Virgin River may be an easy show for fans to watch, but it is a difficult one to prepare for. Kandyse McClure, who stars as Kaia Bryant in the Netflix drama, is proof of just that.
Season seven of Virgin River premiered on Thursday, March 12, 2026, garnering more than seven million views on Netflix globally in its first four days of release. A key character of this season is Kaia and her work as a firefighter in the aftermath of the Yosemite wildfires.
To prepare for the physical role of a firefighter, Kandyse had to “really intensify” her training. In a recent conversation, she told HELLO!: “My preparation for Kaia is quite physical. It’s why I started running and like strength training.”
© Courtesy of NetflixKandyse’s character is in a relationship with Preacher
The 45-year-old actress explained: “I really try to lift heavy weights, do very kind of intense, extreme things – hot yoga and sauna – because that sort of mirrors the kind of intensity that I feel I need [in the role].”
“[I] actually increased my physicality, especially this last season,” Kandyse told HELLO!. She joked: “I mean, [during] the wedding episode [there] was a lot of eating, a lot of sitting around. I think both me and Kaia were like, ‘Hold on a second. Okay, we got to get back to business.’”
So, on-screen, Kaia is a physical, talented firefighter, and off-screen, Kandyse is a runner – taking in the beautiful landscape of British Columbia on her man runs.
© Getty ImagesBefore starring in Virgin River, Kandyse was in Battlestar Galactica
“The landscape is a character of the show,” the actress shared, noting that she “immersed” herself into the locations. She added: “Part of it is immersing yourself [and] really taking in where you are, because [the landscape] plays a role in what you’re doing [and] what you’re saying.”
Kandyse’s Virgin River journey
Kandyse joined the beloved Netflix drama and a solidified cast during season five.
“At first, it was a bit intimidating,” she told HELLO!. “It [was] like jumping on a moving ferris wheel, and you got to keep up.” Kandyse continued: “But once I realized the dedication, the work ethic, and the grace of all the actors that I work with,” everything clicked into place.
© Getty ImagesIn Zulu, Kaia means home
Quickly, “the intimidation dissipated,” and Kandyse became friends with her costars, especially Colin Lawrence who plays John “Preacher” Middleton and Benjamin Hollingsworth who plays Daniel Brady.
“[Working with Colin] is fun, especially because [he’s] always pushing for the scene,” the actress explained. And in season seven, Kaia really connected with Brady. “I particularly love Kaia and Brady’s friendship this season…it’s really special, especially the work they do together.”
While Virgin River fans may take away Kandyse’s fitness routine, she is taking away the sense of home.
© Charles ZuckermannThe actress describes her character in Virgin River as a “spitfire”
“My father speaks Zulu and I come from a Zulu speaking place in South Africa,” the actress told HELLO!. “But I don’t speak it. I was talking to [Virgin River showrunner] Sean [Smith] about the journey this season and the full circle moment [Kaia] has…how she really finds the sense of home within herself.”
She continued: “And [Sean said]: ‘Yeah that’s her name. Her name means home [in Zulu].” Kandyse – her character Kaia – seems to have really found her home and her rhythm on Virgin River.
