The Virgin River universe is set to grow with an upcoming prequel, but one of the biggest questions is how the series will reintroduce fans to Mel’s parents.
Since its debut in 2019, the beloved family drama has followed the lives of the residents in a small Northern California town, primarily focusing on Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and her relationship with Jack (Martin Henderson).
The series also features Colin Lawrence, Annette O’Toole, Tim Matheson, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Sarah Dugdale, Zibby Allen, Marco Grazzini, Mark Ghanimé, and Kai Bradbury.
While Mel’s personal journey has always been central to the show, the Christmas special in Season 5 delivered a major revelation when she discovered the identity of her biological father, Everett (John Allen Nelson).
Season 6 built upon this revelation by delving into their growing relationship and providing flashbacks that showcased Everett’s first encounter with Mel’s mother, Sarah. This deeper look into their love story laid the foundation for an expanded narrative in prequel form.
“What we’re looking more in Season 6 [of Virgin River] is who Everett Reid is, what his backstory is, what his connection to Virgin River was when he met her mom, and then also what it is today,” showrunner Patrick Sean Smith explained to Deadline in December 2023, adding that the season would go into “Everett’s relationship with the town as well as with Mel.”
When Will the Virgin River Prequel Premiere on Netflix?
The spinoff is currently in development under the direction of Smith, who took over as showrunner for Virgin River in Season 5.
In December 2024, he provided an update on the project “I’m writing it as soon as I get off [the phone] with you, so we’ll see. Fingers crossed!”
What Time Period Will the Prequel Cover?
Based on the flashbacks in Season 6 of Virgin River, the prequel is expected to be set in the 1960s. Smith elaborated in his interview with Deadline, explaining his approach to making the historical setting relevant to contemporary audiences.
“That is what Virgin River itself has done beautifully—finding a balance where it isn’t too rigidly historical but still has something meaningful to say,” he noted, describing the prequel as a “romance-forward” and “character-based” addition to the Virgin River universe.
Who Will Be in the Cast?
In Virgin River Season 6, Callum Kerr portrayed the younger version of Everett, while Jessica Rothe played young Sarah. Given the setting of the prequel, it’s likely that fans will see more of characters like Bert (Trevor Lerner), Connie (Nicola Cavendish), Doc (Tim Matheson), and Hope (Annette O’Toole), among others.
Virgin River Prequel Series (Photo: Netflix)Will Robyn Carr’s Books Influence the Prequel?
Since Virgin River is based on Robyn Carr’s book series, the prequel will continue to follow the framework set by the novels.
“Each book focused on a different couple while expanding the world around them,” Smith told. “To place Sarah and Everett at the forefront of their own story, while still populating the world with supporting characters and other relationships—just as Virgin River has always done—but keeping it all centered through the lens of romance, is what really defines this expansion of the show and the franchise.”
In a separate conversation, Smith expanded on the idea, explaining why Sarah and Everett’s romance lends itself well to a prequel format.
“It felt like looking at Mel’s biological parents as a couple with this deep, epic love story—one worthy of being in a book,” he said.
“[Something] that spans time, that’s star-crossed, that includes a pregnancy, a child, and a father who wants to be part of that. It all just felt like a unique way to explore a couple through the lens of this show in a way we haven’t before.”
What Do We Know About Everett and Sarah’s Love Story?
As previously revealed in Virgin River, Mel’s mother passed away when she was 11 years old. However, it wasn’t until Season 5 that Mel uncovered the identity of her biological father.
She learned about Everett through old love letters he had written to her mother, although when they first met, Everett initially denied knowing who she was. Later, he returned with a music box containing a recording of Sarah’s voice, offering a look into their past.
“[The prequel will] expand Sarah and Everett’s story while also deepening our understanding of Virgin River’s history,” Smith explained to Us Weekly in December 2024.
He also pointed out a detail from the show’s pilot episode that has never been fully explored. “Hope mentions that the McCrae Cabin is a place known to people within a 50-mile radius. That suggests she has a family legacy tied to the area that we haven’t really dug into yet,” he noted.
According to Smith, the flashbacks in Season 6 were just the beginning of a much larger story.
“When we committed to introducing Everett, it became clear that we had an opportunity to explore a character who has lived in the area but remained somewhat isolated from the community,” he explained.
“It allowed us to introduce a new couple—something the show has done consistently over the seasons—without having to continuously integrate them into the present-day storyline.”
As Virgin River continues to expand, the prequel promises to provide a fresh perspective on the town’s history and a deeper understanding of the characters fans have come to love.