Summary
- Virgin River season 5 is confirmed and in post-production, with part one releasing on September 7th, 2023, and part two on November 30th, 2023 on Netflix.
- The core cast of Virgin River season 4 will be returning for season 5, with four new actors joining in undisclosed roles.
- The Virgin River season 4 finale set up several storylines for season 5, including Doc's grandson's illness, Jack's paternity reveal, and the truth about Vince as Jack's shooter.
Netflix's hugely successful Virgin River returned with season 4 hitting the streaming platform in July 2022, but what about the show's future, and what's the latest Virgin River season 5 news? There's a surprising amount of information out about the next installment of the Netflix show and Virgin River season 5 is confirmed and in post-production. News on the next Virgin River hasn't been a torrent, but there has been a steady stream of updates on Virgin River season 5
Whether Netflix wants to admit it or not, Virgin River is one of the most popular ongoing TV shows, amassing millions of streamed minutes and hitting the top of Netflix's chart every year. The question of it being canceled, by Netflix's usual parameters, is frankly illogical (although often persists because it's not as heavily promoted as say The Witcher). However, there are 24 Virgin River books to mine for further seasons. Given how comparatively inexpensive Virgin River is to make, the likelihood of a high number of seasons is even greater. Here's everything that's known about the latest Virgin River season 5 news.
The Latest Virgin River Season 5 News
The latest Virgin River season 5 news is quite exciting, as a trailer has been released for Part 1, revealing more details about Mel's pregnancy. Netflix quietly dropped the Virgin River season 5 trailer on August 9th, 2023, a little under a month before the Part 1 release date. Not only does the footage showcase details about Mel's pregnancy, but it also promises to focus on the starting point of Preacher's love life and gives a first look at the detrimental fire that destroys the town. With this new information, it's clear that the next season will be full of twists, turns, and drama.
Virgin River Season 5 Is Confirmed
The best Virgin River season 5 news for audiences is that the installment is confirmed to be happening, having been announced in September 2021. In fact, filming has already come and gone. While it was initially planned to kick off in March 2022, it was pushed back to July, starting on the 18th. As for the reason behind the delay, Alexandra Breckenridge revealed all when discussing her return as Sophie on This Is Us:
"They've been trying to get me to come back since I've been on Virgin River. We were supposed to start shooting season five of Virgin River in March, but it was pushed to July. So had we started when we were supposed to, I don't know that Sophie and Kevin [of This Is Us] would've ended up together."
On the back of that, Virgin River's official Instagram account revealed season 5 was taking its first steps on July 18th, 2022: "Our cast in a table read for SEASON 5.. Yes, you heard that right folks. We have now started production on SEASON 5!"
Virgin River Season 5 Release Date
It turns out that Virgin River season 5 news reporting a misstated release date in May 2023 on the Netflix Tudum site was correct — partially. The next season will premiere in two parts on Netflix, with the first Virgin River season 5 release date being Thursday, September 7th, 2023. At this point, part one will debut, including ten whole episodes. Audiences will have to wait until Thursday, November 30th, 2023 for Virgin River season 5 part two to hit the streaming giant. Part two will consist of two holiday-themed episodes to properly round off the Virgin River season 5 story.
