Netflix has made history by officially renewing Virgin River for its eighth season—before the seventh season even premieres. This early pick-up was announced on July 10–11, 2025, marking the series as Netflix’s longest-running original scripted drama, poised to reach a total of 84 episodes after Season 8 airs Reddit+15Decider+15TechRadar+15.
Season 7 wrapped filming by June 2025 in Vancouver and Mexico, and is now expected to premiere in late December 2025 or early 2026 The Express Tribune+4Decider+4Gazettely+4. With production already underway for Season 8, fans can expect the new season to follow in late 2026 or possibly early 2027, assuming Netflix maintains its typical annual release pattern and ten-episode format Business UpturnGazettely.
Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith expressed heartfelt thanks via Netflix’s Tudum platform, stating: “On behalf of myself and the whole Virgin River family, we’re eternally grateful…” The Pioneer Woman+15Decider+15The Economic Times+15. The cast also celebrated: lead actress Alexandra Breckenridge responded on Instagram saying, “#virginriver keeps on keeping on!”, while co-star Zibby Allen added, “Turns out, commitment is sexy” TechRadar+11cinemablend.com+11Showbiz Cheat Sheet+11.
Season 7 will continue to follow newlyweds Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson) as they begin married life and plan for a family, while Doc (Tim Matheson) and Hope (Annette O’Toole) work to defend the local clinic against increasing outside pressure The Economic Times+15Decider+15Good Housekeeping+15.
New characters arriving in Season 7 include Victoria, a former cop turned medical board investigator played by Sara Canning, and Clay, a rodeo-savvy foster care survivor played by Cody Kearsley Wikipedia+4netflix.com+4Tom’s Guide+4. These plots may carry over into Season 8 as the show continues to expand its ensemble.
Despite its popularity, Virgin River remained relatively low-cost to produce—filming primarily in British Columbia, often using the same locations and cast—making it a smart bet for Netflix’s binge-hungry audience Wikipedia+1.
While the announcement confirms Season 8, it does not yet confirm if it will be the final season or part of a larger universe that includes potential spin-offs or prequels featuring younger versions of Mel’s parents The Express Tribune.
Quick Reference Table
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Season 8 officially greenlit? | ✅ Yes — confirmed while Season 7 wrapped filming. |
| Episode count? | 10 episodes (brings total to ~84 episodes). |
| Season 7 premiere window? | Likely late 2025 or early 2026. |
| Season 8 premiere speculated? | Estimated late 2026 or early 2027. |
| Key plots ahead? | Mel & Jack married life; Doc & Hope clinic defense; new faces. |
| Record relevance? | Longest-running Netflix original scripted drama. |
🌟 Final Take
Virgin River continues to prove its staying power: beloved by fans, celebrated by cast and showrunner alike, and now cemented in Netflix history as its longest-running scripted drama. With production already mapped out for Season 7 and Season 8 secured, viewers can expect at least 20 new episodes of small-town romance, community drama, and emotional cliffhangers ahead. Whether you’re team #MelAndJack, cheering for Doc and Hope, or simply drawn to the charm of Virgin River, one thing’s certain: this river keeps flowing.
