Weâre counting down the days until the new season of Virgin River arrives on our screens. Fans have been patiently waiting to find out whatâs in store for newlyweds Mel and Jack after they finally tied the knot at the end of season six, which aired back in December 2024.Â
The heartwarming romance drama, which first premiered in 2019, has amassed a legion of dedicated viewers, who have fallen in love with the showâs charming cast of characters and idyllic scenery while becoming completely invested in the love story between nurse Mel and bar owner Jack.
With just weeks to go until the season seven air date, hereâs all we know about the new episodes, including new cast members, what to expect of the plot and the release date.Â
Alexandra Breckenridge stars as Mel Monroe, alongside Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan
What to expect from the plot
The new episodes follow on from Mel and Jackâs nuptials, which saw the pair share an intimate moment by the river before later saying âI doâ in front of their loved ones in a rustic ceremony.Â
At the end of season six, one of Melâs pregnant patients has her adoptive couple pull out and shares her hopes of placing her baby with Mel and Jack. Following Melâs heartbreaking fertility journey, could this finally set the couple on a path to parenthood?Â
Speaking about how the experience has brought the couple closer, Martin Henderson, who plays Jack, told Tudum: âI think it was really interesting to see the couple have to go through something so dark together and then find a way through that actually made them closer and stronger. Out of that is born this idea that they can still have their dream, [but] it just might look a little different.â
Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith previously hinted at what fans can expect in season seven. âI think weâve only just begun to see Mel and Jack function as a married couple, which is exciting,â he told Tudum and revealed that the new episodes will âexplore the honeymoon phase for them as theyâre building their lives on the farm, which can come with its own obstacles.â
He continued: âMel came to Virgin River expecting the cabin to be farmhouse chic, and now sheâs living in a farmhouse. What does that mean for her character? She continues to be a fish out of water and [is] constantly taking herself out of her comfort zone.âÂ
The Vampire Diaries star Sara Canning has joined the series as ex-police officer Victoria, who now works for the state medical board as an investigator after being shot in the line of duty. She comes to Virgin River to look into Docâs practice but ends up running into a familiar face.Â
Meanwhile, Cody Kearsley (Riverdale, Daybreak) will portray Clay. According to Tudum, Clay is âtough and athleticâ and âthe kind of guy who gets noticed when he enters a roomâ. He has experience working the rodeo circuit and was raised in foster care with his younger sister, whom he hasnât seen since he was a teenager and has been looking for ever since.Â
Tim Matheson and Annette OâToole are among the returning cast members
Which stars are returning?
Fans can expect to see Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson reprise their roles as Mel and Jack.Â
Also returning for the new season are Tim Matheson, Annette OâToole, Colin Lawrence, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Zibby Allen, Sarah Dugdale, Marco Grazzini, Kai Bradbury and Kandyse McClure.