Benjamin Hollingsworth is the Canadian actor behind Dan Brady, the bad boy with a good heart on Netflix’s Virgin River. With classical training, a long résumé, and close to 400K Instagram followers, he stays busy on screen and off. At age 42, he’s also a husband, a father of three, and an open advocate for adults living with ADHD.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Allen Nicolas Hollingsworth |
| Nickname/Stage Name | Ben Hollingsworth |
| Date of Birth | September 7, 1984 |
| Place of Birth | Brockville, Ontario, Canada |
| Age | 42 (as of October 2026) |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Profession/Occupation | Actor, Producer |
| Years Active | 2003–present |
| Education | St. Peter’s Secondary School (Peterborough); National Theatre School of Canada (graduated 2006) |
| Genre/Field | Television drama, film, romance TV movies, stage |
| Spouse/Partner | Nila Myers (married 2012) |
| Children | 3 — Hemingway Nash, Gatsby Willem, Juniper Bloom |
| Height | 5′10½″ (1.79 m) |
| Notable Works | Virgin River, Code Black, Cold Pursuit, The Joneses, Joe Pickett |
| Awards/Honors | Golden Maple Award nomination (2016); Robert Merritt Award nomination |
| Social Media | Instagram (close to 400K followers) |
Early Life and Education
Hollingsworth was born in Brockville, Ontario, and grew up in nearby Peterborough. As a child, he enjoyed a kind of freedom that big-city kids rarely get. His first money came from shovelling snow off neighbours’ driveways, an early sign of the work ethic he still talks about today.
School was harder. He was diagnosed with an auditory processing disability, so he needed extra test time, quiet rooms, note-takers, and computer spell-check to keep up. Rather than hide it, he learned to advocate for himself — a skill that later shaped how he talks about learning differences in public.
He started acting as a teen in 2003, and after high school he was accepted into the three-year conservatory program at the National Theatre School of Canada in Montréal. He graduated in 2006 and soon headed to L.A., where he would spend about 15 years before moving back to Canada.
Giving Back to Teachers
His school experience never really left him. Hollingsworth has taken part in workshops aimed at teaching teachers how to spot learning disabilities early. In one session he reached around 150 teachers — a practical way of making sure the next kid in his position gets help sooner.
Career and Notable Roles
Hollingsworth’s career moved from small roles to a lead role on network TV in under a decade. His first TV guest role came on Degrassi: The Next Generation, and his early credits included CSI: Miami and the Canadian favourite Heartland, shot in Calgary. On stage, he played Lance Corporal Dawson in A Few Good Men and earned a Robert Merritt Award nomination for theatre work.
His big break in film came with The Joneses (2009), where he played Mick Jones opposite Demi Moore, David Duchovny, and Amber Heard. That same year he starred in The Beautiful Life: TBL. More film credits followed, including Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Joy Ride 3, and the Rabid remake.
The role that put him firmly on the map was Dr. Mario Savetti in the CBS medical drama Code Black (2015–2018), alongside Marcia Gay Harden and Rob Lowe. The performance earned him a 2016 Golden Maple Award nomination. A year later he joined Liam Neeson in the thriller Cold Pursuit.
Selected Film and TV Credits
| Title | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Joneses (2009) | Film | Mick Jones, with Demi Moore |
| The Beautiful Life: TBL (2009) | TV series | Early series role |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011) | Film | Supporting role |
| Joy Ride 3 (2014) | Film | Horror sequel |
| Code Black (2015–2018) | TV series (CBS) | Dr. Mario Savetti |
| Cold Pursuit (2019) | Film | With Liam Neeson |
| Rabid (2019) | Film | Remake |
| Virgin River (2019–present) | TV series (Netflix) | Dan Brady |
| Joe Pickett | TV series | Based on C.J. Box novels, from the Dowdle Brothers |
He has also appeared in Suits (alongside Meghan Markle), Once Upon a Time, Motive, Tomorrow People, Backstrom, Nashville, Debris, Nancy Drew, So Help Me Todd, and The Line, plus one-episode cameos across many other series.
Hallmark Films and TV Movies
Fans of feel-good romance know him from a steady run of Hallmark films and TV movies. These include Coming Home for Christmas, A Godwink Christmas: Meant For Love, Love Under the Olive Tree, Lucky in Love, Romance in Style, A Splash of Love, A Wish Come True, and Can’t Buy Me Love. His most recent holiday release, The Christmas Ring, kept that streak going.
Dan Brady in Virgin River
Dan Brady is a Marine veteran who served with Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson). He starts as a lone wolf and an outcast — someone viewers were meant to distrust. Over the seasons, the character moved from near-villain to one of the show’s most layered redemption arcs.
Brady’s story is messy in the best way. He gets pulled into the town’s drug trade, faces a Season 3 arrest, and keeps losing the things that matter. As Hollingsworth puts it, Brady can never keep good things. His on-and-off romance with Brie, played by Zibby Allen, became the heart of that struggle, especially after Mike’s marriage proposal to her.
