Production for Virgin River Season 7 kicked off in March 2025 in Vancouver and Mexico—and while fans eagerly anticipate what’s next for Mel and Jack, two exits have sparked disappointment and concern within the community: longtime residents Paige Lassiter (Lexa Doig) and Dr. Cameron Hayek (Mark Ghanimé) will no longer appear as series regulars. Their departures leave a noticeable gap in the emotional and professional fabric of Virgin River, particularly just as filming wraps in June. The Economic Times+15Netflix+159meters+15

🚪 Who’s Leaving and Why It Matters

Lexa Doig’s Paige Lassiter, a recurring presence in town’s social and emotional dynamics, will not return in Season 7. While the character isn’t written off the map entirely, her absence marks the loss of a strong female presence and a character that anchored many interactions within the community. Just Jared

Dr. Cameron Hayek, once a core part of the Virgin River clinic and a romantic foil in Mel’s storyline, has also exited as a series regular. Despite limited screen time in Season 6, his departure is significant—his presence impacted Mel, Muriel, and Doc in meaningful ways. Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith confirmed he may appear again in future episodes but not in Season 7. The DirectScreen Rant

😢 Fans React: A Hole in the Heart of Virgin River

Long-time viewers took to Reddit and fan forums expressing sadness over the exits:

“Season 7 has started filming… just more Mel and Jack. That’s all we want!!” Show Snob+15Reddit+15Just Jared+15

But others mourn the loss of depth from familiar faces:

“Hopefully we don’t have to endure another season of Everett, last season was bad enough.” One reply: “I’m fine if he wants to move out of Virgin River.” Reddit
Amid complaints about pacing, fans noted the absence of Cameron’s storyline as a missed opportunity for richer interaction with Muriel and Mel. Screen Rant+1The Direct+1

Viewers feel that the show needs to maintain balance, not just between romance and conflict but also community cohesion.

📌 New Faces Step In—but Can They Fill the Gap?

Season 7 introduces fresh characters: Victoria (Sara Canning), a tough ex-cop turned medical investigator, and Clay (Cody Kearsley), a rodeo foster kid searching for his sister. While these new arrivals promise drama and intrigue, fans wonder whether newcomers can substitute the emotional resonance lost with Paige and Cameron.

💼 Story Focus Remains Mel & Jack—But Side Narratives Need Strength

Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith has confirmed that while Mel and Jack’s married life is at the heart of Season 7, he also plans to broaden character arcs for Brie, Preacher, Hope, and Doc. The shift away from familiar side characters heightens expectations for meaningful expansion of other storylines—and less reliance on fillers. Screen Rant+14News+14Business Insider+14

🗓️ Logistics: Filming & Release Outlook

• Filming: March 12–June 26, 2025, in Vancouver and Mexico. Show Snob+8News+8The Economic Times+8

• Episodes: 10 episodes scheduled for Season 7, matching Season 6’s format. What’s on NetflixThe Economic Times

• Release Window: Likely late 2025 or early 2026—consistent with series patterns. The Economic Times

Netflix’s Tudum also recently confirmed an eighth season, alleviating concerns that this might signal the beginning of the end. People.com

✅ Final Take

✨ While Mel and Jack’s story takes center stage, the emotional and social tapestry of Virgin River may feel thinner without Paige and Cameron. Fans hope Season 7 builds new, heartfelt bonds—because continuity matters as much as romance.