Zibby Allen is a name synonymous with depth, talent, and creative exploration. As an actress celebrated for her nuanced performances, she has captivated audiences with roles that are as complex as they are heartfelt. Most notably, her portrayal of Brie Sheridan in the hit series Virgin River has left an indelible mark, offering a raw and realistic depiction of resilience and healing. With a career that bridges the worlds of acting, writing, and producing, Zibby embodies the spirit of a true storyteller, someone who seeks to foster empathy and understanding through her art.
In this exclusive interview, Zibby reflects on her journey—both personal and professional—highlighting the themes, relationships, and aspirations that continue to shape her life and career. Explore more about her work on Virgin River by visiting its official Netflix page.
IRK: Brie has undergone significant personal growth throughout Virgin River. How have you approached portraying her journey, especially in addressing sensitive topics like trauma and resilience?
Zibby: As with any role, my way in is to find the common emotional thread. Brie’s circumstances may be different from mine, but from an emotional point of view, I understand and have lived a version of the emotions she is also living. So the simple connective tissue of our shared humanity keeps her journey accessible to me and my job of portraying it on screen. The writers have worked closely with RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, to ensure we are helping tell Brie’s story of trauma and recovery with honesty and sensitivity. It’s made for a really nuanced and imperfect journey for Brie that’s been a real privilege to explore.
IRK: Portraying Sensitive Issues: Brie’s storyline includes experiences with sexual assault and miscarriage. How do you prepare for such roles, and what impact do you hope these narratives have on viewers?
Zibby: I suppose it starts with empathy and research. In general, my job as an artist is to stay connected to my inner world, cultivate self-awareness, and remain open so I’m emotionally available for the heavier storylines. So that’s my aim and my practice. For Brie’s story, I’m also just so grateful for our collaboration with RAINN, so I can trust we’re approaching Brie’s experiences with care and authenticity.
My hope is that these narratives create connection and understanding. They can spark conversations, reduce stigma, and remind viewers that they’re not alone. Healing is definitely not linear, but if Brie’s journey resonates with even one person, I feel we’ve done something meaningful.
IRK: Life with Adam Blair and Kona: You share your life with your husband, visual artist Adam Blair, and your rescue dog, Kona. How do your personal experiences and relationships inform your artistic choices and performances?
Zibby: I’m not sure I could do what I’m doing at this level without Adam and Kona. They provide such a grounding source of love, stability, and consistency. In our household, there’s so much space to simply be and know we are unconditionally loved and respected by one another, creating a really safe foundation from which to explore my humanity through my work.
I also find them both—Adam and Kona—very inspiring. Adam’s creativity and the way he sees the world truly open my eyes to new perspectives. Kona’s pure sweetness, quiet indifference, and joyful ease are constant reminders to stay present and appreciate the moment. Their love and our connection enrich my life enormously and, in turn, my work.
Zibby Allen wearing Jacket & Pants: 831 Minhle, Necklace: Seven Melanie, Ring: Let’s Curate, Earrings CDD Jewelry.
IRK: Upcoming Projects and Goals: What future roles or projects are you passionate about pursuing? Are there specific themes or stories you are eager to explore in your career?
Zibby: I’ve been saying for a while now that I’d love to dive into a period piece, especially a female-driven historical drama. There’s something about exploring different eras and the complexities of women’s lives within those worlds that feels incredibly compelling to me right now.
That said, it’s hard to pinpoint one specific role or project I’m set on pursuing. I come from a theater background—a true thespian at heart—and I’ve always valued having the range to step into vastly different characters and genres. My main focus is ensuring I don’t get boxed into a single type of role or genre. Plus, I want to keep surprising myself.
IRK: Series’ Global Appeal: Virgin River has garnered a worldwide audience. In your view, what elements of the show resonate most with viewers, and how has being part of this series influenced your career trajectory?
Zibby: Virgin River is a feel-good show. It’s gentle on the nervous system. While it doesn’t shy away from heavy topics and the real-life issues people face every day, at its core, it’s really a story about connection—good people trying to do right by one another and helping each other navigate life’s ups and downs. There’s also a strong emphasis on romantic love: the fight to find it, keep it, feel worthy of it, and protect it. It doesn’t get much more universal than that, in my opinion.
I’m not sure yet how being part of this series will influence my career trajectory, but I’m certainly grateful to be a part of something so globally loved. No matter where I am in the world, complete strangers often feel compelled to tell me how much they love Virgin River. It’s amazing, really.
IRK: Connecting with the Audience: How do you engage with your fan base, and what feedback have you received that has been particularly meaningful or surprising?
Zibby: The other week, Adam and I took a road trip through the Scottish countryside. We found ourselves in a tiny town, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, when a lovely woman approached me at the pub. After she got over the initial shock of seeing us in such a remote spot, she shared how much she loves the show. But what really moved me was when she spoke about how Brie’s sexual assault storyline inspired her to seek therapy to address her own trauma. She told me she had recently adopted a cat as a symbol of a major milestone in her recovery—and named the cat Brie, after my character. It was such a deeply touching moment, and it meant the world to me to hear how the show had made such a meaningful impact on her life.
IRK: Navigating Complex Characters: What challenges have you faced in bringing complex characters like Brie to life, and how do you overcome them to deliver authentic performances?
Zibby: I’ve learned that this work requires a strange balance of preparedness and letting go—making sure I’m not assigning too much importance to "getting it right." The moment I see a role or opportunity as something too big or important, I inadvertently shrink myself, cutting off any natural path into it. So, I focus on reducing the pressure and trusting myself—my empathy, my emotional instrument, my intuition. These are the qualities I rely on to overcome the challenge of playing a complex character.
IRK: Guidance for Emerging Talent: Drawing from your diverse experiences in acting, writing, producing, and music, what advice would you offer to individuals aspiring to enter the entertainment industry?
Zibby: It’s not like we all visit "The Desire Shop" and pick "acting/writing/music/creative career" off the top shelf, then pay for it with our emotional and financial security. In other words, if the desire is in you, it’s there for a reason. Your only job is to nurture and nourish that desire the best way you can, based on where you're at. Trust that it will grow you into the next step, and then the next, and so on. The rest is just noise. There’s no one way to get where you want to go—especially in this industry—so don’t worry about the "how." Focus on the "what you love to do," and do it.
IRK: We’re committed to raising awareness about the United Nations’ Global Goals for Sustainable Development—a blueprint for creating a better future. 17 Goals at sdgs.un.org.
Zibby: Clean Water and SanitationSustainable Cities and CommunitiesGood Health and Well-BeingIndustry Innovation and Infrastructure.
Photographer: Jayme Thornton @jaymethornton
Editor/Stylist: Cannon @thecannonmediagroup
Market Editor: Winnie Noan @winnie_noan
Stylist Assistants: Alaye @alayealleyne / Gabi @gjagodzinska_
HMU: Geo Brian @geobrianhmu with Exclusive Artists @exclusiveartists
Using Danessa Myricks @danessa_myricks
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