Veteran actress Annette O’Toole – star of ‘Virgin River’ – has passed away at the age of 74 hue01

From love and friendship to heartbreak and secrets, Virgin River keeps pulling fans back in for more.

Netflix’s heartfelt drama follows Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), a nurse and midwife who leaves the bright lights of Los Angeles for the quiet charm of Northern California. Adjusting to life in Virgin River isn’t easy, but Mel finds her place, makes close friends, and even finds love with the local bar owner, Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson).

Season 7 premiered on Thursday, March 12, and left viewers eager for more. It dove into Mel and Jack’s journey to becoming parents — a storyline Breckenridge told Entertainment Weekly would come with plenty of challenges for the couple. It also gave a glimpse into Lizzie and Denny’s (Kai Bradbury) own foray into parenthood, along with plenty of other romances and classic small-town drama.

Luckily, the story isn’t over yet: Netflix has already confirmed there’s more to come. Here’s everything we know so far about Virgin River season 8.

Will there be a Virgin River season 8?

Yes, Virgin River is coming back for season 8. Netflix gave the green light back in July 2025, before season 7 even hit screens in March 2026. It’s now officially the streamer’s longest-running scripted show, beating out hits like Grace and Frankie and Orange Is the New Black.

Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith shared his excitement with Tudum, saying, “On behalf of myself and the whole Virgin River family, we’re eternally grateful to Netflix and to the fans for allowing us to continue on this journey with these beloved characters.”

What is Virgin River season 8 about?

Netflix hasn’t shared any plot details about Virgin River season 8 yet, which isn’t surprising since season 7 has only just arrived on the streamer.

For now, it’s safe to assume the show will keep doing what it does best: following the everyday lives of the people in Virgin River and all the relationship drama and unexpected twists that always seem to find their way there.

Who’s in the cast of Virgin River season 8?

Netflix hasn’t revealed the full cast for Virgin River season 8 yet, but we do know who won’t be returning. EW has confirmed that Marco Grazzini, who played Jack’s friend Mike, and Lauren Hammersley, who starred as Jack’s prior love interest Charmaine, will not appear in season 8.

“Character departures are very common in this business — especially on a long-running and beloved series like Virgin River. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to play Mike for six seasons,” Grazzini told EW. He added that he has “nothing but love for the cast, crew, and especially the phenomenal fans who make the show so special.”

“I’m excited for this new chapter in my career,” he continued.

That said, Virgin River is built around its core group of characters, so it’s hard to imagine the story continuing without them. Chances are, fans will see many of their favorite cast members back on screen.

Breckenridge is expected to return as Mel, along with Henderson as Jack, Sarah Dugdale as Lizzie, and Bradbury as Denny.

Viewers will also probably see many longtime favorites back on the show, including Tim Matheson as Doc, Annette O’Toole as Hope, Colin Lawrence as Preacher, Zibby Allen as Brie, Benjamin Hollingsworth as Dan, and Kandyse McClure as Kaia.

What’s a little more up in the air is whether some of the newer additions from season 7 will come back. Actors like Sara Canning, Cody Kearsley, and Austin Nichols joined the cast more recently, and it’s not clear yet if their characters will be part of the next chapter.

How many episodes are in Virgin River season 8?

Virgin River season 8 will have 10 episodes, so fans have plenty to look forward to.

When does Virgin River season 8 come out?

As of now, Netflix hasn’t announced a release date for Virgin River season 8, but looking at past seasons, new episodes have dropped around once a year. If that pattern continues, we could be seeing the show back on our screens in 2027.

Where can I watch Virgin River?

Virgin River is now streaming on Netflix.