Picture: Netflix
As filming for Virgin River Season 7 officially wraps, fans are more in the dark than ever. Compared to previous years, the cast has remained almost entirely silent. There have been very few behind-the-scenes clips, few playful teases, and not even spoiler-free shots from the set. Alexandra Breckenridge, who usually shares something with fans during filming, has barely posted at all. She already confirmed that Netflix asked the cast not to reveal anything, and it shows. Aside from a handful of stories shared over the last three months, there has been virtually no content from the set.
Thanks to casting calls, a few fan sightings, and subtle clues, we’ve managed to piece together a clearer picture of what to expect from the upcoming season, including the surprise production move to Mexico over the past week or so. That news comes after the main Vancouver unit wrapped up filming on season 7 on June 20th.
Cast and Crew Celebrate Wrapping Season 7 (In Vancouver, Anyway)
“First day of Summer and Last day of Filming Season 7 of Virgin River,” wrote Benjamin Hollingsworth on the news of the wrap, but costume designer Judith Feller hinted that more was to come, writing “We made it!!! Well, through the YVR portion of S7 of Virgin River. Thank you to the absolute best Costume team a gal could dream of.”
Colin Lawrence, who plays Preacher on the show, posted a video on Instagram, saying, “And that, my friends, is a wrap on Season 7 for John ‘Preacher’ Middleton. Oh gosh, what can I tell you? Another stellar season, in my humble opinion. This show has been the most fun to work on. I’ve been so blessed to have been a part of this for the last seven seasons. Fingers crossed more to come.”
Picture: hollingsworthb and kandysemcclure / Instagram
No Time Jump, At Least Not Yet
Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith stated in an interview that Season 7 picks up right where Season 6 left off. Especially when it comes to Charmaine and her twins, that likely rules out any significant time jump during the season. If there is one, it may be reserved for the final episode.
Charmaine and the Twins
Cliffhangers in Virgin River have a history of being anticlimactic, and Charmaine’s storyline might follow that pattern. Casting information confirms her twins appear in Block 2 (Episodes 1 and 2). Charmaine herself will be in the show, which may have reassured some fans that her life might not have been in jeopardy. During Block 4, which covers Episodes 7 and 8, some scenes were filmed outside her hair salon. It’s enough to suggest her story isn’t completely done.
Lizzie and Denny’s Baby Girl
Based on production schedules, Lizzie and Denny’s baby will likely be born during Block 3, which covers Episodes 5 and 6. It’s a major milestone for the couple, one that fans have been eagerly awaiting.
Lark Isn’t Gone
After hearing Brady confess he still loved Brie, Lark responded by draining his bank account and disappearing. But don’t count her out yet. Lark will return in Season 7, and her next move could bring even more drama to Brady’s already tangled love life.
Trouble for Doc and a New Mobile Unit in Town
Doc’s questionable house call last season appears to have serious consequences. While nothing has been confirmed, fan photos posted on Instagram show a Grace Valley Mobile Medical Unit parked in Virgin River, suggesting that Doc’s medical license will likely be suspended for most of Season 7. These sightings, paired with earlier hints about an investigation into his conduct, point to a shift in how healthcare is delivered in town. It also aligns with Grace Valley Hospital’s plans to expand its presence in Virgin River.
With this new development, we also wonder if Mel’s birthing center might be affected.
Marley and the Baby: Mel and Jack’s Future?
Photos from the set show Marley interacting with Mel, Jack, Doc, and the new Grace Valley doctor, Dr. Hayes, at the Grace Valley Mobile Medical Unit (played by Kaj-Erik Eriksen). It seems likely that Marley will give birth by the end of Season 7. In fact, casting calls requested a newborn baby for a one-day shoot scheduled during the final week of filming, the same day Breckenridge posted on Instagram that she was filming some scenes with Mel wearing scrubs.
