Virgin River season 5 contains shocking new relationships, a surprising break-up, a tricky court trial, a terrible fire, and much more.
And not only that but season 6 has also been confirmed ahead of season 5's premiere this Autumn. [Warning contains spoilers for season 4].
The hit romantic drama follows Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), a nurse practitioner who packs her bags and leaves Los Angeles behind for a fresh start in the titular sleepy town where she unexpectedly falls in love with Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson).
Despite the idyllic exterior, Virgin River still manages to pack in plenty of small-scale drama and season 4 was no different.
The series was an emotional rollercoaster, with Charmaine (Lauren Hammersley) dropping some huge baby daddy drama about her twins, Mel and Jack's pregnancy palaver and an unexpected newcomer in the form of Doc's grandson.
Now, fans want to know more about Virgin River season 5 and if it'll answer their burning questions, including who is the father of Charmaine's twins?
Here's everything we know including plot spoilers and new pictures...
Virgin River season 5 release date
Virgin River season 5 Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix after landing on Thursday, September 7, 2023. Meanwhile, Part 2, which is two holiday episodes, arrives on Thursday, November 30.
The official Virgin River Instagram account posted the announcement with the caption: "The moment you’ve ALL been waiting for … Drumroll please. Virgin River season 5 will be streaming on Netflix September 7th! I repeat, September 7th! Better yet… There will be a part two 😉. Our HOLIDAY episodes will be released on November 30th. Get excited y’all."
The Virgin River cast announced the exciting news that they had wrapped filming for season 5 back in November 2022.
Actor Mark Ghanimé, who plays newcomer Dr. Cameron Hayek in the series hinted at what's to come for season 5, teasing that there's "something special in store" as he revealed he had finished filming.
He shared a behind-the-scenes picture of his character smiling on-camera with the caption: "That’s a season wrap for #DrCameronHayek on @virginriverseries! I had such a lovely time once again and built some more solid friendships along the way, @kaibury @themarcograzzini @trevorlerner and plenty of tennis 🎾 with @dominicdobrzensky on our off days!
"Boy oh boy @patrickseansmith and the team have something special in store. Can’t wait for you all to see what the town and the good doctor have coming for you! Might be some 🩺 some 🌶🔥 and a couple firsts for me as an actor too! 😬😅Cameron looks happy here, doesn’t he? Any guesses why?"
Last season, fans blasted Dr. Cameron as his arrival threatened Mel and Jack's relationship when he showed interest in Mel. Could season 5 see Dr. Cameron cause problems for the fan-favorite couple's engagement?
Virgin River season 5 episode recaps
If you're wanting to know what went on in Virgin River season 5 part 1, you can take a look at our episode recaps which do contain spoilers.
- Virgin River season 5 episode 1 recap
- Virgin River season 5 episode 2 recap
- Virgin River season 5 episode 3 recap
- Virgin River season 5 episode 4 recap
- Virgin River season 5 episode 5 recap
- Virgin River season 5 episode 6 recap
- Virgin River season 5 episode 7 recap
- Virgin River season 5 episode 8 recap
- Virgin River season 5 episode 9 recap
- Virgin River season 5 ending explained and episode 10 recap
Virgin River season 5 preview
Tudum shared a sneak peek clip of the first 11 minutes of Virgin River season 5.
There are certainly a lot of shocking revelations in the preview clip, which gives much-needed answers to some of season 4's biggest cliffhangers.
Writer and producer Erin Cardillo told Tudum on the Virgin River set in 2022: “We answer the questions and then we add a bunch more." Meanwhile, fellow writer and producer Richard Keith also joked: “That’s the golden rule of TV!”
Virgin River season 5 trailer
On August 9, Netflix finally released the trailer for the new season with the caption: "Mel adjusts to a different pace of life, Jack works to grow his business, and the town faces new threats as secrets begin to surface in Virgin River."
Take a look at the exciting clip below...
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the trailer for Virgin River season 5 part 2, with the final two episodes set to arrive in November.
Lauren Hammersley, who plays Charmaine shared the first trailer on her Instagram...
Virgin River season 5 first look images
In first look images of season 5, Jack and Mel's romance seems to be going strong despite some bombshells from season 4.
However, all doesn't seem well in the sleepy town as an image shows Mayor Hope McCrea (Annette O'Toole) and John 'Preacher' Middleton (Colin Lawrence) looking at a blazing fire as it destroys the surrounding forest.
And could their be romance on the cards between Dr. Cameron and Muriel St. Claire (Teryl Rothery)?
Here are some more first look images teasing at what's to come...
Virgin River season 5 cast
Returning are: Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe, Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan, Tim Matheson as Doc Mullins, Annette O'Toole as Hope McCrea, Benjamin Hollingsworth as Brady, Sarah Dugdale as Lizzie, Colin Lawrence as John "Preacher" Middleton, Zibby Allen as Brie Sheridan, Jenny Cooper as Joey Barnes and Lauren Hammersley as Charmaine Roberts.
