Virgin River season 7 has been given an official release date by Netflix, and fans are counting down the days until the romance drama returns.

Netflix unveiled the first episodic image for Virgin River season 7 (Image: NETFLIX)

Devotees of Virgin River can begin counting down the days, as the seventh instalment of the beloved Netflix drama is set to land imminently. The streaming giant has unveiled the official launch date as part of its 2026 programming lineup, alongside a fresh photograph featuring My Secret Santa star Alexandra Breckenridge and heartthrob Martin Henderson as Mel and Jack Sheridan, alongside a mystery woman.

The inaugural still from the forthcoming season captures the two protagonists appearing utterly smitten following their nuptials, as they engage in dialogue with an unidentified woman. Viewers won’t be kept in suspense for long, as season seven of Virgin River premieres on Netflix on March 12.

The programme has welcomed Sara Canning and Cody Kearsley as recurring performers, though it remains uncertain whether the mysterious woman is Canning’s character or represents another fresh face joining the cast. The ‘comfort watch’ drama, adapted from Robyn Carr’s literary works, has audiences eager to witness Mel and Jack navigating their newlywed bliss.

The romantic series, which has already secured an eighth season commission, typically shoots in Vancouver, but the forthcoming seventh chapter incorporates filming in Mexico, delivering viewers an additional treat. The stars confirmed the end of filming for season seven with some emotional posts. 

Supporters flocked to X, previously known as Twitter, to express their reactions to the announcement, with Layla declaring: “Can’t wait to see them back, the hype is real for season 7.”

Sara Canning plays Victoria in the new season of Virgin River (Image: GETTY)

Priesha added: “Eagerly waiting for this one.” Kizil Bige expressed: “Finally. Virgin River is the only thing keeping my peace of mind intact. March 12 cannot come soon enough.”

While Capt Cavey enthused: “Can’t wait! Seven more weeks!” Neural Network added: “So excited to see them again! Been waiting for this season to finally arrive.”

Yet not all Netflix subscribers shared the enthusiasm, with Selena Maris remarking: “How is this boring soap opera still a thing Netflix is catering to the lowest common denominator with this Hallmark-level trash while actual quality shows get cancelled. It’s just middle-aged fan fiction for people who have given up on reality. Absolute peak cringe and a total waste of bandwidth.”

Newcomer Canning, recognised from The Vampire Diaries, enters the series as former police officer Victoria, who suffered a shooting whilst on duty and now serves as an investigator for the state medical board. Her arrival in Virgin River sees her examining Doc Mulllins’ (Tim Matheson) practice, though she encounters a familiar face.

lexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson are coming back (Image: NETFLIX)

Meanwhile, Riverdale star Kearsley portrays rugged, athletic Clay, who brings rodeo circuit expertise to the role. Having grown up in foster care alongside his younger sister, whom he lost contact with during his teenage years, he’s been searching for her ever since.

The comeback cast features Annette O’Toole, Colin Lawrence, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Zibby Allen, Sarah Dugdale, Marco Grazzini, Kai Bradbury and Kandyse McClure. Despite the hurdles that Mel and Jack encounter in their marital life, their relationship remains unshaken.

Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith shared with Tudum: “I can’t imagine creating a scenario where you think Mel and Jack are going to break up. It forces you to dig a little bit deeper into, well, what other issues can they have in their relationship?”

“Especially when you want to keep it through the romance lens. I think Alex and Martin play all of those [moments so well], it’s just resting on emotional stakes as opposed to ‘will they, won’t they’.”

Virgin River returns to Netflix on March 12