Marco Grazzini on Playing Mike in Netflix’s ‘Virgin River’
“In my early twenties, I was in a similar situation where the beginning of the relationship was a bit of a messy triangle—a clusterf#ck, actually,” says Marco Grazzini, also known as Mike in Netflix series Virgin River. “But sometimes the heart wants what it wants.”
With roles in Kim's Convenience, The Flash and Heroes Reborn, Marco is also the original voice of Alejandro in Cartoon Network's Total Drama World Tour.
In a recent interview with PhotoBook Magazine, Grazzini offers an intimate look at his portrayal of Mike on Virgin River, and the ways the character intersects with his own life. Originally from Toronto, Canada, he explains how he draws on different sides of his identity—leaning into his Filipino roots for comedy, and his Italian-Toronto edge for grit and flair.
Marco, what is it like being part of Netflix’s longest-running original series, Virgin River, and what do you think it is about the show that resonates with audiences?
It’s been an absolute gift being part of such a well-received and truly loved show. Seven seasons is quite a feat. I’ve never played a character for this long, so at this point he feels like an old, dear friend. I only fully grasp the reach of the show when I’m abroad and get recognized. I’ve had wonderful chats with fans recently in Ireland, Italy, Bali... It’s quite humbling to know that this little show we make in Vancouver resonates with so many people around the world.
I think Virgin River’s main appeal is that it represents the ideal of being part of a loving, collaborative community, surrounded by friends and family. Fans have watched these characters go through their ups and downs for six seasons now, so there’s a very rich relationship that’s evolved. And of course, there’s a healthy serving of cliffhangers and scandalous drama for your mama.
Given its long run, how would you describe the energy on the Virgin River set?
I haven’t been there from the very beginning, but since my first day on set in season two, one thing has remained constant: a deep commitment to the craft. That goes for everyone, both in front of and behind the camera. Everyone is laser-focused when the camera’s rolling, but thankfully we balance that out with plenty of jokes and light-hearted ball-busting.
In Virgin River, Mike is caught in a love triangle this season involving Brie and Brady. How do you approach portraying these intertwined relationships on screen?
I always approach my characters with empathy, trying to uncover their truth. That becomes my compass, helping me navigate moment to moment, scene to scene. Honestly, if Mike were my friend in real life, I’d tell him that Brie is no bueno and that he deserves better. But as an actor, I have to reconcile my personal opinions and calibrate myself to Mike’s wants and needs…I also have a very accessible personal experience from my youth to draw from.
Without spilling any secrets, what can you tell us about where Mike’s story is heading?
Well, obviously Mike—and the entire fanbase—are waiting on Brie’s answer to his proposal. I can say that in season seven, Mike has a lot on his plate: love, crime-solving, and the usual healthy serving of Virgin River drama. There are a lot of fast-paced, tense moments throughout the season, which I thoroughly enjoyed playing.
Having appeared in projects ranging from The Flash to Supernatural to Heroes Reborn, what factors most influence your decision to take on a role?
First and foremost, it’s usually a role that sparks something in me—whether that’s curiosity or a challenge. I always want to be of service to the script and genuinely be a fan of the story being cobbled together. And if people I admire or am friends with are involved in the project, I take that as a very good sign that it’ll be both a great experience and a good time.
What was the experience like filming Haunted Harmony Mysteries, the Hallmark series, in Ireland?
I’ll start by giving the entire Irish acting community their well-deserved flowers. Every Irish actor I’ve shared the screen with has been phenomenal, no matter the size of the role. Filming exteriors in Ireland’s gorgeous, manic weather is like nothing else. We’ve done four films now, so getting the chance to reconnect with the cast and crew who’ve been there all along always feels like a reunion. I’m also in a love triangle on that series, by the way. Triangles...they’re acute. Yes, I’m a dad.
How would you describe your transition from modelling to acting, and what motivated you to pursue it?
Two months into my modelling career in the Philippines, I filmed a toothpaste commercial. It was shot over three days in a hot, blazing desert, and I was crammed into a VW combi for about twelve hours a day with another actor. Admittedly, it was a hilariously blatant Dude, Where’s My Car? rip-off. We played two dehydrated himbos hallucinating waves of toothpaste freshness splashing over us from billboards as we drove through the desert. A masterpiece.
That shoot sparked a creative curiosity in me, along with an unrelenting desire to pursue acting. I enrolled in acting classes as soon as I got back home to Toronto, modelling along the way but always prioritizing acting. Modelling was a nice side gig, but I always felt like a tourist.
Having grown up in Toronto and being the son of Italian and Filipino parents, in what ways has your multicultural upbringing shaped you as an actor?
I think the Filipino side comes out more in my comedy-leaning scenes. There’s a default to humor in Filipino culture—it can get a little hammy. The Italian-Toronto side of me comes out in scenes with a bit more edge and saltiness.
Has your fluency in multiple languages given you an advantage in acting and the way you communicate on screen?
I’ve acted in Spanish quite a bit, and it definitely helps to think in Spanish on those shooting days. I’d love to eventually speak French and Italian in a role as well.
What type of projects do you hope to explore next?
I miss doing sci-fi. It really captures my imagination, and I love projects with dense mythology. I’ve also never done a horror project, which intrigues me...although I might get freaked out halfway through the shoot and quit if it’s too scary.
CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Marco Grazzini
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Storm Santos
Tearsheets by Daniel Lopez, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Introduction by Brya Sheridan, Assistant to Editor-in-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Leonor Moreira, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
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