Virgin River Season 5, Part 1 welcomed several new characters to town, including a tough, mysterious, independent firefighter named Kaia, played by actor Kandyse McClure.
We first meet Kaia in Season 5, Episode 3, but as Virgin River‘s latest chapter progresses, her character becomes more and more ingrained in the lives of Virgin River residents, and by the end of Season 5, Part 1, she seems to think of the small town as her new home.
Curious to know what Kaia’s deal is in Virgin River Season 5? And what we know about Kandyse McClure, the actor who plays Kaia? Here’s what to know about the new Season 5 character and cast member. Just be mindful that some Virgin River spoilers lie ahead.
Like we said, Virgin River first introduces Kaia in Season 5, Episode 3, when she finds a pregnant woman named Fiona Nickerson — one of Mel’s patients — in distress on the side of the road. Fiona was trying to evacuate wildfire danger zones, but she went into early labor, so Mel and Cameron casually had to teach Kaia to deliver the baby over FaceTime. Only on Virgin River! After successfully delivering the baby and performing life-saving CPR, Kaia reunited with the rest of her team and mat Preacher, who was delivering sandwiches to front-line wildfire workers. The two shared some quality small talk but ultimately parted ways. But in Season 5, Jack tells Preach, “You never know when the love of your life is gonna walk right into this bar,” and of course, Kaia came strolling into Jack’s bar later on.
The two shared tequila shots, and held hands after Kaia (rudely, if you ask me!) sat on the bar and swung her feet over. And the next morning, she woke up alongside Preacher in what she hilariously refers to as his “sex attic conveniently located above the bar.”
Without fully spoiling Kaia’s role in Season 5, let me just say that after several seasons of chaotic Paige drama, it’s high time Preacher gets a stable love interest on this show. And it’s clear he’s smitten with Kaia, so will she stick around? You’ll have to tune in and see. Until then, let’s learn more about Kandyse McClure, the actor who plays Kaia.
As noted, Virgin River‘s new Season 5 character Kaia is played by Kandyse McClure (born Candice McClure), a 43-year-old Canadian actor from Durban, a city in South Africa. Per IMDb, McClure kickstarted her onscreen career in 1999 and has starred in more than 70 movies and television series over the years, including Battlestar Galactica (2004), Higher Ground (2000), Carrie (2002), Children of the Corn (2009), Haven (2010), and more.
For those curious about height and relationship status, McClure is listed online as 5’2” and is married to musician Ian Cylenz Lee. If you’re looking to stay up-to-date with McClure off-screen while you wait for more Virgin River, you can follow her on Instagram at @kandysemcclure, where she currently has 29,800 followers.
Virgin River Season 5, Part 1 is currently streaming on Netflix.