Virgin River Season 5 Cast: Who Can Return
The Virgin River season 5 cast will see the core cast of season 4 reprising their roles, with initially the only question mark over Steve Bacic, who played both Wes and his twin brother Vince. Since Wes bit the dust at the end of Virgin River season 4, he won't be back. However, the latest Virgin River season 5 news confirms that Bacic is, at least, reprising the role of Vince. As for the rest of the cast, Virgin River season 5 will continue to include all major players:
- Martin Henderson - Jack Sheridan
- Alexandra Breckenridge - Melinda Monroe
- Tim Matheson - Dr. Vernon Mullins
- Colin Lawrence - John 'Preacher' Middleton
- Benjamin Hollingsworth - Dan Brady
- Grayson Maxwell - Gurnsey Ricky
- Annette O'Toole - Hope McCrea
- Lauren Hammersley - Charmaine Roberts
- Zibby Allen - Brie Sheridan
- Kai Bradbury - Denny Cutler
- Mark Ghanimé - Dr. Cameron Hayek
- Steve Bacic - Vince
- Gwynyth Walsh - Jo Ellen
- Sarah Dugdale - Lizzie
- Jenny Cooper - Joey Barnes
- Nicola Cavendish - Connie
- Chase Petriw - Christopher
- Marco Grazzini - Mike Valenzuela
- Teryl Rothery - Muriel
- Christina Jastrzembska - Lydie
- Trevor Lerner - Bert Gordon
- Lucia Walters - Julia
- Keith MacKechnie - Nick
- Emma Oliver - Young Mel
In addition, four new actors have been added to the Virgin River season 5 cast in undisclosed roles. Susan Hogan (DC Legends of Tomorrow) joins the cast, along with Elise Gatien (Supernatural). Kandyse McClure (Battlestar Galactica) joins the Virgin River season 5 cast, as does Paolo Maiolo (Nancy Drew). Other Virgin River season 5 news states that Netflix head of drama Jinny Howe tells Deadline that there will be more diversity in the upcoming seasons, stating, "It's definitely a priority, and I think you will see, as we expand the Virgin River community, that there will be more diversity and inclusion."
How Virgin River Season 4 Sets Up Season 5
One of the biggest revelations at the end of Virgin River season 4 that should shape the Virgin River season 5 story was the shocking reveal that Doc's grandson, Denny, has Huntington's disease, something nobody saw coming for Virgin River season 4. Tim Matheson has already revealed to Entertainment Weekly that it's impossible for Doc not to be impacted next season: "Most doctors feel like, 'I could fix this.' There's that conflict. But what's great is that Hope has invited Denny into their home, and he becomes a part of their home. Maybe even more than medical attention, being surrounded by that love is equally important as medical treatment for his illness."
On top of Denny's sad news, Jack discovered that he is the father of Mel's baby, which should shape their story in Virgin River season 5, as will the revelation that he isn't the father of Charmaine's twins. The truth of Jack's shooter was also revealed, as Vince was shown on unearthed CCTV shooting the hero. As for Vince's future, he's left unconscious (or worse) by Preacher at the culmination of the tense Christopher/Paige/Vince storyline. Since Steve Bacic is confirmed to return as Vince, it's likely he survived. So, will Preacher have to continue taking responsibility for Wes' death?
With the Virgin River season 5 news revealing the episode titles, other pieces of the overall story can be guessed. It seems like the fire that hits the community will be a multi-episode arc in season 5, with "Never Gonna Be The Same," "Trial By Fire," "From The Ashes," and "Heroes Rise" possibly being related to this plot thread. "Father Christmas" confirms that Virgin River season 5 part two will contain a holiday-themed episode. Finally, Angel's Peak is the title of the 9th Virgin River book and consequently an episode title, possibly giving insight into the installment's plot.
Virgin River Season 5 Trailer
Thankfully, Virgin River season 5 news has finally dropped a trailer for the upcoming season. The Virgin River season 5 trailer starts out with Mel and Jack affirming that the other will be a great parent, before Mel admits that her pregnancy is high-risk, and therefore takes precedence over her job. The scene then moves to see Jack telling Preacher that he'll never know when the love of his life is going to walk into the bar. After a few silly scenes at the spa, the Virgin River season 5 trailer takes a turn and shows a horrific fire that threatens the town. However, Virgin River bands together to rebuild.
Virgin River Season 5 Has A New Showrunner
The latest Virgin River season 5 news confirms that Sue Tenney is departing the series as showrunner to work on other projects. In her stead is new Virgin River showrunner Patrick Sean Smith, responsible for shows like Chasing Life, Dolly Parton's Heartstrings, and The CW's Supernatural. Smith has admitted that he was a fan of Virgin River prior to taking ownership of the show. In an interview with TVLine, Smith discussed his love of the series, as well as the cast and crew's dedication to putting on a good show. "[...] it just makes it easier for me to pick up the ball and keep running into Season 5 and beyond," Smith said.