Virgin River Season 7 has been officially confirmed by Netflix with a release date set for March 12, 2026. After the emotional rollercoaster of Season 6, which featured Mel and Jack’s long-awaited wedding and left fans with multiple cliffhangers, viewers are eager to return to the picturesque town that has captured hearts since 2019. The upcoming season promises to explore married life for Mel and Jack, resolve lingering mysteries, and introduce new challenges for Virgin River’s beloved residents.
Netflix confirmed the release date during its Next on Netflix 2026 event, marking the first official announcement along with a first-look image from Episode 3. This seventh installment continues Netflix’s commitment to the romantic drama, which has become one of the streaming platform’s longest-running original series. With production wrapped and post-production underway, the wait for new episodes is nearly over for dedicated fans who have followed this small-town saga through six compelling seasons.
When Does Virgin River Season 7 Premiere?
Virgin River Season 7 will officially premiere on Netflix on March 12, 2026, consisting of 10 episodes. This release date represents a departure from the show’s traditional pattern, as previous seasons typically arrived in late fall or early winter.
Release Timeline:
Netflix initially considered a 2025 release, but ultimately delayed the premiere to 2026 due to a crowded content calendar that included Stranger Things Season 5, Bridgerton Season 4, and several major film releases. The strategic delay ensures Virgin River receives proper attention without competing against Netflix’s biggest franchises.
Why the Delay?
Ben Hollingsworth revealed the projected March 2026 release date while promoting his holiday movie The Christmas Ring in November 2025. Alexandra Breckenridge also acknowledged the wisdom of waiting, suggesting Netflix made the right call to avoid getting buried in the streaming giant’s packed 2025 lineup.
Episode Count:
Season 7 maintains the standard 10-episode format that has defined recent seasons. Unlike Season 4, which expanded to 12 episodes, the series has returned to a more streamlined storytelling approach that balances narrative depth with viewing accessibility.
Virgin River Season 7 Cast and Characters
The core ensemble returns for Season 7, bringing back fan-favorite characters while introducing fresh faces to the Virgin River community.
Main Cast Returning:
Alexandra Breckenridge reprises her role as Melinda “Mel” Monroe, the nurse practitioner and midwife whose journey has anchored the series. Martin Henderson returns as Jack Sheridan, Mel’s husband and bar owner navigating his own set of challenges. Tim Matheson and Annette O’Toole continue as Doc Mullins and Hope McCrea, the beloved couple facing new medical and personal obstacles.
Benjamin Hollingsworth returns as Dan Brady, whose financial crisis and romantic entanglements promise significant drama. Zibby Allen is back as Brie Sheridan, caught in an emotional triangle that remains unresolved from Season 6. Marco Grazzini returns as Mike Valenzuela, whose proposal to Brie creates tension and uncertainty.
Supporting Cast:
Colin Lawrence continues as John “Preacher” Middleton, exploring his relationship with Kaia and questions about marriage. Sarah Dugdale returns as Lizzie, Kai Bradbury as Denny Cutler, and Kandyse McClure as Kaia Bryant. The ensemble nature of Virgin River ensures each character receives meaningful storylines that contribute to the town’s interconnected narrative.
New Additions:
Cody Kearsley joins the cast for Season 7 as Clay, a new character whose role has not been fully disclosed. Additional casting details may emerge closer to the premiere date as Netflix typically reveals guest stars and recurring roles in stages.
What Happens in Virgin River Season 7?
Season 7 picks up immediately after the Season 6 finale, addressing multiple cliffhangers while introducing new conflicts for Virgin River’s residents.
Mel and Jack’s Married Life:
Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith confirmed the series will finally explore Mel and Jack as a married couple, including their honeymoon phase and early days building their lives on the farm. This represents a significant shift for characters who spent five seasons navigating obstacles to their relationship.
Following production in Vancouver, the cast and crew filmed additional scenes in Mexico, expected to showcase Mel and Jack’s honeymoon. These romantic moments provide viewers with the payoff they’ve anticipated since the couple first connected in Season 1.
Marley’s Baby Adoption:
In the Season 6 finale, a pregnant Marley ran to Mel asking her to adopt her baby, fearing that Darla and Phil were backing out of their adoption agreement. Season 7 explores how Mel and Jack navigate this unexpected opportunity for parenthood while managing the legal and emotional complexities involved.
The Brie-Brady-Mike Triangle:
Brie and Brady had a steamy hookup on the pool table in Jack’s bar despite being in relationships with other people, and Mike proposed to Brie at the wedding after admitting he knew about her affair with Brady. This love triangle remains central to Season 7’s emotional drama.
The unresolved triangle between Brie, Mike, and Brady continues with Brie’s response to Mike’s proposal still pending as the season begins. Viewers will discover whether she chooses stability with Mike or follows her heart toward Brady.
Brady’s Financial Crisis:
Lark overheard Brady confess his love for Brie and subsequently ran off with all his money. Season 7 follows Brady’s attempts to track down Lark and recover his stolen funds while dealing with being broke once again.
Brady’s storyline continues after his bank account is drained by Lark, revealed to be Jimmy’s partner, with the season exploring whether he can recover his money.
