Inside the World of Marco Grazzini

Marco Grazzini has spent over two decades captivating audiences with a rare blend of emotional depth, effortless charm, and international appeal. Best known to global viewers as “Mike” on Netflix’s beloved hit series Virgin River, Grazzini brings nuance and heart to every role he takes on – from gripping dramas to lighthearted fan favorites. Born in Toronto to Italian and Filipino parents, fluent in multiple languages, and shaped by a life that spans cultures and continents, his journey to the screen is as compelling as the characters he portrays. Off camera, he’s a devoted father, creative spirit, and advocate for mental well-being in an increasingly digital world. As Virgin River prepares to return for its highly anticipated seventh season, Miami Living sits down with Marco to talk love triangles, life behind the scenes, and the path that led him exactly to where he’s meant to be.

Miami Living (ML): Marco, welcome – we’re so excited to have you with us! How are you feeling in this season of life and career right now?

Marco: Happy to sit down and chat with you! First and foremost, I feel excited and humbled to experience the world as co-pilot to my wife and 2 and a half-year-old daughter. Career-wise, I’m feeling renewed curiosity, determination, and gratitude. I am a Virgo in every sense of the word, so I’m constantly trying to negotiate my pragmatism and OCD tendencies while favoring my more creative and intuitive side.

ML: Your background is incredibly rich and multicultural: Italian and Filipino roots, raised in Toronto, fluent in multiple languages. How did that upbringing shape who you are today as a person and as an artist?

Marco: Growing up in a multicultural household and city meant I was exposed to an eclectic mix of languages, food, music, and perspectives. I was also lucky enough to grow up in the time before social media where there didn’t seem to be as much tribalism and friction amongst people as there is nowadays. I think I understood very early on that there is never one way to see the world, and that curiosity is always a good thing.

As an actor, that naturally lends itself to empathy, which is really the core of what we do. You’re constantly stepping into someone else’s shoes and trying to understand where they’re coming from. My upbringing normalized the idea that culture and identity can be layered and fluid.

ML: Many people know you from Virgin River, but for someone who hasn’t watched the show yet, how would you explain what makes the series so special, and who your character Mike is at his core?

Marco: So many elements combine to make Virgin River special - the breathtaking landscapes of where we shoot in British Columbia, the tense cliff-hangers peppered throughout, and of course Virgin River wouldn’t be Virgin River without a handful of tastefully shot scenes of sexy times! Having said that, I feel that the main reason Virgin River resonates so profoundly with so many is because it speaks to the fundamental human ideal of living in a small community, surrounded by friends and family. We’re very lucky to have a fanbase that feels a deep connection to the characters on the show, and the fans truly want what’s best for them - so that’s a testament to the talent of our writers and cast.

My character Mike is a good man, he is selfless and empathetic, maybe to a fault. Being a cop, he is unrelenting in his desire to uphold justice and to do the right thing. The fun stuff to watch is when there’s conflict between Mike’s very defined moral compass and his personal relationships with other characters on the show. In love, Mike falls hard and fast, he’s a hopeless romantic.

ML: Mike is at the center of one of TV’s most talked-about love triangles this season in Virgin River. What do you think he understands about love that maybe the audience, or even Brie, is still figuring out?

Marco: “Love is patient, love is kind” - Mike might have that tattooed somewhere on his body. He definitely operates from a place of emotional maturity, knowing that sometimes two people getting together is a delicate dance of will and fate. I think Mike sees the bigger picture and understands the context of where Brie is in her life - she’s got a lot of baggage. Mike sees through the mess and is willing to accept and love her, faults and all. The heart wants what it wants for everyone involved in this triangle - and that’s what makes it so engaging for the audience.

ML: Your path into acting sparked while working on a toothpaste commercial. Was there a specific moment in that experience when you realized, “This is what I’m meant to do”?

Marco: So the commercial was filmed over 3 days in the blazing hot desert, we worked 12 hour days and I was crammed into a VW combi van with no air conditioning for the majority of the shoot. Not the most optimal conditions for having a blast, but I absolutely did! It was a goofy “Dude, Where's My Car” ripoff - but it was the most transformational moment for me at that time in my life. I was 100% certain that I needed to pursue acting and the freedom and fire that it had created in me. I had always been a closeted creative, and that experience was an immense catalyst in finding the bravery to pursue my dreams.

ML: You balance filming, travel, and fatherhood to a toddler. Has becoming a dad changed the way you approach your work or the kinds of stories that resonate with you now?

Marco: Becoming a dad kind of recalibrates your priorities pretty quickly. Suddenly, the work you do isn’t just about personal fulfillment or career momentum — it’s also about building a life that your kid can grow up around. It’s definitely challenged me to be more present when I’m home and more efficient when I’m working, because time feels a lot more precious now.

All the feelings - love, fear, frustration, joy - they all vibrate on a totally different level now. Hopefully, that seeps into my work and the kind of characters and moments I connect with. And at the very simplest level, being a dad to a toddler serves as a constant reminder of the value of play and the power of imagination, invaluable things for an actor.

ML: You’ve spoken about mental health in a world that’s increasingly tech-driven. What simple, real-life habits help you stay grounded and present when everything around us moves so fast and is so hyper-connected?

Marco: I have anxious tendencies, and am too eager to balance too many things, and usually that plays out in over-thinking, feeling overwhelmed or being short-tempered. I’m getting better at realizing you don’t have to say yes to everything. I try to keep the habits pretty simple and analog whenever possible. Cooking is a big one for me — it forces you to slow down and actually use your senses and intuition. While filming, I’ll incorporate breathwork, stretching, and if all else fails I find a tree or a patch of grass and make contact - actors and the weirdo things they do I tell ya!

ML: When you picture the next chapter of your life and career, what creative dreams are you quietly working toward that fans might not know about yet?

Marco: I’m working on a couple scripts with my writing partner who’s an old roommate of mine. We pretty much have identical worldviews and comedic sensibilities, and are great friends on top of that - which is an awesome dynamic to have in an industry that can be at times turbulent and isolating. We’re both huge fans of the comedy and science fiction genres and love the ability to sneak bigger ideas in through humor. The idea of producing it and actually bringing it to life is definitely intimidating, but also exciting. At that point, it becomes about trusting other people and leaning on your networks.

You can follow Marco on Instagram

By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Kayla Rocca