CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY SAYS “SULLIVAN’S CROSSING” FEELS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE AFTER YEARS OF PRAYER
For Chad Michael Murray, landing his role in Sullivan’s Crossing was more than just another acting opportunity — it was something he considers a meaningful blessing that arrived at exactly the right time.
The actor, 43, recently opened up about his journey to joining the Canadian romantic drama, revealing that he spent two years hoping and praying for a project that matched both his professional goals and his personal values.
Speaking exclusively about the series, Murray explained that he had a very clear vision of the kind of role and production he wanted to become part of.
He said he regularly prayed for a show that felt positive, wholesome, and suitable for families rather than one focused on unnecessary drama or content that did not align with his priorities.
Murray also hoped to find a project filmed in a beautiful location where he and his family could feel comfortable becoming part of the local community.
He wanted to work with a cast and crew where everyone could build strong relationships and create a supportive environment together.
According to Murray, his hopes were extremely specific. He was not simply asking for any acting job — he had a detailed picture of the kind of experience he wanted.
“It was a very specific and detailed prayer that I continued every night,” he explained.
Then Sullivan’s Crossing came along.
The series, which premiered in 2023, is based on the book series by author Robyn Carr. The show follows emotional relationships, personal challenges, and new beginnings in a small-town setting.
Murray admitted that seeing everything come together still feels surprising.
After years of waiting for the right opportunity, he found himself working on a project that matched many of the things he had hoped for.
He joked about how unbelievable the journey has been and expressed excitement about continuing into the show’s fourth season.
For Murray, however, the appeal of Sullivan’s Crossing goes beyond acting. One of the biggest reasons the role mattered to him was because it allowed him to maintain a better balance between his career and his family life.
The actor shares three children with his wife, Sarah Roemer. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in 2015, followed by a daughter in 2017 and another daughter in 2023.
Murray explained that becoming a father changed the way he approaches his career.
Having children made him much more selective about the projects he accepts because he wants to make sure he remains present in their lives.
“Being a dad means everything to me,” he said.
Rather than choosing roles that require long periods away from home, Murray now prioritises opportunities that allow him to spend more time with his family.
He explained that he wants to be there for everyday moments, see his children regularly, and play an active role as they grow up.
For him, success is not only measured by professional achievements but also by being a committed father and husband.
Murray admitted that earlier in his career he was more willing to accept projects that required extensive travel or long periods away from his family.
However, he has intentionally moved away from that lifestyle.
Those days, he said, are now behind him because his priorities have changed.
He wants his work to fit into his family life rather than allowing his career to take him away from the people who matter most.
This personal approach has influenced the types of roles he chooses and helped guide him toward projects like Sullivan’s Crossing.
The series has also given Murray an unexpected reunion with one of his former Gilmore Girls co-stars, Scott Patterson.
Murray appeared in the first two seasons of Gilmore Girls as Tristan DuGray, while Patterson became widely known for playing Luke Danes throughout the show’s entire seven-season run from 2000 to 2007.
Patterson also returned for the 2016 revival series, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
More than two decades after sharing the screen on the beloved series, Murray and Patterson found themselves working together again on Sullivan’s Crossing.
Murray said the reunion was a special surprise and admitted that it was exciting to know he would be joining a production where he already had a familiar face.
He explained that starting a new project can often feel uncertain because actors never know what kind of environment they will enter or what relationships they will build.
Having someone he already knew helped him feel more comfortable from the beginning.
“It was nice knowing I was going somewhere where I already knew somebody,” Murray said.
In Sullivan’s Crossing, Murray plays Cal Jones, a local handyman who becomes an important part of the community. Patterson portrays Sully Sullivan, the father of Maggie Sullivan, played by Morgan Kohan.
The show explores themes of family, healing, relationships, and second chances — themes that appear to connect strongly with Murray’s own current outlook on life.
After decades in the entertainment industry, Murray appears to have found a project that fits both his creative ambitions and his personal priorities.
Rather than simply chasing the next opportunity, he is now focused on meaningful work that allows him to remain close to his family.
For Murray, Sullivan’s Crossing represents the type of opportunity he had been hoping for: a thoughtful story, a welcoming environment, a talented cast, and a chance to create something while still being present for the people he loves.
As the series continues into another season, Murray believes he has found exactly what he was searching for — a role that feels rewarding both professionally and personally.
What began as a nightly hope for the right opportunity eventually became reality, proving that patience and persistence can sometimes lead to the perfect moment.