Doc and Hope’s Challenges:
Doc and Hope will deal with the fallout of Doc’s medical license suspension as Grace Valley’s expansion into Virgin River raises new challenges, with Hope’s husband Roland having an increased presence this season. The couple faces professional uncertainty while navigating personal revelations about Hope’s background.
Charmaine’s Mysterious Absence:
When Mel and Jack realized Charmaine didn’t show up for their wedding, Jack went to check on her, discovering circumstances that set up Season 7 drama. Her situation promises to create ripple effects throughout the community.
Preacher and Kaia’s Relationship:
Preacher and Kaia ended Season 6 on stable ground, but Kaia’s stance on marriage is revisited this season after her first marriage left her clear she didn’t plan to marry again. Their relationship faces questions about commitment and future plans.
Virgin River Season 7 Production Details
Production on Season 7 followed a carefully planned schedule that included international filming for the first time in the series’ history.
Filming Timeline:
Filming commenced in Vancouver on March 12, 2025, and concluded on June 26, 2025. This production window aligned with the show’s traditional approach of filming in British Columbia during spring and summer months to capture the region’s natural beauty.
Following the Vancouver production wrap in mid-to-late June 2025, portions of the cast and crew traveled to Mexico for additional filming, primarily featuring Mel and Jack on their honeymoon.
Creative Team:
Season 7 is executive produced by showrunner Patrick Sean Smith, Sue Tenney, Amy Palmer Robertson, Roma Roth, Christopher E Perry, Robyn Carr, Erin Cardillo, Richard Keith, and Jennifer Monroe. Smith took over showrunner duties from Sue Tenney in Season 5, bringing fresh perspective while maintaining the show’s core identity.
Andy Mikita directs the first two episodes, continuing his work with the show since Season 1 with eight previous credits. Audrey Cummings makes her Virgin River debut this season, joining returning directors Monika Mitchell, Ruba Nadda, and Felipe Rodriguez.
Filming Locations:
The series films in British Columbia, Canada, with locations including Vancouver, Saltspring Island, Snug Cove on Bowen Island, New Westminster, Squamish, Agassiz, and Port Coquitlam. These picturesque settings create the show’s signature atmosphere that viewers have come to associate with the fictional Virgin River town.
The community of Virgin River is actually Snug Cove, Bowen Island, with establishing shots including the local library, main streets, and Artisan Lane.
Virgin River Season 8 Renewal Status
Netflix has demonstrated strong confidence in Virgin River’s future by renewing the series for Season 8 before Season 7 even premiered.
Early Renewal:
Virgin River received an early Season 8 renewal on July 10, 2025, days after production wrapped on Season 7, with the eighth season consisting of 10 episodes. This early renewal pattern has become standard for the series, allowing production teams to plan ahead and maintain consistent quality.
Production Timeline:
Season 8 filming is scheduled to take place approximately between April 1 and July 31, 2026, based on information from a charity auction offering a set visit. This timeline suggests Season 8 could premiere in 2027, maintaining the series’ current release pattern.
Longest-Running Series:
Virgin River is believed to be Netflix’s longest-running live-action scripted series, surpassing Grace and Frankie and Orange Is the New Black’s seven-season runs, and edging Spanish teen drama Elite’s eight seasons with 84 versus 64 episodes.
Virgin River Prequel in Development
Beyond Season 7 and 8, the Virgin River universe is expanding with a prequel series focused on Mel’s parents.
Prequel Details:
A Virgin River prequel focusing on the love story between Mel’s parents Everett and Sarah is in development at Netflix, with younger versions played by Callum Kerr and Jessica Rothe making their debut in Season 6.
Season 7 Connection:
Smith confirmed that young Everett and Sarah will return in Season 7, with the show filling out “this love that spans almost 40 years” by highlighting big events and milestones along the way. These flashback sequences provide emotional depth while building anticipation for the standalone prequel series.
How Virgin River Season 6 Performed
Understanding Season 6’s viewership provides context for why Netflix moved forward with Seasons 7 and 8.
Viewership Numbers:
Season 6 featured in Netflix’s top 10 for 4 weeks, accumulating 213 million hours watched, equating to 25.6 million views. While these numbers represent a decline from peak seasons, they remain strong enough to justify continued investment in the franchise.
Viewership Trends:
While the show is experiencing a notable decline in viewership, it’s not to the point of cancellation, with expectations that when the show ends, it will be on the showrunners’ own terms. The gradual viewership decrease reflects natural audience evolution rather than catastrophic drop-off.
Virgin River Season 7 Comparison with Previous Seasons
| Season | Release Date | Episodes | Key Plot Points | Viewership Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | December 6, 2019 | 10 | Mel arrives in Virgin River, meets Jack | Strong debut |
| Season 2 | November 27, 2020 | 10 | Jack shot, Charmaine’s pregnancy revelation | Growth period |
| Season 3 | July 9, 2021 | 10 | Twin reveal, Hope’s accident | Peak popularity |
| Season 4 | July 20, 2022 | 12 | Paternity reveal, Denny’s arrival | Expanded episodes |
| Season 5 | September 7, 2023 | 10 | Wedding planning begins | Continued success |
| Season 6 | December 19, 2024 | 10 | Mel and Jack marry | Solid performance |
| Season 7 | March 12, 2026 | 10 | Married life, adoption storyline | To be determined |
Where to Watch Virgin River
Virgin River remains a Netflix exclusive, with all seasons available for streaming worldwide.