What makes the role interesting is the contrast with the actor himself. Brady has little family support; Hollingsworth grew up with a loving, supportive family. He’s joked that he’s much nicer than Brady. That gap gives him freedom with the character — he can play the edges without worrying about being liked.
Behind the Scenes
The camaraderie on set is real. Hollingsworth has shared stories about hiking the Grouse Grind on Grouse Mountain with castmates, and he calls the lumberjack episode one of his funniest moments on set. Interestingly, Brady plays a smaller role in Robyn Carr’s books, so the show expanded him far beyond the source material. Season 7 premiered on March 12, 2026.
Why Virgin River Connects With Viewers
Virgin River is now Netflix’s longest-running English scripted series and one of its most-streamed shows. The appeal is simple: it’s comfort viewing. The show premiered just before the pandemic, and when people felt isolated, a remote California town full of neighbours who show up for each other comforted millions.
The irony is that this American small town is built by a Canadian community. The show films around Vancouver, and its cast — Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe, Tim Matheson, Annette O’Toole, Colin Lawrence, and Lauren Hammersley — has become a kind of extended family.
Hollingsworth credits the writing as well. Cliffhanger episode endings keep viewers hooked, while the “apple pie entertainment” tone offers what streaming services rarely portray: a sense of community. From my own years following the show, the slow-burn characters like Brady are what bring viewers back every season.
Wife Nila Myers and Marriage
Benjamin Hollingsworth’s wife is Nila Myers, a former model who has worked as a lingerie designer and a fitness instructor at the Bar Method. The couple met in 2010 at a crowded West Hollywood nightclub — on his own birthday. Nila, still a stranger then, invited him to her table, and the rest followed quickly.
Their first date left a mark: Nila wore a red dress, Ben was nervous, and the dinner was at a cobblestone restaurant that would later inspire a child’s name. Nila has been vegetarian since birth, which shaped the family’s eating habits.
The proposal is a favourite story. They were broke, staying at Nila’s sister’s home on an air mattress. When a power outage hit, Ben rented a generator to light the chandeliers and proposed anyway. They married in 2012 in Malibu, and he marked their 10th anniversary with an Instagram tribute.
Their Secret to a Lasting Marriage
Hollingsworth says family comes first, but the couple also protects time for just the two of them — one night away each month. Shared hobbies help too. In Vancouver, they hike old-growth rainforest trails together, a habit that has outlasted every busy filming schedule.
Children
Benjamin Hollingsworth has three children with Nila:
- Hemingway Nash — born July 3, 2016
- Gatsby Willem — born March 16, 2018
- Juniper Bloom — born October 15, 2020
Each name has meaning. Hemingway honours the restaurant from their date and the surname of a favourite author. Gatsby comes from Ben’s favourite book, The Great Gatsby. Juniper was chosen because the tree grows where other plants struggle — a quiet message about resilience.
Hemingway was diagnosed with ADHD at age 5, which led the family to learn emotional-regulation techniques together: running laps, drinking water, and going outside to breathe. Ben says these tools keep the household grounded, and that three kids are more than enough — the family has no pets.
Raising children who are recognized alongside their famous dad isn’t always easy. Fans recognize him daily, and the kids can get impatient when strangers stop them in public. He tries to balance gratitude for fans with protecting their family time.
Moving to British Columbia and Small-Town Life
Around 2021, the family left L.A. and moved back to Canada. Nila was pregnant with their third child when the decision took shape. Since Virgin River films in Vancouver, British Columbia became the natural home base.
Hollingsworth wanted his kids to play outside freely, the way he did in Ontario. They now live in a small town much like Virgin River, though he doesn’t name the town on social media for privacy reasons. They chose space over luxury and talk about eventually building a house of their own.
Small-town living also means sports and outdoor life. Winter brings skiing at Whistler, and summer means family hikes. For an actor who spent years in the big city, the move felt less like a career compromise and more like coming home.
Balancing Career and Family
A steady TV series is easier on family life than constant film work, and Hollingsworth knows it. Still, long days are part of the job: call times at 5 a.m. and wrap times near midnight are common during shoots.
When the kids were small — three kids under 5 at one point — he squeezed in school pickups at 4:30 whenever set time allowed. For projects like Joe Pickett and Nashville, the family often travelled together so he could see the kids on weekends and between takes.
His practical approach: take family along when possible, use free time fully, and accept that the kids grow fast. He says being home is how he recharges for the next shoot.
Co-Stars and Staying Grounded
Over a long career, Hollingsworth has worked near some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Liam Neeson, Demi Moore, David Duchovny, Marcia Gay Harden, and Rob Lowe. His takeaway is consistent: the most talented actors are usually the most grounded.
He has pointed to stars such as Paul Rudd, Matt Damon, Edward Norton, and Ben Stiller as examples of performers who keep their ego in check and care about their craft. In his view, that attitude explains their longevity more than talent alone.
On Virgin River, his close friends include Martin Henderson (Jack) and Zibby Allen. He says a successful career means little if you can’t be a decent co-worker — a lesson he hopes to pass on to his kids.
