After a tumultuous Season 7 of Virgin River, Jack (Martin Henderson) and his new wife, Melinda “Mel” Monroe Sheridan (Alexandra Breckenridge), are once again facing heartbreak – this time surrounding their long-awaited adoption journey.
Just as hope seems within reach, the baby is born with a congenital heart defect and rushed to a children’s hospital for a complicated surgery, raising the stakes yet again for the couple who fans have rooted for to become parents at last, during years of loss.
Mel’s past – including a stillbirth, miscarriage, and failed IVF – makes this latest setback even more emotional.
“In typical Virgin River fashion, Mel and Jack always seem to have their happiness ripped away from them,” Henderson exclusively told Parade. “Even when we think they finally deserve it, there’s a hiccup.”
Looking ahead to Season 8, which has already been renewed by Netflix, Henderson is cautiously optimistic. “Obviously, I hope the operation turns out well, and they get to be the mommy and daddy of a healthy little boy, and live out their dreams of having the home and the family that they always wanted.”
(Courtesy of Netflix)
He added that the baby’s outlook appears promising. “The infant seems to be in good hands. Dr. Eli (the cardiac surgeon) made a promise to do his best, so hopefully that is the case.”
One nice respite from all of the chaos of the season was Jack and Mel’s romantic seaside honeymoon in Mexico. Amid the tranquil blue waters, they stumble upon a long-married couple who advise that the souls of their future children are already with them, so they should have faith and be patient, knowing that parenthood will come.
“It’s nice that it gave them a sense of relief, because obviously they have been through so much, particularly Mel with the stillbirth, the death of the first husband, and then their own miscarriage and the pain that set them back so much,” Henderson said.
“They’ve managed to hold on with faith for one another, so that’s never wavered. By the time they get to the honeymoon, there’s obviously so much uncertainty.”
Meanwhile, Season 7 leaves fans hanging with several major cliffhangers, including the shocking motorcycle accident involving Brady (Benjamin Hollingsworth), which has many viewers worried about his outcome.
“As you saw, we have to wait to see Brady’s fate and how bad that accident was,” he said. “I think it was nice the way it was directed, you didn’t see any other details other than he went down and he went out of frame, so a lot’s possible and we’ll certainly find out next season.”
When asked about the future for Brady, and Jack’s sister, Brie, (Zibby Allen), Henderson said Jack wants his sister to be happy.
(Courtest of Netflix)
“Jack tells Brie at the beginning of Season 7, ‘I want you to have everything that Mel and I have; you deserve that. Obviously, Brie goes through the season conflicted and trying to get her head and her heart in the same place about who that would be.”
Another major development for Season 8 is the departure of two long-time characters, Mike (Marco Grazzini) and Charmaine (Lauren Hammersley). “I’m sad to see Marco and his character, Mike, leave. He will be missed,” said Henderson. “Marco did such a fine job in season 7 with that whole storyline of being [Brie’s] jilted lover.”
Henderson added that after 7 seasons, Virgin River feels more like a family all the time, with such a nice group of people with awesome attitudes who make going to work extremely easy.
“I thought Marco did a really good job with Mike over the years. So yeah, I’m sad to see the character go, and to see Marco go,” he said. “The character seemed to get a fresh beginning with Victoria (Sara Canning), who is pretty saucy, and their chemistry was fun, so I think Marco is going to have a good time in Los Angeles.”
Another key character in Jack’s life is his Marine buddy and right-hand man, Preacher (Colin Lawrence), who has upped his culinary delights and is thinking of leaving Jack’s bar to strike out on his own with a more upscale restaurant.
(Courtesy of Netflix)
Henderson said he has mixed emotions about Jack and Preacher severing some of their ties. “Obviously, they’ve been through hell together, with going to war and losing friends and the stress of that, but their bond has always been so strong,” he explained. “I think that it was always such a lovely partnership with Jack owning the bar and essentially running it, but then Preacher stepping in and bringing all of his talent to it.”
When it comes to his hopes for Season 8, without giving away teasers or spoilers, Henderson says he is “rooting for Brie and Brady. I feel like both of them have been through the wringer with the unrequitedness of their relationship.”
Henderson is also rooting for Preacher to realize whatever his dream is, and whether that’s to stay at the bar or go out on his own. “As he stated to his girlfriend Kaia (Kandyse McClure), ‘He always feels like he was Jack’s second in command, and I feel like he wants to step into his own power as an individual.’ I’m excited to see what that looks like.”
He added he hopes that “Jack and Mel get some kind of consistent stretch of marital bliss and domestic bliss without too many heartbreaks. I feel like they deserve it at this point. “
(Courtesy of Netflix)
For Henderson, Jack’s evolution during the past seven seasons has involved maturing, growing, and tackling some of his demons. “Ultimately, I think that he [showrunner Patrick Sean Smith] really feels that it’s an important, inspiring thing to put out there in the zeitgeist about people overcoming their shortcomings and their limitations and growing.”
He added that Jack acknowledging his drinking and remaining sober, staying committed to Mel, and the idea of them having a family has shown major growth. “I think this puts him in a good position to be a really good dad. He can speak to the virtue of courage, facing things, showing personal growth, and not running when things get hard. I’m excited to see what that looks like as the show goes on with them as parents, if they become parents, which I can’t say.”
In sum, Henderson said he knows there are “really big twists” coming for Season 8, which he promises will be exciting. “I can’t say anything more, but they’ve definitely got some really nice, shocking surprises in store, which will hopefully keep people intrigued and coming back for more.”