For Virgin River fans who have grown accustomed to cozy winter releases and emotional year-end reunions with Mel, Jack, and the rest of the small-town community,

the wait for Season 7 has felt unusually long—and unusually quiet. That silence has finally been broken. In a surprising and candid reveal, series star Benjamin Hollingsworth has offered

the clearest update yet on when viewers can expect the next chapter of Netflix’s beloved drama. And if his words are any indication, the wait may be longer than usual—but the payoff promises to be explosive.

During a recent appearance on FOX 5’s Good Day New York, where he was promoting his new holiday film The Christmas Ring, Hollingsworth—who plays fan-favorite bad-boy-with-a-heart Brady—casually dropped what fans have been desperate to hear. According to the actor, Virgin River Season 7 is now expected to premiere in March 2026. While Netflix has not yet officially confirmed a specific date, this is the strongest hint to emerge so far and aligns with earlier industry speculation that the show would return in the spring rather than its usual late-year window.

If accurate, this would mark a major shift for the series. Since its debut in 2019, Virgin River has delivered new seasons with impressive consistency, often becoming a comforting holiday ritual for viewers. Season 7, however, will be the first time the show skips an annual release—a change that has sparked both concern and curiosity among its loyal fanbase.

But if Hollingsworth’s teasing is anything to go by, the extra wait may be intentional—and necessary.

A Season Built on Fallout and Fracture

Hollingsworth didn’t just share timing news. He also pulled back the curtain on Brady’s emotional and financial state as Season 7 begins, painting a picture of a man at rock bottom. When viewers last saw Brady, his world had been turned upside down by Brie’s sudden engagement to Mike—a twist made even more shocking by the now-infamous bottle-cap ring. For Brady, the engagement wasn’t just a romantic blow; it was a reminder of how quickly stability can vanish in Virgin River.

As Season 7 opens, Brady is broke, bruised, and burdened by unresolved demons from his past. Hollingsworth described his character as reeling, not just from heartbreak, but from lingering trouble that refuses to stay buried. Missing money, questionable alliances, and old mistakes loom large, threatening to drag Brady back into a life he’s been desperately trying to escape.

“It’s a lot of cliffhangers,” Hollingsworth said—an understatement that immediately set social media alight. For a show that thrives on emotional tension and slow-burn drama, the promise of multiple unresolved threads suggests a season designed to keep viewers constantly on edge.

Love, Loyalty, and a Dangerous Triangle

At the heart of Brady’s turmoil is Brie, whose engagement to Mike reshapes one of Virgin River’s most emotionally charged love triangles. Brie and Brady’s relationship has always existed in a fragile space—fueled by chemistry, haunted by mistrust, and tested by Brady’s complicated past. Mike, by contrast, represents safety, stability, and a clean slate.

Season 7 appears poised to explore the consequences of Brie’s choice in depth. Is her engagement to Mike truly rooted in love, or is it a reaction to years of emotional whiplash with Brady? And more importantly, is the story truly over between Brie and Brady?

Hollingsworth’s comments hint strongly that Brady is not ready to let go. A potential fight to win Brie back looms, raising the emotional stakes for all three characters. In Virgin River, love is rarely simple—and when past wounds collide with present commitments, the fallout can be devastating.

A Break in Tradition—and a Test of Loyalty

Netflix has officially confirmed only one thing so far: Virgin River Season 7 will arrive sometime in 2026. The lack of a firm date has left fans oscillating between hope and impatience, particularly given the show’s long-standing reputation for reliability. Yet insiders suggest that the delay is less about uncertainty and more about ambition.

Season 7 reportedly picks up immediately after Season 6’s emotional finale, which saw major turning points for nearly every central character. Mel and Jack are entering a new phase of married life, Doc faces professional and personal challenges, and several secondary storylines are poised to explode. Allowing extra time for production may signal a season that is denser, darker, and more intricately woven than anything that’s come before.

It’s also worth noting that Netflix has already renewed Virgin River for Season 8—a powerful vote of confidence that suggests the streamer sees the current delay as a strategic pause, not a red flag.

Cliffhangers as a Creative Choice

The phrase “a lot of cliffhangers” has become the unofficial tagline of Season 7, and for good reason. Virgin River has always balanced comfort with chaos, offering viewers soothing scenery and heartfelt connections while quietly dropping emotional bombs along the way. Season 7 appears ready to lean harder into that duality.

Brady’s missing money storyline alone opens the door to high-stakes danger, moral compromise, and potential legal trouble. Combined with romantic uncertainty and unresolved trauma, the season is shaping up to be less about resolution and more about escalation.

For longtime fans, that may be both thrilling and nerve-wracking. Cliffhangers demand patience—and with Season 8 already on the horizon, it’s clear the writers are playing a long game.

Why the Wait Might Be Worth It

While the prospect of waiting until March 2026 may feel daunting, especially for a fandom used to yearly check-ins, the emerging details suggest Season 7 could be a turning point for the series. By allowing stories to breathe and conflicts to deepen, Virgin River has the opportunity to evolve without losing the emotional intimacy that made it a hit.

For Brady in particular, this season could redefine his trajectory. Is he destined to repeat old mistakes, or will the pain of loss finally push him toward redemption? Hollingsworth’s performance has long been praised for bringing vulnerability to a morally gray character—and Season 7 may give him the most challenging material yet.

As Netflix remains tight-lipped and fans analyze every interview for clues, one thing is clear: Virgin River is far from winding down. If anything, it’s gearing up for one of its most emotionally charged chapters ever.

March 2026 may still be months away—but with “a lot of cliffhangers” promised, the road back to Virgin River is already lined with anticipation.