You probably know him as Jack Sheridan. The rugged, kind-hearted bar owner in Virgin River who somehow makes a flannel shirt look like high fashion. But honestly, if you only know Martin Henderson from the misty woods of Northern California, you’ve basically missed three decades of some of the most eclectic career moves in show business.
He didn't just appear out of thin air to woo Mel Monroe.
Henderson has been around. Like, The Ring around. Like, Britney Spears music video (Toxic, anyone?) around. He’s the guy who has been the "next big thing" about four different times in three different countries. From teenage soap star in New Zealand to a leading man in Hollywood horror, and then back to the top of the Netflix charts, the guy is a survivor.
The Virgin River Effect and What’s Coming in 2026
Let’s get the big news out of the way first. If you’re here, you’re probably wondering when we get more Jack and Mel. Netflix finally stopped playing games and confirmed that Virgin River Season 7 is officially dropping on March 12, 2026.
It feels like we’ve been waiting forever, right? Usually, this show is like clockwork—one season every year since 2019. But they skipped 2025 entirely, which was a bit of a gut punch for the fans. When it returns, we're looking at 10 episodes that pick up right after that Season 6 wedding.
Word is the new season dives straight into the "honeymoon phase," but this is Virgin River, so you know that bliss is going to last about five minutes before some town-wide catastrophe happens. Specifically, we need to know what happened to Charmaine. The Season 6 cliffhanger left her fate pretty up in the air, and Jack’s discovery in that nursery was... well, it wasn't good.
Martin Henderson Movies and Shows: The Early Years
Before he was Jack, he was Stuart Neilson.
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If you grew up in New Zealand in the 90s, Martin Henderson was your absolute idol. He started on Shortland Street in 1992 when he was just 17. It’s the longest-running soap in NZ, and he was there on day one. He played the quintessential "good kid," but he got bored of it and moved to Australia to try his luck there.
He did the classic Aussie rounds—Echo Point, Home and Away, and a show called Sweat where he actually starred alongside a very young Heath Ledger.
It’s kinda wild to think about now, but Henderson and Ledger were basically competing for the same heartthrob roles back then. While Heath blew up in 10 Things I Hate About You, Martin took the slower, "working actor" route, eventually landing a role in the John Woo war flick Windtalkers (2002).
The Big Break: That Creepy Tape
Most people forget that Martin Henderson was the male lead in The Ring (2002).
He played Noah, the skeptical father who watches the cursed tape and—spoiler alert for a 24-year-old movie—does not have a great time at the end. That movie was a massive cultural reset for horror, and it should have made him a global A-list superstar.
Instead, he took some weird, interesting turns.
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- Torque (2004): A neon-soaked biker movie that was basically Fast & Furious on two wheels. Critics hated it. Cult fans loved it.
- Bride & Prejudice (2004): He played William Darcy (yes, that Darcy) in a Bollywood-style musical. Honestly? He actually pulled off the dancing.
- Smokin' Aces (2006): He played a hitman. It was gritty, loud, and totally against his "pretty boy" image.
The Grey’s Anatomy "Stopgap" Era
For a lot of TV fans, the most polarizing part of the Martin Henderson movies and shows list is his stint as Dr. Nathan Riggs on Grey’s Anatomy.
He joined in Season 12, right after Patrick Dempsey’s Derek Shepherd died. Talk about a thankless job. You’re coming in to replace the most beloved male lead in TV history. Even Ellen Pompeo later admitted the network was just desperate to "get a penis in there" to keep the romance plots moving.
Henderson didn't stay long—just about two seasons. He’s been surprisingly candid about why he left. He told Deadline that his contract was short-term and he always knew Riggs was a "stopgap measure."
But here’s the kicker: with Grey’s still chugging along in 2026, rumors of a Riggs return never truly die. In recent interviews, Henderson hasn't ruled it out. He says he’d be open to scrubbing back in as long as the writers actually have a "clear plan" for the character this time, rather than just being Meredith’s rebound.
Hidden Gems You Actually Should Watch
If you’ve finished your Virgin River rewatch and need something else, don't just stick to the hits. There are a few projects in his filmography that deserve way more love than they got.
1. The Red Road (2014-2015)
This is probably his best performance. It was a moody, atmospheric Sundance TV drama. He plays a local cop struggling to keep his family together while dealing with a clash between a small town and a nearby Native American tribe. It’s dark, intense, and shows that he has way more range than just "charming guy with a beard."
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2. Little Fish (2005)
He stars opposite Cate Blanchett in this Australian film about heroin addiction and recovery. He plays an amputee who is struggling to stay clean. It’s a tough watch, but he was nominated for an AFI Award for it. It’s the role that proves he’s a serious actor, not just a TV face.
3. X (2022)
Ti West’s slasher movie was a huge hit, and Martin plays Wayne, the sleazy, silver-tongued producer of the "adult film" the group is trying to make. It’s hilarious, gross, and completely different from anything else he’s done. Seeing Jack Sheridan with a prosthetic mustache and a 70s swagger is an experience.
Why He Still Matters in 2026
Henderson has this weirdly durable career. He’s 51 now, and he’s arguably more popular than he was in his 20s.
Part of that is the "comfort watch" revolution. Shows like Virgin River aren't trying to be Succession. They’re trying to be a warm blanket. Henderson understands that. He plays Jack with a certain groundedness that makes the soapy plotlines feel real.
He also stays busy with smaller Kiwi projects like My Life Is Murder alongside Lucy Lawless. He seems perfectly happy jumping between massive Netflix productions and indie projects back home in New Zealand.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Mark the Calendar: March 12, 2026, is the Virgin River return. If you haven't rewatched Season 6, do it by February to remember where the Charmaine drama left off.
- Track Down 'The Red Road': If you want to see his best acting work, it’s often available on AMC+ or for rent. It’s worth the $4.
- Watch 'X' (If you have the stomach for it): It’s on most streaming platforms now. Just don't expect the cozy vibes of the Pacific Northwest.
- Follow the New Zealand Scene: Keep an eye on Kiwi streamers for Madam, his more recent project that hasn't had as much US press.
Henderson has navigated the "heartthrob" trap better than most. He didn't fade away when the 2000s leading man roles dried up; he just waited for the right TV scripts to find him. Whether he’s a doctor, a killer, or a bar owner, he’s consistently the most reliable guy on the screen.