Actor Ben Hollingsworth said his family’s move from a large city to a smaller community has given his children more opportunity to play outdoors independently. In an interview with Fox News Digital published Oct. 17, 2026, he described allowing them to go out and return at an agreed time as a kind of childhood freedom he remembers from his own upbringing.
Hollingsworth said he would not feel comfortable allowing the same level of independence in Los Angeles, where he said letting a child roam near a busy street could prompt concern from others. He added that he is grateful his children can spend time outside and return by sunset.
The actor did not identify the town where his family now lives. He said they moved out of a large population center and settled in a place with a feel similar to the small community portrayed in “Virgin River.” The decision came after his wife became pregnant with their third child while he was filming the show’s third season in British Columbia, Canada, he said.
Hollingsworth said the change happened organically and described raising children in a small town as a luxury. He also said the family keeps the children grounded through sports and shared activities, including hikes.
The interview also addressed Hollingsworth’s participation in Meet Cute Con, scheduled for Nov. 6 through Nov. 8 at the Loveless Barn and Virgin Hotels Nashville. Organizers describe the event’s theme as “Small Town Swoon,” with performers from “Virgin River,” “One Tree Hill” and “The Way Home” expected to take part.
Hollingsworth said he was looking forward to meeting fans and described the event as a comparatively intimate gathering rather than a large convention-center event. He said it would be the first time the full “Virgin River” cast had gathered publicly for an event of this kind. He also praised Nashville and said the chance for fans to speak with cast members helped persuade the group to participate.
Discussing the show’s appeal, Hollingsworth said “Virgin River” offers stories centered on small-town life and community. He suggested that such stories have found an audience as streaming services reach people living outside major cities. He also said the program gained momentum during the pandemic, describing its tone as comforting. He characterized it as familiar entertainment rather than a show trying to reinvent television.
Hollingsworth’s comments about parenting and city life were personal observations in the interview. The source material does not provide independent information comparing children’s independence or safety in small towns and large cities.
