Virgin River actor Ben Hollingsworth shares his personal journey with ADHD diagnosis, his advocacy for early support, and how it informs his parenting and portrayal of characters dealing with social challenges.
Ben Hollingsworth is using his platform to talk about ADHD, learning differences and the importance of early support. In an interview with ADDitude, the Virgin River actor said his own school experience, along with his son Hemingway’s diagnosis, helped him recognise that many of his lifelong struggles with organisation, time management, distractibility and impulse control were consistent with ADHD. He said the diagnosis, which came in his late 30s, brought clarity after years of coping with auditory processing issues and other challenges that had begun in childhood.
Hollingsworth said his difficulties were apparent early on, but so were his coping strategies. He described asking for practical accommodations at school, including extra test time, a quieter setting and note-taking help so he could focus on listening. He also told ADDitude that, in high school, he led workshops for teachers on identifying learning disabilities, a sign that his advocacy began long before he spoke publicly about his diagnosis. The actor, who was born in Brockville, Ontario, has said that neurodivergence remains widely misunderstood, but that properly recognising it can help children and adults build on their strengths.
That experience also informs his work on Virgin River, where he plays Dan Brady, a Marine veteran trying to adjust to civilian life. Netflix’s cast guide for the show’s seventh season describes Brady as someone facing the aftermath of military service, while fan and character profiles note his outsider status and difficulty fitting in. Hollingsworth has said he relates to Brady’s struggle to understand social cues and to become a better version of himself, even though his own family support was stronger than the character’s.
At home, Hollingsworth said the diagnosis has also shaped how he parents. He told ADDitude that emotional regulation remains a challenge, especially when he becomes overstimulated, but that he and Hemingway work together on simple calming techniques such as taking a walk, going outside to breathe or drinking water. The actor, who has three children, said those moments are both practical and personal, giving father and son a shared language for handling big feelings.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
