‘Virgin River’ Season 6: Everything to Know About Netflix’s Romantic Drama

When Will Season 6 Be Released?

The show’s season six renewal was announced in May 2023, months before season five even premiered in the fall of 2023. Production began in February and now Netflix has finally revealed a premiere date: Thursday, Dec. 19.

The 10-episode season will drop all at once, following an experimental season. Season five, which had 12 episodes total, released the first 10 together, followed by the final two episodes, which were billed as holiday episodes, nearly three months later.

“”

Who Will We See in Season 6?

The main castmembers are all returning and that includes: Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel, Martin Henderson as Jack, Tim Matheson as Dr. Vernon “Doc” Mullins, Annette O’Toole as Hope McCrea, Colin Lawrence as John “Preacher” Middleton, Benjamin Hollingsworth as Dan Brady, Sarah Dugdale as Lizzie, Zibby Allen as Brie Sheridan, Marco Grazzini as Mike Valenzuela, Kandyse McClure as Kaia Bryant, Mark Ghanime as Dr. Cameron Hayek and Kai Bradbury as Denny Cutler.

Virgin River‘s holiday episodes also revealed a new character — Mel’s birth father Everett Reid (played by John Allen Nelson). Smith has said Everett will be at least one new face around the small town, so fans can expect to see him again. The showrunner told THR last year that it was a “nice reveal at the end of the first episode to know that he was actually right in our backyard.”

And Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day) and Callum Kerr (One Piece) are joining the show as a young Sarah and Everett, Mel’s parents, who will meet and fall in love in flashback in the 1970s.

Smith also revealed earlier this year that viewers can expect some “new directions” for fan-favorite characters Preacher, Brady and Kaia. “Brady will be volunteering at the Virgin River fire station under Fire Chief Kaia, who is pulled into Preacher’s past sins,” he said. “Also this season we’ll be surprised by some returning favorites from the past.” 

“”

What Do We Know About the Plot of Season 6?

Expect some storylines from the holiday episodes to continue into the new season, including Mel navigating a new relationship with her biological father, as well as her pregnancy struggles with Jack.

Smith also shared plenty of teasers for fans while they wait, revealing earlier this year, “Mel and Jack will advance on their path to parenthood while also turning Lilly’s farm into their ultimate dream home.” He also previously told THR that “there’s opportunity with the land they bought with the farm that I think will find other dream projects for Jack.”

He noted that the new season will take place several months after Christmas, “deeper into springtime” — and promised that “babies and wedding bells are never off the table on Virgin River.”

As for Preacher and Kaia — especially after the big season five cliffhanger was the police identifying Wes’ (Steve Bacic) body — Smith said it was a “bombshell” for the duo, so they plan to “definitely hit the ground running” with that storyline in season six.

Now, in a new interview with Tudum, Smith said season six is all about the lead-up to Mel and Jack’s wedding, including bachelor and bachelorette parties, dress shopping, the rehearsal dinner and “more than one last-minute wrench thrown into the mix for our favorite couple.”

Here is the official logline from Netflix: “Against the backdrop of Mel and Jack’s romantic spring wedding season, this sixth installment promises fresh twists and turns, escalating love triangles, delightful wedding drama, as well as uncovered secrets from Mel’s father’s past which will transport us to the magic and mystique of Virgin River in the 1970s.”

And check out the rest of the first look photos, below:

“”