Hobbies and Lifestyle
Hockey is his biggest passion. He’s a lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs fan and played in an actors’ hockey league in the L.A. area. Fishing and hiking round out his time outdoors.
During gym closures, he stayed fit by pushing a running stroller and pulling a bike trailer with the kids. That routine, along with a mostly plant-based, pescatarian diet, helped him lose weight and keep his energy up for long shoot days.
ADHD Diagnosis and Advocacy
Hollingsworth was diagnosed with ADHD at age 38, after his son Hemingway’s diagnosis made him recognize the same symptoms in himself. Looking back, his struggles with distraction, organization, time management, and impulse control suddenly made sense.
He describes ADHD less as a focus problem and more as an emotional regulation challenge. Overstimulation could make controlling his temper hard. Getting a diagnosis as an adult gave him tools — and relief that he wasn’t lazy or less smart than others.
Today he speaks openly to fight the stigma. His message to parents: kids with ADHD are often bright and creative, and early support changes everything.
Charity Work
Charity work has been part of his life since his teens. He first started performing professionally at 14 to help raise money for a local homeless shelter in Peterborough, and he has volunteered with homeless shelters since.
He has also helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity. Giving back is something he talks about as a family value, not a publicity line.
Favourite Drinks and Home Bar
Hollingsworth is a scotch man first. His favourite drink is scotch neat, and his home bar reflects that.
| Category | His Picks |
|---|---|
| Everyday scotch | Lagavulin 16 |
| Special-occasion bottles | Macallan 25, Johnnie Walker Blue |
| Whiskey | Writers’ Tears, Basil Hayden |
| Classic cocktail | Rusty Nail (scotch + Drambuie) — his dad’s favourite |
| Easy mixer | Moscow Mules with Tito’s or Belvedere |
| Canadian staple | Caesars, even at breakfast on occasion |
Some favourite memories involve drinks with friends: toasting with his groomsmen at his wedding, nights at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, and the Boom Boom Room in NYC. His dream drinking partner? Canadian hero Terry Fox.
Meet Cute Con 2026
Hollingsworth is among the stars set for Meet Cute Con 2026, running November 6–8 in Nashville at the Virgin Hotels. This year’s theme is “Small Town Swoon,” bringing together stars from Virgin River, One Tree Hill, and The Way Home.
For many fans, it’s a rare chance to meet the cast in person, with events also planned at the Loveless Barn. It’s billed as the first public cast event of its kind for the theme, so expect long lines for the Virgin River panels.
Views on Canadian Film Industry
Hollingsworth pushes back on the old stigma around Canadian TV. Much of the best American TV is shot in Vancouver and Toronto, and he believes where a project films shouldn’t decide how good it is.
He sees Virgin River as proof: a show made by Canadian crews and many Canadian actors that became a global hit. He hopes more Canadian performers get leading roles at home, rather than feeling they must leave for L.A. like he once did.
Favourites and Personal Picks
| Category | Favourite |
|---|---|
| Movies | Se7en, Fight Club, Snatch |
| Love story | The Notebook |
| Book | The Great Gatsby |
| Shower song | Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” |
| Cologne | D&G The One |
| Designer | Scotch & Soda |
| Holiday | Christmas and Thanksgiving |
| Fall treat | Pumpkin pie |
Beyond lists, his values are telling. He wants to teach his kids empathy and imagination. His definition of happiness is looking forward to going to work every day. And his best advice comes from a Terry Fox quote about never giving up.
Future Plans
His future plans are mostly about family. He talks about a big family home where kids — and future grandkids — can gather, plus more travel together.
He also wants to keep giving back through charity and advocacy. As for awards, he jokes about an Oscar someday, but says steady work he’s proud of matters more.
FAQs
Is Benjamin Hollingsworth Canadian or American?
He is Canadian, born in Brockville, Ontario. He lived in Los Angeles for about 15 years for work but moved his family back to British Columbia, where Virgin River is filmed.
How tall is Benjamin Hollingsworth?
Ben Hollingsworth stands about 5′10½″ (1.79 m). His height and athletic build suit physical roles like the Marine veteran Brady.
Where is Virgin River filmed?
Although the story is set in a remote Northern California town, Virgin River is filmed in and around Vancouver, British Columbia. Locations include small coastal towns and forested areas near the city.
Is Brady in the Virgin River books?
Yes, but Brady has a much smaller role in Robyn Carr’s novels. The Netflix series expanded his backstory, his relationship with Brie, and his redemption arc well beyond the books.
Where can I watch Benjamin Hollingsworth’s movies and shows?
Virgin River streams exclusively on Netflix. His Hallmark movies air on Hallmark channels and its streaming service, while Code Black and his films are available on various rental and streaming platforms depending on your region.
Does Benjamin Hollingsworth have Instagram?
Yes. He has close to 400K followers on Instagram, where he shares family moments, behind-the-scenes clips from Virgin River, and posts about ADHD awareness.
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