New images from Virgin River season 6 reveal the first look at Mel’s parents. Netflix’s popular romantic drama, which is based on the Robyn Carr novels and showrun by Patrick Sean Smith, follows Alexandra Breckenridge in the role of Melinda “Mel” Monroe. Virgin River season 6 will deepen the focus on the central character, with Mel and Jack (Martin Henderson) set to marry. But it’s also been confirmed that flashbacks will feature Mel’s parents.
Deadline has now shared the first images of the upcoming flashback episode in Virgin River season 6, revealing the actors that will be portraying Mel’s parents. Mel’s late mother Sarah will be played by Happy Death Day star Jessica Rothe. Everett, Mel’s father, will be played by Hollyoaks alum George Kerr. The duo are seen laughing during a car ride, and having a conversation with an unseen third character. The flashback, which will be the second episode of season 6, comes as Netflix is considering a prequel around Mel’s parents.
How The Potential Virgin River Prequel Will Work
It’ll Be Set In The 1970s
The potential prequel is described as an origin story of Mel’s parents. It takes place in 1972, with Rothe playing Sarah as a free spirit from the big city. The character is described as having a passion for activism and wanting to avoid the conventional life that’s expected of young women in the 1970s. Sarah makes a connection with Everett, and it’s teased that the two might be star-crossed soulmates.
Everett is played in the main Virgin River series by John Allen Nelson. In the prequel, the character is described as a “singer-songwriter with a poet’s soul.” Although he hasn’t broken through as a musician, his path is altered by a chance meeting with the hitchhiking Sarah. The more recent version of Kerr was introduced before the end of Virgin River season 5, in a Christmas episode, but Sarah has not had a meaningful presence in the main series up to this point.
Our Take On Virgin River’s Potential Prequel
It Reinforces The Show’s Quiet Success
Although it may not generate the same level of headlines as Wednesday or Bridgerton, likely due to a premise focused on everyday personal drama and growth, Virgin River is a big hit for Netflix. Some of its outings have garnered billions of minutes viewed, according to Nielsen’s streaming viewership data. Given this, it’s no surprise that the streamer is leaning on a prequel with hopes of expanding the show’s purview. The flashback even features heavily in the season 6 logline, which is included below:
“Against the backdrop of Mel and Jack’s romantic spring wedding season, this sixth installment promises fresh twists and turns, escalating love triangles, delightful wedding drama, as well as uncovered secrets from Mel’s father’s past which will transport us to the magic and mystique of Virgin River in the 1970s.”
Virgin River has a large cast, with several credited regulars. A flashback episode offers the chance for the romantic drama adaptation to step back and narrow its focus. Whether the flashback actually evolves into a separate prequel or not, Rothe and Kerr both have other high-profile projects coming up at Netflix. Kerr will play Smoker in the live-action One Piece, while Rothe is part of the medical drama Pulse from Lost executive producer Carlton Cuse.
