Virgin River season 6 is now on everyone’s minds after the hit Netflix show finished

its fifth season with two festive episodes. While Virgin River season 5 answered

the burning question of who is the father of Charmaine’s twins? Another cliffhanger sent fans

wild after it ended with a shocking revelation — who is Mel’s father in Virgin River?

Virgin River season 5 part 1 saw the residents face a terrifying wildfire that threatened to burn down the town, all the while Mel and Jack were grieving from her devastating miscarriage.

Other storylines that were also featured were Hope McCrea’s recovery, Doc Mullins’ diagnosis, an unexpected pregnancy, a surprise romance and Brie Sheridan and Brady’s relationship.

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Meanwhile, Virgin River season 5 part 2 fast-forwarded from the Labor Day finale to Christmas, which saw Mel Monroe search for her long-lost father who she only knew by his pen name “Champ”.

Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith has revealed that season 6 will return to a 10-episode season like it did for seasons 1-3, unlike the 12 episodes we had for seasons 4 and 5.

He also added that he wouldn’t do another holiday special in season 6 as he told Deadline: “It’s sort of, been there done that, and I feel like we did it in a big way that I wouldn’t even know where to start to explore.”

There’s good news as production is now well Vunderway for season six and in another exciting twist, there’s also a Virgin River prequel in the works!

Mel Monroe and Jack Sheridan smiling.

Virgin River season 5 part 1 ending explained
Virgin River season 5 part 2 ending explained
Virgin River season 6 release date
There is currently no release date for Virgin River season 6, but the show started filming on February, 22 2024 in Vancouver after being delayed by strikes and weather. According to Deadline, the series will land on Netflix in 2025, but no specific date has been revealed.

The Virgin River Instagram account officially announced that season 6 was in production by sharing a picture of Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson dressed as their characters Mel Monroe and Jack Sheridan on set with the caption: “It’s official! Virgin River season 6 is back in production!”

It is not yet known if the new season will be released all at once like seasons 1-4, or will be split into two parts like season 5.

Virgin River season 6 filming news
After delays due to the writers strikes it has been officially announced that filming wrapped as scheduled at the end of May 2024. So with the series now in post-production it means the wait is almost over for the new episodes to arrive.

Virgin River season 6 cast
Hope, Doc, Denny, Lizzie, Jack and Mel huddle around a Christmas tree.

Tudum announced that the majority of our Virgin River favorites will return, including: Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe, Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan, Tim Matheson as Doc Mullins, Annette O’Toole as Hope McCrea, Benjamin Hollingsworth as Brady, Sarah Dugdale as Lizzie, Colin Lawrence as John “Preacher” Middleton, Zibby Allen as Brie Sheridan and Lauren Hammersley as Charmaine Roberts.

Others that are likely to return are Marco Grazzini as Mike Valenzuela, Kai Bradbury as Denny Cutler, Mark Ghanimé as Dr. Cameron Hayek, Teryl Rothery as Muriel, Nicola Cavendish as Connie, Gwynyth Walsh as Jo Ellen and Jenny Cooper as Joey Barnes.

Kandyse McClure will also return as firefighter Kaia Bryant as showrunner Patrick Sean Smith teased that we can expect some “new directions” for Preacher, Brady and Kaia.

He revealed: “Brady will be volunteering at the Virgin River fire station under Fire Chief Kaia, who is pulled into Preacher’s past sins. Also this season we’ll be surprised by some returning favorites from the past.”

John Allen Nelson is also confirmed to be starring in the new season as Mel’s biological dad Everett Reid after he shared an eagerness to have a relationship with Mel in the finale.

Smith also spoke to Deadline in November 2023 and teased that there will be returning villains in the next series. So we can guess that David Cubitt will be back as Calvin, after it was revealed that he was the father of Charmaine’s twins, as well as his former right-hand man, Jimmy (Ian Tracey).

Casting is reportedly underway for actors to play a young Everett and Mel’s mom Sarah in Virgin River season 6.

Virgin River season 6 plot
Champ in Virgin River

Mel’s dad Everett Reid in Virgin River. (Image credit: Netflix)
An official plot synopsis hasn’t yet been revealed but showrunner Patrick Sean Smith teased all about his plans for season 6 in an interview with Deadline.

The first episode will see a time jump from season 5’s holiday special, “Father Christmas” where Mel’s dad reveals that he has something important to tell her.

He shared: “We do intend to do another time jump from the holidays to when Season 6 starts so we can anticipate a bit of a time jump. I don’t know exactly how many months but it won’t be a direct pickup from the holidays.”

Patrick added that we will discover what important information Everett has to tell Mel, saying: “We’ll find out what he says. But then we’ll have a jump in some way.”

Also in season 6, Patrick “promises more Mel and Jack, reveals Doc’s prognosis, shares whether Paige would be back and hints at how long Lizzie would be pregnant on the show.”

And as for Mel’s dad Everett, Patrick hinted whether he will be a part of Mel’s life in season 6.

He said: “I don’t know as far as in what capacity, but he will [join]. It is a big thing that we’re exploring in Season 6. It just felt like an opportunity for a character who hasn’t had a living parent in her life; getting to see Mel with a living parent has been fun to explore. And also just finding another way that Mel is attached to this town in a bigger, universal, fated sort of way; that she was always meant to come to this place for many reasons.”

Patrick also said that they will be exploring Everett’s backstory and what his connection to Virgin River was when he met Mel’s mom, Sarah.

Deadline have also revealed that season 6 will provide a glimpse into Everett and Sarah’s past, with a young Everett and Sarah featuring in flashbacks.

But there’s one thing he can promise and that’s “babies and wedding bells are never off the table on Virgin River.”

He gave us a glimpse into Mel and Jack’s future, saying to Tudum: “Mel and Jack will advance on their path to parenthood while also turning Lilly’s farm into their ultimate dream home.”

Preacher and Kaia embrace by the lake.

Is there a trailer?
There is currently no trailer for Virgin River season 6, but we will update this guide as soon as one has been announced.

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Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.