Picture: Netflix
As exclusively reported by TUDUM and Deadline, Virgin River will be coming back for a season 8 with another 10 new episodes on the way, keeping in line with more recent season episode counts. The renewal makes it Netflix’s longest-running scripted English language show in its roster.
This comes as no surprise for long-term readers of What’s on Netflix. We informed you back in January 2025 that discussions were already underway for an eighth season, with some of the cast hinting at more to come beyond Season 7, which had yet even to begin filming at that point. There is no release date for Season 7, which is expected to have wrapped up now, but a 2026 release seems most likely.
As we reported last week, Virgin River is also making another first – it’s heading international! For the first time, some of the filming has taken place outside of its long-term home in Vancouver, Canada. Photos of Jack and Mel surfaced in beautiful tourist spots in Mexico, presumably from their honeymoon, and some of the images suggest where we might be heading in Season 8. We won’t delve into potential spoilers here, but you can find out the details in the linked article if you wish.
As for the prequel that was being set up. Still, no official word on that, although given Callum Kerr’s inclusion in Season 7, we suspect it has been quietly shelved and reworked into scenes for the main show instead.
Austin Nichols joins the Virgin River cast?
Also on the Virgin River front, a One Tree Hill alum looks to have joined the cast, which was expanded in season 7 with the addition of Sara Canning, Cody Kearsley, and Matthew Harrison.
We’re referring to Austin Nichols, who posted on his Instagram letting slip that he’s going to be appearing in the show. He posted on Instagram several weeks back a video that has him teasing a new project, “I’ve just landed in Virgin, I mean Vancouver, and starting a new job and I can’t wait for you guys to see it,” he said.
Adding more fuel to the fire, Austin then joined Entertainment Tonight in recent days and once again confirmed he’s part of the show. The actor teases his appearance in Virgin River, saying that the producers want to keep it “a little bit secret and a little bit of a surprise.” However, he adds playfully, “Let’s not lie. I’m gonna go to Virgin River and wreak shop. It’s happening y’all.”
In addition to his well-known role on One Tree Hill, Nichols recently appeared in Netflix’s Tyler Perry movie The Six Triple Eight and has appeared in shows like Ray Donovan, Walker, and Minx.
Netflix could not be immediately reached for comment on the casting.
While waiting for seasons 7 and 8 of Virgin River, you do have a brand new project to sink your teeth into starring Alexandra Breckenridge later this year. We’re referring to the latest Christmas rom-com, My Secret Santa. That was filmed earlier this year and is expected to be released in November as part of Netflix’s Christmas slate.
Are you looking forward to Virgin River coming back for even more episodes? Let us know in the comments.