For the first time since its debut, Virgin River fans are closing out a full year without a new season. The beloved romantic drama has released new episodes annually since 2019 — until now.
Early in 2025, there was still hope that Season 7 might arrive before year’s end. Alexandra Breckenridge even suggested a 2025 release was possible. But as production schedules shifted, she later admitted Netflix would be wiser to hold the series until 2026. That’s exactly what happened.
No Surprise Drop — Season 7 Officially Pushed to 2026
Netflix’s full December 2025 lineup confirms what many suspected: Virgin River season 7 is nowhere to be found. And with the streamer already deep into year-end releases, a surprise drop is officially off the table.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has confirmed a 2026 premiere, though an exact date hasn’t been announced. Cast member Ben Hollingsworth has hinted at a March 2026 debut — the earliest prediction so far.
Why Netflix Is Holding Season 7
The delay isn’t random. With Stranger Things season 5 dominating November through New Year’s, Netflix is giving its biggest franchise the spotlight. Other major releases — including The Abandons (Dec. 4) and Emily in Paris season 5 (Dec. 18) — already fill out the calendar.
Dropping Virgin River now would bury one of Netflix’s most reliable hits. Instead, the streamer appears to be saving the series to help kick off 2026.
The Good News
While the wait is frustrating, fans won’t be waiting long into 2026 for new episodes. And even better — Virgin River has already been renewed for season 8, which is expected to begin filming in early 2026.
More updates are expected soon, possibly even before the end of the year. Stay tuned!
