Unpacking the ‘Virgin River’ Universe: Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith on the “Rich World” Ready for Prequels and Spinoffs
For years, Netflix’s Virgin River has captivated audiences with its blend of heartwarming romance, small-town charm, and compelling drama. Based on Robyn Carr’s extensive book series, the show has cultivated a fiercely loyal fanbase eager for more stories from this idyllic yet often tumultuous corner of Northern California. Now, showrunner Patrick Sean Smith is openly discussing the exciting potential for expanding the Virgin River universe beyond the main series, hinting at prequels and spinoffs that could delve into the past and explore new character journeys.
Smith’s vision centers on the idea that Virgin River is more than just a setting; it’s a “rich world with rich characters” that offers endless storytelling possibilities. This strategic move could follow the successful model of other Netflix franchises, like Bridgerton with its Queen Charlotte prequel, allowing the show to maintain its core appeal while exploring new facets of its beloved narrative.
The Confirmed Prequel: Mel’s Parents’ Origin Story
The most concrete plan for expansion that Smith has detailed is a prequel series focusing on Mel Monroe’s (Alexandra Breckenridge) parents, Sarah and Everett Reed. Viewers got a glimpse of their younger selves in flashbacks during Season 6, hinting at their complicated love story set in the 1970s. These flashbacks served as a “backdoor pilot,” effectively testing the waters for a standalone series.
Smith has confirmed that this prequel is “still in development.” Speaking to outlets like Variety and The Pioneer Woman, he emphasized that the prequel will remain “romance-forward” and “character-based,” staying true to the original series’ ethos. However, it will also offer a unique historical backdrop. “We wanted to dissect more of Everett and Sarah’s relationship, not just their romance but also the origins of Virgin River itself in the 1970s,” Smith explained. This means the prequel wouldn’t just be a love story; it would also explore the social and cultural challenges of that era and potentially reveal more about the town’s early days and how it came to be the unique community it is today.
Jessica Rothe and Callum Kerr, who portrayed younger Sarah and Everett in Season 6, are reportedly set to reprise their roles in the prequel. This continuity will help bridge the two series and provide fans with a deeper understanding of Mel’s family history and her connection to Virgin River.
While some fans have expressed mixed reactions to a Mel-centric prequel, preferring a focus on other characters like Doc Mullins or the town’s early days, Smith has argued that Mel is the central figure of Virgin River, and exploring her origins makes sense. He compared it to Queen Charlotte, noting that it’s an opportunity to “put Sarah and Everett in the foreground of their own story, while populating, as Virgin River has, the world with supporting characters.”
Beyond the Prequel: The Potential for Other Spinoffs
Smith’s discussions aren’t limited to just Mel’s parents. He sees a broader potential for expanding the Virgin River universe, drawing inspiration from Robyn Carr’s extensive book series. The books, unlike the show, often shift focus to different couples in each installment, expanding the world by introducing new characters and their love stories within and around Virgin River.
“I think if there’s an opportunity to take what Virgin River as a book series was, which was each book was focusing on one couple and expanding the world outside of it,” Smith told Deadline, “to put Sarah and Everett in the foreground of their own story, while populating, as Virgin River has, the world with supporting characters and other.” This implies that the current prequel focusing on Mel’s parents could just be the first step in a larger plan to create a connected universe of romance and drama.
The possibilities for future spinoffs are vast and exciting:
- Doc and Hope’s Early Years: A frequently requested prequel concept from fans is a series focusing on Doc Mullins (Tim Matheson) and Hope McCrea (Annette O’Toole). Their decades-long history, their complicated marriage, and Doc’s role in establishing the clinic would provide rich material. Smith has indicated that Hope’s backstory will be further explored in Virgin River Season 7, potentially laying groundwork for a deeper dive into her family legacy and relationship with the area in a prequel. This could even connect to the Mel’s parents prequel, as Doc and Hope would have been younger adults in the 1970s.
- Exploring Other Towns: Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series includes other nearby towns like “Thunder Point” and “Sullivan’s Crossing” (the latter has already been adapted into a separate series by Virgin River EP Roma Roth). A spinoff could explore characters and stories in these adjacent communities, showing how they intersect with Virgin River residents, much like the books do. This would allow the show to retain its small-town charm while introducing fresh faces and challenges.
- New Couples and Their Journeys: The core of Virgin River is romance. A spinoff could introduce entirely new characters who move to Virgin River or a neighboring town, much like Mel did, and follow their journey of finding love, healing, and community. This would provide a fresh perspective while maintaining the show’s beloved themes.
- Focus on Supporting Characters: Many fan-favorite supporting characters, like Preacher, Brie, or even Lizzie and Denny, have compelling backstories and future potentials that could anchor their own limited series or movies within the Virgin River universe.
The Appeal of an Expanded Universe
Why is this expansion appealing to Netflix and the showrunners?
- Established Fanbase: Virgin River consistently ranks high in Netflix’s viewership, indicating a dedicated and hungry audience ready to consume more content from this world. This reduces the risk associated with launching new shows.
- Brand Recognition: The “Virgin River” name itself is a strong brand. Any show set within its universe would benefit from instant recognition and familiarity.
- Robyn Carr’s Rich Source Material: With over 20 books in the Virgin River series, plus other related series, Robyn Carr has created a vast and detailed world with numerous characters and storylines that the show can draw upon or adapt.
- “Comfort Watch” Appeal: The show’s reputation as a “comfort watch” means there’s a strong demand for more of its unique blend of escapism, romance, and emotional storytelling. Expanding the universe offers more of what fans love.
- Creative Freedom: While the main series has to juggle a large ensemble and ongoing arcs, spinoffs or prequels can offer writers more creative freedom to explore specific periods, themes, or character pairings in greater depth.
Conclusion: A Bright Future for the ‘Virgin River’ World
Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith’s detailed responses about potential prequels and spinoffs underscore a clear vision for the future of Virgin River. The confirmed prequel focusing on Mel’s parents, set in the 1970s, is just the first step in what could become a much larger, interconnected universe. By tapping into the “rich world with rich characters” that Robyn Carr created, and by maintaining the show’s core values of romance, community, and emotional resilience, Netflix is poised to deliver even more of the beloved comfort drama that fans crave. As production continues on Season 7 and plans for expansion solidify, the residents of Virgin River, both past and present, seem set to charm audiences for years to come.
