New and familiar faces are popping up in the latest installment of Virgin River.
Season 7 of the Netflix original series, based on the books by Robyn Carr, premiered on March 12. The previous run ended with the show’s central couple, Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson), finally tying the knot.
“I think we’ve only just begun to see Mel and Jack function as a married couple, which is exciting,” showrunner Patrick Sean Smith told Tudum, adding that the new episodes will “explore the honeymoon phase for them as they’re building their lives on the farm, which can come with its own obstacles.”
The season 6 finale focused on Mel and Jack’s big day, but now, the residents of the Northern California town are welcoming new characters, who bring along some fresh drama.
So, with season 7 of Virgin River now on Netflix, here’s a guide to the new characters and how they fit into the world of Virgin River.
Sara Canning as Victoria
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Sara Canning joins the cast as Victoria, who is a former police officer. After she was shot in the line of duty, Victoria shifted her career to be an investigator for the state medical board.
She comes to Virgin River to probe the practice run by Vernon “Doc” Mullins (Tim Matheson). In the process, though, Victoria ends up running into someone from her past.
“This character starts out really dry and by the book, but over the course of the season, as she’s questioning Doc’s ethics, she’s really starting to see what’s special about him as a doctor,” Smith teased to Tudum. “As well as the importance of the clinic to Virgin River.”
Canning is a new addition to Virgin River, but the actress is known for her roles in Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, and playing Aunt Jenna on multiple seasons of The Vampire Diaries.
Cody Kearsley as Clay
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Cody Kearsley portrays Clay, a rugged and mysterious man who runs with the rodeo crowd. In the new season, he’s hired as a ranch hand to help Jack with his farm.
Clay is inspired by a character from the Virgin River book series, and he is someone who seems like an honorable and good guy, but as Smith told Tudum, Clay “of course has a secret past, as everyone does in Virgin River.”
Prior to Virgin River, Kearsley was known for his role as Moose Mason on Riverdale.
Matty Finochio as Tony
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Matty Finochio plays Tony, the temporary assistant to Hope (Annette O’Toole), who is helping while Lizzie (Sarah Dugdale) is out on maternity leave.
His character is introduced in season 7, but Smith is already looking ahead to season 8, telling Deadline that he “would love to have him back.”
“He was such a breath of fresh air and so funny and just a nice energy, especially up against Hope, that would want to squander that and not revisit again,” Smith said to the outlet.
Finochio previously appeared in Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and the 2025 horror hit Final Destination: Bloodlines.
Austin Nichols as Eli
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Austin Nichols portrays Eli, a doctor who worked alongside Mel during her time with Nurses Without Borders.
According to Smith, Eli was Mel’s “first love,” and is someone viewers learn more about through flashbacks, per Tudum.
In a June 2025 Instagram video, Nichols hinted at joining the Virgin River cast, saying, “Hey guys, I just landed in Virgin Ri… I mean, Vancouver. Starting a new job,” he continued, while winking to the camera, “and I can’t wait for you guys to see it.”
Nichols has appeared in various TV series over his career, including One Tree Hill, The Walking Dead, Bates Motel and more. He was also part of the cast of 2025’s I Know What You Did Last Summer.