“Virgin River” fans, prepare yourselves — according to one of its most beloved stars, the next chapter of the Netflix drama will be one of the most emotional yet. John “Preacher” Middleton himself, played by Colin Lawrence, has officially wrapped filming for Season 7, and he’s giving viewers a tantalizing taste of what’s ahead. In a heartfelt Instagram video, Lawrence reflected on the experience, saying, “And that, my friends, is a wrap on Season 7 for John ‘Preacher’ Middleton. Oh gosh, what can I tell you? Another stellar season, in my humble opinion. This show has been the most fun to work on. I’ve been so blessed to have been a part of this for the last seven seasons.”
While wrapping production is often bittersweet, Lawrence reassured fans that he’s not ready to close this chapter of his career just yet, adding, “Fingers crossed, more to come.” In the same message, he teased that the upcoming season will deliver the full range of emotions audiences have come to expect. “You’re really going to enjoy it this season. There’s more laughs, there’s more tears, there’s just a lot of emotion, and I really can’t wait to share with you.”
That promise — “more laughs” and “more tears” — is sure to hit home for Virgin River loyalists, who have been following the heartfelt romances, family sagas, and small-town drama for years. But for now, one burning question remains: when will Season 7 premiere? Netflix has yet to announce an official release date. Lawrence admitted he’s as much in the dark as the rest of us, telling his followers, “You’re gonna have to wait until that release date. Don’t know when it is, but when I find out, hopefully you’ll find out. Until then, be kind to each other, and yeah, thanks for tuning in.”
The season wrap wasn’t celebrated by Lawrence alone. Co-stars Benjamin Hollingsworth, Annette O’Toole, and Zibby Allen all joined in to share behind-the-scenes moments with fans. Allen, who plays Brie Sheridan, posted a photo carousel featuring Alexandra Breckenridge (Melinda “Mel” Monroe) and Martin Henderson (Jack Sheridan), the show’s central couple. The images captured the warm, collaborative spirit that’s made Virgin River as cozy and inviting as the fictional town it portrays.
As for where Season 7 will pick up, showrunners have confirmed there will be no time jump. The story will continue directly from the tense, cliffhanger-laden ending of Season 6. Viewers can look forward to reuniting with their favorite couples and following their personal and romantic developments, but the season will also tackle a major new storyline: the investigation into Doc Mullins’ (Tim Matheson) medical practice. His license suspension has thrown his future — and the town’s access to medical care — into jeopardy.
Central to this storyline will be the introduction of Victoria, a new recurring character played by The Vampire Diaries alum Sara Canning. Victoria is a former police officer who transitioned to investigative work for the state medical board after sustaining a gunshot injury in the line of duty. Her sharp instincts and no-nonsense approach will put her at the heart of the inquiry into Doc’s professional conduct, promising tense and potentially explosive interactions with the town’s residents.
Another fresh face joining Virgin River in Season 7 is Riverdale’s Cody Kearsley as Clay, a rugged rodeo worker on a deeply personal mission — finding his long-lost sister. His arrival is expected to add both grit and heart to the season, and perhaps even intertwine with ongoing storylines in surprising ways.
Though an exact premiere date remains unconfirmed, there’s reason to believe fans won’t be waiting too long. The last two seasons of Virgin River rolled out in late fall or early winter, suggesting a likely release before the end of 2025. With filming now complete, post-production will be the final step before the season lands in viewers’ queues.
Until then, anticipation will continue to build. Lawrence’s warm, grateful sign-off — and his promise of “more laughs” and “more tears” — is exactly the kind of tease that keeps Virgin River fans invested. The beauty of the series has always been its balance: moments of lighthearted humor nestled beside deeply moving, sometimes heart-wrenching turns. If Lawrence’s hints are any indication, Season 7 will lean into both sides of that emotional spectrum, offering a season that is as unpredictable as it is deeply satisfying.
With the entire cast celebrating the completion of another chapter, and with new characters ready to shake things up, Virgin River Season 7 is shaping up to be one of the most compelling yet. For now, viewers can only wait — and maybe rewatch the earlier seasons — while keeping their fingers crossed for a premiere date announcement in the months to come.
