News has just struck the Virgin River fan community like a lightning bolt: Season 7, long awaited, may not arrive as soon as hoped. Instead of 2025, it appears we might have to wait until 2026 to return to this small town brimming with emotional stories. But that’s not all; the latest revelations from the production team bring a series of surprises, from the cast to the dramatic plot directions.

The absence of Virgin River from Netflix’s 2025 release slate has left many fans disappointed. However, there’s still a glimmer of hope as filming for Season 7 is scheduled to begin in Vancouver from March 12 to June 26, 2025. This season will once again feature 10 episodes, and initial set photos have already surfaced, showing Martin Henderson (Jack Sheridan) back at work. Notably, Andy Mikita, a familiar director since Season 1, will helm the first two episodes, bringing his total count to 10. While Netflix hasn’t announced an official release date, the most optimistic prediction points to early 2026. Some suggest late 2025 could be possible if post-production is as swift as the previous season, but this seems unlikely.

Yet, beyond the scheduling information, the most shocking detail is the departure of two key characters. Lexa Doig, who played Paige Lasser, will not return. Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith has confirmed there are no plans to bring Paige back into the story. Paige’s absence will undoubtedly leave a significant void, especially for Preacher’s storyline. Another notable exit is Mark Ghanim, who portrayed Dr. Cameron Hayek. He will not return as a series regular in Season 7. Although the showrunner expressed fondness for the character and actor, and doesn’t rule out Cameron’s return in the future, for now, his absence will significantly impact the clinic and Doc’s life.

But there are also new winds blowing through Virgin River. The Vampire Diaries star, Sarah Canning, will join the cast as Victoria, a former police officer injured in the line of duty, now an investigator for the State Medical Board. Victoria arrives in Virgin River to investigate Doc’s practice but unexpectedly reconnects with an old friend she wouldn’t mind catching up with, or perhaps even pursuing something more. Additionally, Cody Kearsley will portray Clay, a tough and athletic young man.

Looking further ahead, discussions about a potential Season 8 have already begun. Benjamin Hollingsworth, who plays Brady, revealed he had a conversation with Patrick Sean Smith, and the showrunner is already thinking about Season 8. Alexandra Breckenridge (Mel) also confirmed she is under contract for eight seasons, indicating that Netflix is likely to continue the series and won’t cancel it without a clear final season.

So, how will the story unfold in Season 7? This season will pick up just hours after Season 6 concluded. The main couple, Mel and Jack, are finally married and will move into their new home, embracing farm life. However, their new property is far from ready, and the showrunner has teased that Season 7 will explore their “honeymoon phase” as they build their lives on the farm, which can come with its own obstacles.

One of the most significant moments at the end of Season 6 was when Marley Thurston, a young pregnant woman, told Mel that the couple she planned to give her baby to might not go through with the adoption, and she suggested giving the baby to Mel and Jack instead. If Mel and Jack are looking to expand their family, this could be a perfect way, allowing them time to bond with Marley before the baby is born. Given Mel’s past struggles with pregnancy, a smoother adoption process could be a welcome change.

Another big mystery from Season 6 was the final scene with Jack in the twins’ room. Martin Henderson revealed that even during filming, the writers hadn’t decided what he was reacting to. One theory is that something happens between Calvin and Charmaine. Calvin wanted to be involved in the twins’ lives, but Charmaine had sole custody. If Calvin kidnaps the twins, this could create a storyline where the entire community comes together to help.

Bree’s love life will also become more complicated in Season 7. She had a conversation with Brady, where he told her she would always be the one for him. However, Bree decided to commit to Mike because he is a good guy. In the season’s final moments, Mike proposed to Bree even though he knew she had cheated on him with Brady. The next season will likely explore whether Bree truly wants to be with Mike or if she still has feelings for Brady. She might even take Mel’s advice and leave both men to figure out what she really wants.

Brady will also have an intense season as he searches for Lark and tries to get back his money. Originally, he wanted to open a motorcycle shop in honor of his uncle, but there’s a chance he will consider becoming a firefighter instead of just volunteering. This could be an important part of his redemption arc.

Meanwhile, Doc’s career is in trouble after his medical license was suspended. A large medical company, Grace Valley, wants to expand into Virgin River and take over the clinic. They are trying to push Doc out, but with Hope’s creative ideas and Mel’s support, Doc will fight back. He may not be able to practice medicine for a while, but his career is far from over.

Hope’s past may also be explored more in Season 7. The previous season introduced Roland, Hope’s ex-husband. We might get more details about their past and the struggles Hope faced in her previous marriage. Another character who could get a fresh start is Preacher. In Season 6, he ended up alone after Kaia left. Most of us love his character for his kindness and cooking skills. Perhaps Season 7 will give him a new career move, like running a food truck or becoming a chef at Jack’s Bar. We also want him to find love again, possibly with someone connected to his past.

Lizzie and Denny’s story is also set to continue. At the end of Season 6, Lizzie was 8 months pregnant. The couple didn’t have much screen time, and their story didn’t end on a dramatic note. Most likely, Season 7 will show the birth of their baby girl. We also hope to find out if the baby has Huntington’s disease. The couple has decided to take things slow, so a wedding is not expected anytime soon.

Beyond all this, there are also talks about potential spin-offs for Virgin River. Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith has mentioned that the world of Virgin River has a lot of characters and storylines that could be explored. The original books by Robyn Carr focused on different couples in each book, so there are many directions the show could take in the future. The possibility of a spin-off means that even if Virgin River ends, we might still get more stories set in the same universe.

With so many exciting and emotional moments ahead in Virgin River Season 7, fans have a lot to look forward to. But with some beloved cast members leaving and major changes happening in the story, how do you feel about it all? Are you excited to see how Mel and Jack’s journey continues, and do you think Bree will finally make a clear choice in her complicated love triangle, or will she choose herself?