Fresh on the heels of Virgin River’s fifth-season finale, showrunner Patrick Sean Smith has teased several season 6 storylines well ahead of the show’s filming dates. Virgin River season 5, part 2’s ending culminated in a cliffhanger that saw Mel Monroe’s (Alexandra Breckenridge) recently discovered biological father, Everett Reid (John Allen Nelson), dropping that he has something important to tell his long-lost child. The Christmas-set finale episodes resolved some threads, including Virgin River’s most absurd storyline (i.e. the five-season pregnancy of Lauren Hammersley’s Charmaine). However, the two-part special release also left other storylines hanging.
While Preacher (Colin Lawrence) seems to have found happiness with Virgin River’s newest resident, Kaia (Kandyse McClure), the discovery of Wes’ body threatens the couple’s bliss. It was also revealed that Brady’s (Benjamin Hollingsworth) girlfriend, the mysterious Lark (Elise Gatien), is actually playing her beau as part of a larger revenge plot. Thankfully, the series’ newest showrunner has more than just a Virgin River season 6 wishlist. Patrick Sean Smith has arcs planned out and themes he’s set on tackling in the Netflix drama’s next chapter. Best of all, Smith has been pretty candid about what Virgin River’s cast of characters will get up to in 2024.
Mel Will Deal With A “Paternal Love Triangle”
At first, it seemed like Everett — a.k.a. Virgin River’s Champ — wanted nothing to do with his long-lost daughter, Mel Monroe. Thankfully, Everett eventually shows up on her doorstep, gives Mel love letters written by her mother, and says he has something important to share. But Everett also offers to be in Mel’s life in whatever capacity feels right for her. No matter what Virgin River season 6 theories suggest about Mel’s dad and the information he’s sitting on, it’s clear that he’ll have to meet Mel’s father figure, Doc (Tim Matheson), making for a complicated “paternal love triangle,” as Smith puts it (via Deadline).
Doc Won’t Lose His Eyesight
In the Virgin River season 5, part 1 finale, Vernon “Doc” Mullins tells Hope McCrea (Annette O’Toole) that he’ll be taking part in a risky clinical trial. After being diagnosed with macular degeneration, it seemed the character would lose his eyesight in future episodes. However, Smith has confirmed that’s not Doc’s season 6 fate. In fact, both Doc and Hope will put their health challenges behind them and enjoy a much calmer, happier chapter in their shared life. “We’re getting to see Doc and Hope in a place that we haven’t really gotten to seem them before, which is healthy,” Smith says.
Ava Will Return To Virgin River In Season 6
Virgin River’s Ava, played by Libby Osler, heads to the small, Northern California town to spend more time with her family. At first, she was not a huge fan of Virgin River, preferring her Portland, Oregon lifestyle. Still, Ava bonds with Mel, becoming one of her closest friends in season 5. At the end of season 5, part 1, Ava decides to sell her family’s farm to Mel and Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson) after her sisters move south. That said, Ava’s return is not just likely, but a “must” considering her many ties to Mel.
More Time Will Be Spent On Mel & Jack’s Romance
Mel and Jack lovers may rejoice at Smith’s reveal that Virgin River season 6 will spend more time on the pair’s romance. In the Christmas episodes, Mel alludes to a future wedding, which may hint at the upcoming season’s biggest plot point. While Smith remained tight-lipped on that front, he did confirm that the two have seen enough tragedy — at least for now. “Everybody wants more Mel and Jack,” the showrunner said. Smith also confirmed that the couple’s parenthood pursuits will feature heavily in season 6, which is exciting news for fans of the show.
Virgin River Season 6 Will Feature A Time Jump
It’s been widely publicized that Virgin River season 6 will incorporate a significant time jump, though the team behind the series has remained elusive about how much time will pass between the seasons. Nonetheless, the time jump has the ability to fix Virgin River’s confusing timeline, allowing characters’ relationships to feel more natural and lived-in. Smith also mentioned that he and his team have the privilege of gauging folks’ season 5 reactions, which will allow them to “do a little bit of course correcting” in season 6. Undoubtedly, the inclusion of a time jump will help Smith smooth over those changes.
Preacher’s Wes Storyline Will Be Resolved (Finally)
Before Paige (Lexa Doig) left Virgin River behind, she had an altercation with her abusive ex-husband, Wes, which resulted in his death. Unsure of what to do, Paige called her then-boyfriend, Preacher, for help. Known as Virgin River’s good guy, Preacher didn’t leave Paige in the lurch and handled things. Of course, his kind gesture has now implicated him in Wes’ death. To make matters worse, Wes’ body has just been uncovered, which means Preacher’s fate is a little up in the air. “The intention is really to be a big test of Preacher and Kaia’s relationship,” Smith said of the Wes plot.
Muriel & Cameron’s Age Gap Will Continue To Be A Focus
Before the Christmas episodes, Muriel (Teryl Rothery) and Cameron (Mark Ghanimé) didn’t really address the age gap in their budding relationship. Despite the rushed nature of their relationship, the couple have one of Virgin River’s best romances, if only because it adds fresh intrigue to the well-worn, small-town romance formula. Muriel, a retired actress, has no interest in starting a family, while Doctor Cameron Hayek moved to Virgin River to find love and have children. While Cameron claims that a family of two is enough for him, Smith says season 6 will address if “it’s built to last or not.”
Season 5’s “Intensity” Won’t Be Matched In Future Virgin River Outings
Virgin River season 5, part 1 gave fans 10 emotional episodes. Between the underground drug trade coming to light, an intense wildfire, and a challenging miscarriage plot line, the show explored plenty of difficult topics. Although the two-part season finale, set amid the holidays, offered a little reprieve, viewers aren’t sure if that tone will last. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Smith admitted that, “[the] intention was never to have subsequent seasons match the intensity of season five.” That said, season 6 will double down on the romance.
A Brady & Brie Reunion Is Pretty Much Confirmed
Brady’s new girlfriend, Lark, is harboring quite a few secrets. For starters, her daughter, Hazel, is actually Jimmy’s kid; she’s also involved in a revenge plot that’s sure to turn Brady’s world upside-down. Meanwhile, Brady’s ex, Brie (Zibby Allen), has embarked on a new relationship with her friend-turned-lover Mike (Marco Grazzini). It’s what Smith calls “a [love] rectangle,” though plenty of viewers are hoping the mistletoe moment between Brady and Brie means the couple will rekindle their romance. Smith confirmed that they could get together again, noting that they have things to work through on their own before they can “hopefully” partner up.
Paige Won’t Return In Virgin River Season 6
Although Paige managed to leave Virgin River after her estranged husband’s death, Preacher stayed behind. Not only did he have to deal with hiding a dead body, but Preacher was forced to do so alone and heartbroken. Even though Wes’ body has been found, and even though season 6 will deal with that aftermath, Smith confirmed that Paige will not return in the upcoming chapter. “There are no plans to bring Paige back,” he said — and, all things considered, that’s probably good news for Preacher.
Pony The Dog Won’t End Up Like Tucker
One Virgin River character will probably be recast before season 6: Pony, Mel and Jack’s new puppy. The dog’s moniker stems from the fact that Mel always wanted a pony for Christmas. While he doesn’t get her a horse, Jack does present her with a puppy named Pony. However, given the disappearance of Virgin River’s previous dog, Charmaine’s Tucker, viewers are worried about Pony’s fate. Initially, Mel and Jack were supposed to adopt Tucker, but Breckenridge vetoed the idea based on the trio’s complicated dynamic (via Yahoo). Thankfully, Pony will figure prominently into Jack and Mel’s lives — even if a new canine plays him in Virgin River season 6.