Streaming Access:
All six previous seasons are currently available on Netflix, allowing new viewers to catch up before Season 7’s March premiere. The show’s binge-friendly format makes it easy to marathon multiple episodes or pace viewing over time.
Episode Release:
Unlike some Netflix series that release episodes weekly, Virgin River follows the platform’s traditional model of dropping entire seasons at once. All 10 episodes of Season 7 will be available simultaneously on March 12, 2026.
Global Availability:
Virgin River streams in all Netflix territories worldwide, though availability may vary slightly by region based on licensing agreements and local regulations.
Tips for Catching Up Before Season 7
For viewers who haven’t watched recent seasons or need a refresher before the Season 7 premiere, strategic viewing can help maximize enjoyment.
Essential Episodes:
Focus on Season 6’s final three episodes to understand where characters stand heading into Season 7. Episode 10 contains the wedding and all major cliffhangers that will be addressed immediately in the new season.
Character Recaps:
Pay special attention to Mel and Jack’s relationship progression, Brady’s financial situation and romantic entanglements, Doc’s medical license issues, and Hope’s family revelations. These storylines carry directly into Season 7’s narrative.
Thematic Elements:
Virgin River consistently explores themes of second chances, found family, healing from trauma, and small-town community bonds. Understanding these recurring themes enhances appreciation for character decisions and plot developments.
What Critics and Fans Are Saying
Virgin River maintains a dedicated fanbase despite mixed critical reception, with viewers prioritizing comfort viewing over prestige drama.
Fan Reception:
The show’s core audience appreciates the escapist nature of Virgin River’s storytelling, picturesque settings, and character-driven narratives. Social media communities remain active between seasons, analyzing cliffhangers and speculating about future developments.
Critical Perspective:
On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 2 holds a 90% approval rating based on 10 critic ratings, with the consensus reading that the season offers “more of the comfort viewing that fans have come to crave.” Season 3 saw a decline to 56% approval, reflecting the show’s polarizing nature among professional reviewers.
Comfort Viewing Appeal:
Virgin River excels as comfort television, providing predictable pleasures and emotional catharsis without demanding intense concentration. This positioning has helped it maintain viewership even as critical enthusiasm has waned.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Virgin River Season 7 come out?
Virgin River Season 7 premieres on March 12, 2026 on Netflix. All 10 episodes will be released simultaneously for binge-watching or gradual viewing.
Will there be a Virgin River Season 8?
Yes, Netflix renewed Virgin River for Season 8 in July 2025. Production is scheduled for spring and summer 2026, with a likely premiere in 2027.
Why was Virgin River Season 7 delayed to 2026?
Netflix delayed Season 7 to avoid competition with major releases like Stranger Things Season 5 and Bridgerton Season 4. The strategic decision ensures Virgin River receives proper attention rather than getting lost in a crowded release calendar.
Do Mel and Jack stay together in Season 7?
Season 7 explores Mel and Jack as newlyweds, including their honeymoon and early married life on the farm. The season focuses on their relationship strengthening rather than introducing new obstacles between them.
What happens with Brady’s money in Season 7?
Season 7 follows Brady’s attempts to track down Lark and recover the money she stole from his bank account. His financial crisis impacts both his professional ambitions and romantic prospects.
Is Virgin River based on books?
Yes, Virgin River is based on the bestselling Harlequin book series by Robyn Carr, which includes more than 20 novels and has sold over 13 million copies worldwide. The show adapts and expands storylines from the books while making changes for television.
Key Takeaways
Virgin River Season 7 premieres March 12, 2026 on Netflix with 10 new episodes exploring Mel and Jack’s married life and honeymoon. The season addresses major cliffhangers including Marley’s adoption request, the Brie-Brady-Mike love triangle, and Brady’s financial crisis after Lark stole his money. Netflix has already renewed the show for Season 8, confirming Virgin River’s status as the streaming platform’s longest-running live-action drama series. Filming wrapped in June 2025 after shooting in Vancouver and Mexico, with the delay to 2026 allowing the show to avoid competition with Stranger Things and Bridgerton.
Conclusion
Virgin River Season 7 represents another chapter in Netflix’s most enduring romantic drama, bringing beloved characters back for new adventures while resolving lingering questions from Season 6. The confirmed March 12, 2026 release date gives fans a concrete timeline to anticipate, while the already-secured Season 8 renewal demonstrates Netflix’s ongoing commitment to the franchise.
For viewers who have followed Mel, Jack, and the entire Virgin River community through six seasons of joy, heartbreak, and small-town drama, Season 7 promises satisfying progression for established relationships alongside fresh challenges that will keep audiences invested. With production complete and post-production underway, the countdown to returning to this beloved fictional town has officially begun.