While Virgin River has found great success on Netflix, it started as a book series of the same name written by Robyn Carr. This book series is similar to the hit show and book series Bridgerton in the way the protagonist changes throughout the story. Each book in the Bridgerton series written by Julia Quinn follows the story of a different Bridgerton sibling, and the Netflix series followed the same format by moving the focus of season 2 from Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) to Anthony (Jonathan Bailey). This allowed the show to be revitalized and give a fresh perspective to viewers.

Virgin River season 4 kept the status quo, mainly by smoothing over and focusing on Mel and Jack’s relationship. While this consistency allowed viewers to stay comfortable, pushing the envelope by following the books could be extremely beneficial. Shelter Mountain, the second book of the Virgin River series, focused on a different love story between Preacher (Colin Lawrence) and Paige (Lexa Doig). The series did cover this storyline, but centering these characters instead of keeping them on the sidelines would be more book accurate and also would allow for a deeper dive into these characters’ lives and motivations.

Would Virgin River Be Better Changing Its Heroes?
Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson as Mel and Jack in Virgin River
Ultimately, after four seasons of Virgin River, the show keeps hitting the same beats with protagonists Mel and Jack. Season 5 could change that by becoming more book accurate and giving other characters and romances time to shine. This would give the audience a new perspective, which could even help draw more viewers. Being such a popular show allows for it to take chances and trust that the audience will stick around. Virgin River season 5 could take many paths, so it is not yet off the table that the show could switch things up and become more book accurate.