Could this baby become Mel and Jack’s? Many fans are hoping so, but if I had to guess, I’d say probably not. The way the season’s shaping up, it feels more likely Marley changes her mind and keeps the baby herself.
Picture: Sonyayong / Instagram
Rodeo Comes to Virgin River
Cody Kearsley joins the cast as Clay, a former rodeo rider with a complicated past. Clay grew up in foster care with a younger sister he hasn’t seen in years ( our money is on Marley), and he’s been searching for her ever since. Kearsley has been seen training with lasso gear and horseback riding, and rodeo-related scenes have reportedly been filmed on location.
The cowboy and ranch theme is alive and well in Virgin River Season 7, maybe more than ever. Based on what the cast and director have shared, it looks like the community event this season will be a Civil War reenactment. That would explain the costumes worn by Candace McClure and several background actors in recently released set photos, which also show wagons, carriages, and even fake horses. These scenes were filmed on the property of Hope’s ex-husband, Roland, which strongly suggests his role this season might be more substantial than originally expected.
A Honeymoon at Last, or Something More?
A few scenes for Virgin River Season 7 are being filmed in Mexico, marking the first time the show has filmed outside of Canada.
While details are still under wraps, it’s natural to wonder what this change of scenery could bring. Could we finally see Mel and Jack on their long-overdue honeymoon? After years of heartbreak, detours, and loss, a romantic escape would feel well earned and offer a fresh note for their story. There’s also the question of adoption. After the show chose to take Mel and Jack down the path of adoption instead of giving them a biological child, and following Mel’s miscarriage in Season 5, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the couple exploring this option further. If the Mexico trip is tied to an adoption storyline, possibly of a child from abroad, it would reflect both the realities of lower adoption rates for older children compared to newborns. It might even carry a quiet political message, given today’s climate. Whether it’s a honeymoon, an adoption journey, or both, fans will be eager to see what unfolds.
Netflix declined to comment on the production move to Mexico.
Numerous accounts were able to spot the crew filming, including Valladolid Pueblo Magico, who posted:
“One of the most popular series in the United States that has become quite popular on Netflix is being shot in Yucatan.
The series is called Virgin River and it is one of the most viewed romance series on this platform.
Recording is being carried out at the famous Hacienda Cenote Oxmán, having its cenote as a witness to these recordings.
It should be noted that this is not the first time that the Hacienda Cenote Oxmán participates as a set for a Netflix series.”
Picture: valladolidpm / Instagram
2025 or 2026 release date for Virgin River season 7?
Alexandra Breckenridge recently shared that, although she doesn’t know when Virgin River Season 7 will premiere, the season is ready, so why not release it in 2025? It’s a fair question, especially with filming wrapping this summer. Some older fans have commented that they’re tired of waiting so long between seasons. But what they may not realize is that, unlike traditional broadcast series, Netflix doesn’t follow a September-to-May schedule. Most of its originals premiere once a year, sometimes longer, depending on production and competition on the slate.
A 2025 release would keep Virgin River in its usual rhythm, but with Stranger Things returning in multiple parts later this year, Netflix may be weighing how much attention the platform can split. Even though the two series target very different audiences, Stranger Things is a marketing giant, and anything released alongside it risks being overshadowed, no matter how strong the fan base. Holding Virgin River until early 2026 might give the show more breathing room, but it also risks testing fans’ patience even further. Unless, of course, Netflix decides to surprise fans with a romantic February release, Virgin River on Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be the worst idea.
What about Season 8?
Once again, the first hint that Netflix might have quietly renewed Virgin River comes not from an official announcement but from the personal chef of Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, and Zibby Allen. For the second year in a row, she posted on her personal Facebook page, inviting her friends to come up to Vancouver “for the next season,” strongly suggesting that production could be gearing up for Season 8 even before Netflix has made it public.
With the cast tight-lipped and spoilers harder to find than ever, Virgin River Season 7 might be the most mysterious season yet. Still, even in silence, the show leaves just enough breadcrumbs for us to pick up the trail…