With Virgin River now firmly cemented as one of Netflix’s longest-running and most beloved original series, Marco Grazzini brings a considered, deeply human approach to his work. An approach rooted in empathy, curiosity, and emotional truth. Shaped by an upbringing spent “code-switching” between cultures, Grazzini is drawn to stories and characters that don’t fit neatly into one box, but instead live in subtle, complicated spaces.
We sat down with Grazzini to talk about what keeps him creatively engaged, from navigating emotional complexity and uncomfortable truths to how his Italian and Filipino heritage informs his worldview. He also shares how photography allows him to shift perspective, how travel and time in nature help recalibrate his creative life, and what excites him about developing new work as a writer and producer
With Virgin River now firmly cemented as one of Netflix’s longest-running and most beloved original series, Marco Grazzini brings a considered, deeply human approach to his work. An approach rooted in empathy, curiosity, and emotional truth. Shaped by an upbringing spent “code-switching” between cultures, Grazzini is drawn to stories and characters that don’t fit neatly into one box, but instead live in subtle, complicated spaces.
We sat down with Grazzini to talk about what keeps him creatively engaged, from navigating emotional complexity and uncomfortable truths to how his Italian and Filipino heritage informs his worldview. He also shares how photography allows him to shift perspective, how travel and time in nature help recalibrate his creative life, and what excites him about developing new work as a writer and producer
“Virgin River” has become one of Netflix’s longest-running original series… Why do you think audiences have formed such a devoted connection to this story and these characters?
With over 60 episodes and counting, viewers have had the time to really grow with these characters—it starts to feel like you know them personally, like you’re part of the same small town. The fanbase is honestly the best part of the show; people genuinely want the best for these characters and empathize with them as if they were real friends. I think Virgin River taps into a very human need to belong to a loving, collaborative community. The show always leads with love and it offers hope and connection in a world that often feels fragmented. And if there’s one thing Virgin River does best, it’s cliffhangers— who doesn’t love a little gossip!
Your character, Mike, is at the center of one of television’s most talked-about love triangles… What can you tease about where we find Mike emotionally as Season 7 begins?
Mike is very much head over heels in love with Brie—despite her, at times, treating him like trash (said with love, haha). There’s a strong “I can fix this, I can help you stop hurting” instinct driving him, even when it comes at the expense of his own emotional well-being. He genuinely wants to navigate her betrayal with empathy and understanding, maybe a little too much. Season 7 moves at a faster pace for Mike, and that momentum makes it harder to avoid some uncomfortable truths. Balancing the life he wants with Brie against what he knows deep down becomes increasingly tricky. I can confidently say this season was the most fun I’ve had on the show.
How do you navigate playing a character in such a complex romantic dynamic while ensuring Mike remains authentic?
I always start from a character’s truth. When that truth clashes with my own worldview, that’s where the work gets interesting—I dig until I understand how someone could genuinely feel that way. Early on, while prepping for Mike and the love triangle, I realized I’d actually lived versions of this dynamic in my twenties. Somehow, I’d been both the Mike and the Brady at the same time, haha. Love and lust will make you do some truly zany things. All in the name of character prep, of course… purely professional.
Being the son of Italian and Filipino immigrants in Toronto… How has this heritage influenced your worldview and the stories you’re drawn to tell?
I grew up code-switching before the term even entered the mainstream. Being Italian and Filipino in Toronto meant constantly navigating different communities, traditions and perspectives. That kind of upbringing gives you built-in adaptability. It’s shaped my attraction to stories about people who live in the grey areas, who don’t fit neatly into one box. I’ve always been drawn to the “other,” to characters navigating identity in subtle, complicated ways. Ultimately, it’s made me curious, empathetic, and comfortable telling stories that are textured, messy, and deeply human.
If you could create a project set in Italy or the Philippines, what kind of story would you want to tell?
Both Italy and the Philippines welcome you with such rich, layered histories, and visiting each for the first time as an adult was profoundly moving. I’d be drawn to a story about someone visiting for the first time in search of identity—falling in love with the place, the energy, the culture—but still feeling a quiet sense of disconnect. That tension between belonging and distance really interests me. Sometimes finding your roots doesn’t bring instant clarity, but instead raises better, more complicated questions.
You’re an avid photographer… What draws you behind the lens, and how does it differ creatively from acting?
Photography gives me more control, and the reward is almost immediate. I’m a very visual person, so capturing a fleeting moment and putting my own spin on it is incredibly satisfying. Acting in film & TV is collaborative and often delayed—you wait months or years to see the final result—whereas photography is instinctual and personal. It also teaches you to shift perspective and appreciate whatever’s in front of you, flaws and all. That mindset translates not just to acting, but to how I move through life.
When you’re not on set, where do you go to recharge? What do you look for in a travel destination?
I’m a beach bum at heart. I live about ten minutes from a great beach here in Vancouver, and just being near the ocean instantly recalibrates my mood. I also love being in the woods—fresh air, quiet, no agenda. Beyond proximity to water, I’m drawn to places with vibrant food and culture. Thailand holds a special place for me—the people, the warmth, the flavors. I’m already vision-boarding retirement somewhere on a Thai beach: cold coconut water in hand, feet in the sand.
Hiking, foraging, stand-up comedy—how do these pursuits feed your creativity?
I’m definitely an overthinker—some might say a professional worry-wart. Hiking helps clear my head and jump-start creativity that tends to stall when I’m indoors too long. Stand-up comedy fascinates me because of its precision—the math, rhythm, and musicality required to make something feel spontaneous. Finding humor in heavy or uncomfortable moments is powerful, both on screen and in real life. And foraging? Uhh honestly, food prices are wild. Free food feeds me…so it’s feeding my creativity, in a roundabout way.
With your background in modeling and appreciation for style, how would you describe your personal aesthetic? Has it evolved?
Recent trips to Italy have nudged my style toward a laid-back Tuscan sensibility—easy, natural, and a little worn-in. I’m a fan of breathable fabrics like linen, soft knits, and suede. Color-wise, I enjoy earthy tones like olive, cream, and brown. My wardrobe is simple: comfortable pants, knit polos and sweaters, and lightweight jackets. I love a good boot that gets better with age, but I also enjoy breaking things up with a bold pair of sneakers. Living in Vancouver means layering and choosing pieces that can handle rain without losing that relaxed feel. I want clothes to feel lived-in, not overly styled.
You’re developing a sci-fi comedy script… What excites you about writing and producing, and what can you share about the world you’re creating?
What I love most about writing is the collaboration. Working with a partner, you start building the inner life and outer world of these characters piece by piece, and it slowly comes together—kind of like cooking. Sometimes you realize it needs more salt, sometimes a different technique, and sometimes you just reach for the hot sauce. The sci-fi comedy space gives us room to play and sneak bigger ideas in through humor, which I really enjoy. The idea of producing it and actually bringing it to life is definitely intimidating, but also exciting. At that point, it becomes about trusting people who’ve been there before and letting their experience help turn the idea into something real.
Photo Credit:
Photographer: Storm Santos
Stylist: Tracy Shapof