Also reprising their roles are Marco Grazzini as Mike Valenzuela, Kai Bradbury as Denny Cutler, Mark Ghanimé as Dr. Cameron Hayek, Teryl Rothery as Muriel, Nicola Cavendish as Connie, Gwynyth Walsh as Jo Ellen, Stacey Farber as Tara Anderson, Chase Petriw as Christopher and Barbara Pollard as Melissa Montgomery.
According to What’s on Netflix, four new cast members have joined Virgin River season 5. Susan Hogan (Liar, Liar), Elise Gatien (Tower Prep), Paolo Maiolo (Nancy Drew) and Kandyse McClure (Hemlock Grove) will be appearing in season 5, but details on their characters have not yet been shared.
Netflix also confirmed to What's on Netflix that more stars have been added to the cast in possible smaller roles, including: Gabrielle Rose, John Allen Nelson, Deb Podowski, Ava Anton as Hazel, David Stuart as Reporter Ted Ford, Melanie Merkosky, Brent Fidler, Brad Harder as Adrian, Serge Houde, Helenna Santos, Gabrielle Jacinto as Nurse Jill, and Audré Alleya Stephenson. Their roles have not been disclosed.
Head of drama Jimmy Howe revealed to Deadline that there will be "more diversity and inclusion" in season 5.
He said: "Without getting specific, I will say that that continues to be a focus. Some of our early casting conversations for Season 5, I think it’s fair to say that that is going to continue to be a focus and something the audience will get to experience more in Season 5.
"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.”
We do know that Patrick Sean Smith will be replacing showrunner Sue Tenney for the fifth season, whose notable work includes Supernatural, Chasing Life and Dolly Parton's Heartstrings.
If you can't wait until season 5 to see your favorites on your screen again, you can check out our other article where else can I watch the Virgin River cast?
Virgin River season 5 plot
Netflix has teased that we will see heaps of drama including surprising new relationships, a shocking break-up, and a terrifying wildfire that threatens to burn down the town.
As for our beloved couple, Mel and Jack finally got engaged following the discovery that Jack was the father of Mel's unborn baby. So hopefully we'll see their wedding in season 5. Netflix has teased that Jack will face his own demons... and Charmaine! While Mel's pregnancy will apparently spark an emotional link to her past.
In short, it sounds like season 5 will unearth some secrets and get the answers we've been waiting for.
The official Netflix synopsis reads: "Season Five of Virgin River features surprising new relationships, a shocking break-up, a difficult court trial, a heartbreaking goodbye, and a wildfire that threatens the town, bringing some people of Virgin River together while tearing others apart. Issues of motherhood push Mel to make a big decision about her future at the clinic while her pregnancy unexpectedly sparks an emotional connection to her past.
"To further prove himself to Mel, Jack squares off with some long-overdue confrontations — with his own demons, and of course, Charmaine. And as Doc and Hope’s respective impairments throw their identities into question, the doctor and the mayor must find solace in their community, in their young new family, and in each other."
Martin also teased some exciting season 5 details to Glamour revealing that: "The baby stuff gets really interesting. Obviously, I’m speaking without having read any of those actual scripts, but we’ve got some really nice…a lot of stuff gets wrapped up and then there’s a whole bunch of new beginnings, new story lines.
"I can’t give too much away. I know someone might move away. Someone might leave."
However, showrunner Patrick Sean Smith hinted that we may or may not get to find out who the father of Charmaine's twins are in season 5 as he doesn't want to waste the huge cliff-hanger.
Talking to Entertainment Weekly, he said: "In season 5, it's such a great mystery. That's what was so interesting when I watched it, and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe it.'
"And I was like, 'Well, what do I do with that? What's the best way to use that big twist?' But then also do what the show does so well, which is carry mysteries for multiple seasons and questions and keep the audience guessing.
"So, I can't say it will be in 5, and I can't say it won't. But it's definitely something that I would rather hold off on and not waste. Because it's that good."
Alexandra also hinted at what's to come for season five, teasing to New Beauty that: "I think this season has started out well, and we're getting into a few episodes soon that are pretty heavy. They're really intense and I think that they're some of the best episodes we've ever done. I never say that either!"
She added: "I think that there's a high sense of drama that starts to come up this season that it's going to leave people on the edge of their seats. At least, I hope. I'm excited to get into that."
We could also seen an appearance from Jack's ex wife Mandy in season five, who we've heard about but haven't met — yet?
Speaking to Glamour, showrunner Patrick Sean Smith said: "I would say, check out season five and see if Mandy makes an appearance."
Annette O'Toole, who plays Hope, also teased the "heaviness" of the season in an interview with Hello! as she revealed: "There is a big thing that happens right in the middle of the season that brings the community together in a very big way and it's a kind of timely topic that's happening in our country and I'm really glad that they're going there."
How many episodes will Virgin River season 5 have?
Virgin River season 5 will have 12 episodes, with Part 1 containing 10 episodes and Part 2 containing 2.
