Annette O’Toole, who brought humor to Virgin River, has died md20

With Virgin River’s renewal for an eighth season, it has set an awe-inspiring Netflix record. The show was renewed for season 8 prior to the release of Virgin River season 7, which is expected to arrive in Q4 2025. With the show’s tremendous success, Netflix continues to put faith in the long-running series, renewing it before season 7’s premiere.

With Virgin River officially renewed for eight seasons (via Deadline), it’s now the longest-running scripted Netflix original series. It has surpassed the comedy show Grace and Frankie, as well as the dramedy Orange Is the New Black, both of which have seven seasons. The Spanish teen drama Elite has eight seasons, but Virgin River has more total episodes.

Virgin River stars Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, Tim Matheson, and Annette O’Toole, and it’s been regarded as one of the streaming platform’s easy-to-consume comfort shows. While not an awards juggernaut like Squid Game or Adolescence, it’s found a critical role as one of the platform’s more reliable annual releases.

What Virgin River’s Netflix Record Means

Virgin River’s Longevity Speaks To The Value Of Annual TV Releases

Virgin River has been a Netflix hit since premiering in 2019, and the show is already awaiting its seventh season. Meanwhile, Stranger Things is one of the platform’s biggest shows, but has only produced four seasons since 2016. Both titles have their merits, but it’s easier for Virgin River to maintain momentum with a reliable schedule.

Stranger Things’ irregular release plan allows it to be a major event each time around, but Virgin River’s steady, annual episode drops provide a familiar experience to traditional network television. This has enabled the show to continue for so many seasons without a notable decline in viewership.

Virgin River isn’t as extravagant as other shows on the platform, but the season 8 renewal is proof that consistency is still a valuable element in the entertainment industry. There’s a significant pool of audiences who want a beloved TV series to come around at the same time every year.

Our Take On Virgin River’s Netflix Record

Virgin River Has Set An Impressive Record

Virgin River might not be winning Emmys or revolutionizing the television industry with groundbreaking material, but being the longest-running Netflix original is certainly something to be acknowledged. This is an incredible accomplishment, underscoring the significant growth Netflix has undergone as a brand since its inception in releasing original content.

With eight seasons planned, I’ll be curious to see how long the show lasts. In the streaming era, it’s become increasingly rare for a TV series to hit double-digit seasons, so maybe that will be Virgin River’s next goal.