’s cool to see Lizzie’s relationship develop not only with the people but with the town as well".
One would associate the character to the likes of the infamous Jenny Humphrey from 'Gossip Girl' or ven Emma Roberts' Poppy Moore from 'Wild Child'. And just like them, there's more to Dugdale's Lizzie, and she for one loves how "complicated she is. She didn’t feel like a typical angsty teen; she has depth. I found myself relating to parts of Lizzie right off the bat. She has a sweetness and silliness to her that I found so charming. I also loved her ability to be so blunt with people". Dugdale adds: "Getting to explore the crazy, impulsive side of Lizzie was such a treat. I’m a very logical person and I'm not as spontaneous as I’d like to be, so I found those parts of Lizzie freeing. Sometimes I feel like she’s my alter ego."
There's also the piping hot topic of a Rocky-Lizzie romance that the teaser has put in our minds ever since it first dropped, and actor Grayson Gurnsey was moved to series regular. Teasing about her character's arc this season and all that lies ahead, Dugdale tells us "Lizzie is in for a shock to her system. Virgin River is nothing like LA. It’s Aunt Connie’s way or the highway, and Lizzie is expected to work. I really found delight in playing out her arc this season." But when we asked about the coupling of the young adults, she teased "As far as Lizzie and Ricky go...you’ll have to watch to find out!"
All suspense aside, what really drew Dugdale to the series "was the heart and authenticity. Virgin River is pitched as a small-town medical drama but it’s so much more than that. I believe that anyone could sit down and enjoy Virgin River. There’s a character or a situation for everyone to relate to. I usually prefer to watch dramas or true crime and yet I found myself hooked and rooting for the characters in Virgin River. If you want a show with heart, drama, authenticity, and joy; this is the show for you," she insists!
Dugdale, who has found the last few months in quarantine both "challenging and cathartic" has her second Netflix feature arriving in 2021, in the form of 'There’s Someone Inside Your House'. "It’s a teen horror movie based on a book by the same name. I had a bloody good time shooting it and can't wait for it to come out!" she gushes. But until then, the actor who thrives on staying busy and being productive enthuses about all that's in store for fans in this second season of 'Virgin River'. "Love triangles, young love, and community. You won’t be able to turn it off. Cozy up with your loved ones and dive into the world we’ve created," she says, signing off.
'Virgin River' Season 2 premiered on Friday, November 27, and is now available for streaming, only on Netflix.
