Gather the sewing circle, because there’s major Virgin River news to celebrate: the series is returning for Season 8, currently in production!

“On behalf of myself and the whole Virgin River family, we’re eternally grateful to Netflix and to the fans for allowing us to continue on this journey with these beloved characters,” showrunner Patrick Sean Smith told Tudum at the time of the series’ renewal, announced as Season 7 wrapped production in Vancouver and Mexico.

Virgin River follows nurse practitioner Mel Sheridan (Alexandra Breckenridge) as she moves from the big city to the picturesque titular Northern California town — and falls in love with a rough-around-the-edges bartender, Jack (Martin Henderson). In the Season 6 finale, the happy couple had finally tied the knot and were ready to experience life as newlyweds. Now that Season 7 is streaming, it’s time to start thinking about what’s in store for Mel, Jack, and the rest of the beloved small-town characters in Season 8.

Is Virgin River Season 8 currently filming?

Yes, Virgin River Season 8 is currently in production! A newly shared photo shows Breckenridge and Henderson back together on set, confirming filming is underway. As the story continues, Henderson will also step behind the camera to direct.

What will happen in Virgin River Season 8?

At the end of Season 7, Mel says the words she’s been longing to say for years. “I’m his mother,” she tells the paramedics as she steps into the ambulance transporting her newborn son to the NICU. 

Star Breckenridge has been waiting for Season 8’s storyline for a long time. “I am excited to see Mel as a mother,” she tells Tudum. “I think we’ve anticipated that moment for far too long. It should be sweet. I’m sure it’ll be harder than she thinks it’s going to be.” 

Born with a heart issue, the child Mel and her husband, Jack, have wanted for so long is now under the care of one of the world’s leading pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons — who also happens to be Mel’s ex, Eli (Austin Nichols).

Smith tells Tudum that Season 8 will focus on “the challenges that raising a child with special physical needs puts on their marriage and how challenging it is to be new parents, much less new parents in such a high-stakes situation.”

Most importantly, says Breckenridge, she hopes the stresses of parenthood don’t overwhelm the couple. “I’m hoping that at some point they get to some kind of normalcy,” she says. “I’d love for Mel to be doing some gardening and cooking.”

When is the Virgin River Season 8 release date?

Season 8 will consist of 10 episodes — although you’re going to have to wait a bit longer for those to hit Netflix, considering Season 7 just debuted. But look on the bright side: That’s 10 new episodes of Virgin River to devour and discuss with your own sewing circle. Virgin River is one of Netflix’s longest-running series.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on Virgin River Season 8, and click here to learn more about what happened in Season 7.

The Cast of Virgin River Is Thankful for the FansYou'll always have a special place in Virgin River.