Virgin River Season 7 Release Date Confirmed: Premiere Kicks Off with a Missing Person Report — Who’s Gone?
Netflix’s beloved romantic drama Virgin River has fans eagerly awaiting its seventh season, and the streamer has finally confirmed the release date: February 14, 2026, perfectly timed for a Valentine’s Day binge. The announcement comes hot on the heels of Season 6’s emotional rollercoaster, which premiered on December 19, 2024, and left viewers reeling with a cliffhanger involving a missing person. Season 7’s premiere is set to dive straight into this mystery, with a missing person report taking center stage. But who’s gone? With production updates, new cast members, and lingering questions from Season 6, here’s everything we know about Virgin River Season 7 and the enigma at its heart.
Release Date and Production Details
Netflix confirmed Virgin River Season 7’s release date in a June 2025 press release, aligning with the show’s tradition of delivering heartfelt drama around the holiday season or early in the new year. Filming began on March 12, 2025, in Vancouver, Canada, and wrapped on June 26, 2025, as announced by cast members like Alexandra Breckenridge (Mel) and Ben Hollingsworth (Brady) on Instagram. The streamlined production schedule, slightly faster than Season 6’s February-to-May 2024 shoot, supports the early 2026 premiere, avoiding the harsh winter months that delayed previous seasons. Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith told Tudum that Season 7 picks up “two hours” after Season 6’s finale, ensuring no major time jump and immediate resolution to the cliffhangers.
The season will consist of 10 episodes, continuing the show’s pattern of concise yet drama-packed installments. While no official trailer has been released, fans expect a teaser by late 2025, based on Netflix’s promotional timeline for Season 6. The show’s consistent popularity—Season 6 racked up 25.6 million views in its first four weeks—makes it Netflix’s longest-running English-language drama, with discussions already underway for a potential Season 8.
The Missing Person Mystery: Who’s Gone?
Season 6 ended with a gut-wrenching cliffhanger: Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson) discovered Charmaine’s (Lauren Hammersley) house ransacked, with no sign of her or her twins. This sets up Season 7’s premiere, which opens with a missing person report, as confirmed by TVLine. Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith teased “bad news” for Jack regarding Charmaine, hinting at potential danger or worse. Fans are convinced Charmaine is the missing person, with many suspecting her ex, Calvin (David Cubitt), a shady figure with a history of threats, is behind her disappearance. Her absence from Mel and Jack’s wedding in Season 6, coupled with her pursuit of a restraining order against Calvin, fuels speculation of foul play.
However, the mystery isn’t cut-and-dry. Some fans on X theorize that Charmaine might have fled voluntarily, perhaps to protect her twins from Calvin’s influence, leaving Jack to misinterpret the scene. Others suggest a darker twist: Calvin may have kidnapped or harmed her, tying into Season 6’s escalating tension around his return. Lauren Hammersley’s cryptic Instagram post in late 2024 sparked rumors she might exit the show, but her character’s unresolved arc makes her central to Season 7’s opening. Alternatively, the missing person could be a red herring, with another character—perhaps tied to new cast members—taking the spotlight.
New Cast Members and Storylines
Season 7 introduces two recurring characters who could be linked to the missing person mystery. Sara Canning (The Vampire Diaries) plays Victoria, an ex-cop turned state medical board investigator who arrives to scrutinize Doc’s (Tim Matheson) practice after his license suspension. Her run-in with an old friend in Virgin River hints at a personal connection, possibly to Jack or Preacher (Colin Lawrence), which could tie her to the investigation. Cody Kearsley (Riverdale) joins as Clay, a rodeo worker searching for his long-lost foster sister. His quest might intersect with the missing person case, especially if his sister is someone familiar, like Charmaine or a new figure.
The core cast returns, including Alexandra Breckenridge (Mel), Martin Henderson (Jack), Tim Matheson (Doc), Annette O’Toole (Hope), Colin Lawrence (Preacher), Benjamin Hollingsworth (Brady), Zibby Allen (Brie), Sarah Dugdale (Lizzie), and Kai Bradbury (Denny). Mark Ghanimé’s Cameron will not return as a series regular, though Smith left the door open for a future appearance. The season will also feature young Everett (Callum Kerr) and Sarah (Jessica Rothe), tying into a potential prequel series about Mel’s parents.
Key storylines include Mel and Jack navigating their honeymoon phase while facing adoption drama with Marley’s baby, as Phil and Darla backed out in Season 6. Lizzie and Denny prepare for their daughter’s arrival, while Brie and Mike grapple with her affair with Brady, complicated by Mike’s proposal and Brady’s betrayal by Lark, who stole his money. Doc’s clinic faces external pressure from Grace Valley Hospital, and Muriel’s (Teryl Rothery) breast cancer treatment will be a focal point, with Smith promising a hopeful arc.
Connecting to Ginny & Georgia’s Themes
While Virgin River and Ginny & Georgia are distinct, their shared focus on small-town drama and buried secrets creates intriguing parallels. The Ginny & Georgia Season 4 trailer’s line, “You buried the truth with him,” mirrors Virgin River’s missing person mystery, suggesting a cover-up or unresolved death. In Ginny & Georgia, the line points to Georgia’s past crimes, potentially her stepfather’s death, while in Virgin River, Charmaine’s disappearance could uncover darker truths about Calvin or the town’s underbelly. Both shows explore family dynamics and the cost of hidden truths, with Season 7’s missing person report echoing the suspense of Georgia’s “You found me” finale moment.
Fan Speculation and Expectations
Fans on X are buzzing about the missing person mystery, with posts like “Charmaine’s gone, and Calvin’s gotta be behind it! Season 7 can’t come soon enough” reflecting the urgency. Some predict a love triangle involving Brie, Mike, and Brady will overshadow the investigation, while others hope Clay’s search for his sister introduces a new twist. Breckenridge teased on Instagram that Season 7 will focus on “family,” emphasizing the community ties that draw viewers in. With the premiere set to resolve Charmaine’s fate early, fans expect a season of emotional highs, romantic entanglements, and shocking reveals.
Why This Premiere Matters
The February 14, 2026, premiere of Virgin River Season 7, kicking off with a missing person report, promises to deliver the show’s signature blend of heart and suspense. Whether Charmaine is the victim of foul play or another character is missing, the mystery will test Mel, Jack, and the town’s resilience. With new faces like Victoria and Clay stirring the pot, and ongoing arcs like Mel’s adoption and Doc’s clinic drama, Season 7 is poised to be a pivotal chapter. Fans can stream Seasons 1–6 on Netflix to prepare for the romantic, twist-filled return to Virgin River.