When Wednesday stormed back onto Netflix with its long-awaited second season, the spotlight naturally fell on Jenna Ortega’s delightfully macabre return as the gothic Addams heir. Fans eagerly dissected

the chilling new mysteries at Nevermore Academy, the eccentric additions to the cast, and the stylish darkness that has made Wednesday a global sensation. Yet, amidst the buzz,

an unexpected revelation from a Virgin River favorite set social media ablaze: a hidden connection between two of Netflix’s most popular shows. The man behind the surprise?

Ben Hollingsworth, the actor beloved for his layered, tortured portrayal of Brady in Virgin River. In a nostalgic Instagram post, Hollingsworth reminded fans that long before he was stirring up trouble in Virgin River, he was sharing the screen with none other than Luis Guzmán — the actor who now embodies the iconic Gomez Addams in Wednesday.

The discovery has reignited fan nostalgia, sparked a wave of binge-watching, and reminded viewers of the unpredictable web of connections that bind Hollywood’s biggest names together.

The Instagram Post That Started It All

The frenzy began when Hollingsworth shared a throwback video clip on Instagram from his time on CBS’s acclaimed medical drama Code Black. The scene featured him alongside Guzmán in a raw, emotionally charged moment set in the chaos of a Los Angeles emergency room.

His caption wasn’t just a fond recollection — it read like a masterclass in humility and gratitude. Hollingsworth wrote about the lessons he absorbed from working with industry veterans:

“Humility, kindness, patience, charity… you know, the big ones. Newcomer @loueyfromthehood everyone! On @codeblack_cbs I learned a lot watching @mgh_8, Luis, @roblowe + a plethora of ridiculously talented actors. Biggest lesson? Listening. Not just hearing lines, but really being present — letting it change you. Sounds simple, but it’s one of the hardest things to nail as an actor. Still working on it — ask my wife. Helps when you’re opposite a legend though.”

Then, in a cheeky twist, Hollingsworth ended his heartfelt reflection with a shoutout to Guzmán’s current success:

“Luis’ little show Wednesday just dropped S2 on @Netflix — go binge!”

The comments section exploded. Some fans admitted they never knew Hollingsworth and Guzmán had once worked together. Others confessed they were already searching for old Code Black episodes, eager to revisit their shared scenes.

Flashback: Code Black and the ER That Changed Everything

To newer fans who only know Hollingsworth as Brady or Guzmán as Gomez, the revelation was a shock. But longtime television buffs remember Code Black vividly.

Running from 2015 to 2018, the medical drama placed viewers inside the most overcrowded, high-stakes ER in Los Angeles. It was gritty, fast-paced, and relentless — a far cry from the comforting small-town energy of Virgin River.

Hollingsworth played Dr. Mario Savetti, a fiery, talented junior doctor whose troubled upbringing left him desperate to prove himself. He was brash, competitive, and often clashed with authority, but beneath the bravado was a young man searching for belonging.

Luis Guzmán, meanwhile, portrayed Jesse Salander, the ER’s senior nurse, known for his warmth, patience, and rock-solid grounding presence. Nicknamed “Mama,” Jesse was the emotional core of the ER — offering tough love, gentle guidance, and a constant reminder that medicine is ultimately about humanity, not ego.

The dynamic between Mario and Jesse was electrifying. In the throwback clip Hollingsworth shared, Jesse cuts through Mario’s arrogance with a teaching moment that still resonates: being a doctor isn’t about being fast or flashy — it’s about compassion. Fans who watched at the time still cite this mentorship arc as one of the show’s most memorable elements.

Alongside Hollingsworth and Guzmán, the series boasted a powerhouse ensemble including Marcia Gay Harden, Rob Lowe, and Raza Jaffrey, cementing Code Black as a drama with undeniable pedigree.

Why This Connection Hits So Hard

So why has this resurfaced connection between Hollingsworth and Guzmán struck such a chord? The answer lies in the enduring emotional pull of their current roles.

On Virgin River, Brady remains one of the most conflicted and intriguing characters — torn between his criminal past, his love for Brie, and his fight for redemption. Hollingsworth has turned Brady into a fan favorite precisely because of this complexity.

Meanwhile, Guzmán’s Gomez Addams has become a revelation. His portrayal in Wednesday adds a Latin warmth and passion to the iconic patriarch, balancing suave devotion with playfulness. His chemistry with Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Morticia has been hailed as one of the standout elements of the series.

For fans, realizing these two actors once shared an entirely different stage — one of medical crises and emotional reckonings — feels like uncovering a hidden Easter egg in the Netflix multiverse.

As one Instagram commenter perfectly put it:
“This just made me want to rewatch Code Black, finish my Virgin River binge, AND start Wednesday season two. Netflix needs to make this crossover happen!”

Wednesday Season Two: A Juggernaut Returns

Of course, Hollingsworth’s timing couldn’t have been better. Wednesday’s second season has exploded back onto the scene, shattering records with more than 50 million views in its first four days.

This season dives deeper into the mysteries surrounding Willow Hill Asylum, introduces the enigmatic Aunt Ophelia, and expands the Addams mythology with both chilling new characters and beloved returning faces. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Isaac Ordonez, and Guzmán all reprise their roles, while an all-star lineup of guest stars — including Billie Piper, Thandiwe Newton, Christopher Lloyd, and Steven Buscemi — adds even more firepower.

With part one already streaming and part two set to drop on September 3, the cultural frenzy shows no sign of slowing.

The Power of Nostalgia and Crossovers

There’s something irresistible about seeing threads connect between seemingly unrelated shows. For fans, Hollingsworth’s post wasn’t just nostalgia — it was validation that their favorite actors exist within a shared tapestry of performances that stretch far beyond the roles they’re most famous for.

In a streaming landscape dominated by Netflix, where series like Virgin River and Wednesday become cultural cornerstones, these connections feel personal. They invite fans to explore an actor’s body of work, to revisit forgotten gems like Code Black, and to appreciate the journey that brought their beloved characters to life.

The Bottom Line

What started as a simple Instagram throwback has turned into one of the most talked-about entertainment stories of the week. Ben Hollingsworth’s tribute to Luis Guzmán bridged the world of Virgin River with the gothic allure of Wednesday, sending fans racing to rewatch old dramas while celebrating new ones.

It’s a reminder that in Hollywood, no performance exists in isolation. Every role is part of a larger story — of growth, collaboration, and the unexpected intersections that keep the entertainment world endlessly fascinating.

So whether you’re wrapped up in Brady’s redemption arc, captivated by Gomez and Morticia’s fiery romance, or suddenly nostalgic for the adrenaline-fueled chaos of Code Black, one thing is certain: this hidden connection has given fans yet another reason to binge, celebrate, and dream of crossovers that may never be — but feel tantalizingly possible.

Because in the end, that’s the magic of television: discovering that the worlds we love are far more connected than we ever imagined.