The *Virgin River* prequel, currently in development, focuses on the 1970s love story of Mel Monroe’s parents, Sarah Jensen and Everett Reed, played by Jessica Rothe and Callum Kerr. Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith introduced the characters in Season 6 flashbacks, which dropped on Netflix on December 19, 2024, as a potential backdoor pilot. Smith has emphasized the duo’s electric chemistry, describing their casting as hitting “gold,” and aims to explore not just their romance but also the origins of the town of Virgin River during that era. The prequel, likened to *Queen Charlotte* in the *Bridgerton* universe, will maintain the franchise’s romance-forward lens while delving into the period’s social issues, like Sarah’s activism against traditional gender roles.
Fan reactions are mixed. Some are excited for the expansion, appreciating Rothe and Kerr’s performances—Rothe as the free-spirited activist Sarah and Kerr as the bohemian musician Everett. Others, however, feel the prequel is unnecessary, preferring stories about other characters like Doc or Hope, with some calling the flashbacks unengaging. The main series, based on Robyn Carr’s novels, has been a hit since 2019, already renewed for a seventh season, and this prequel aims to deepen its universe, though no official release date or full cast confirmation has been set beyond Rothe and Kerr.
John Allen Nelson as Everett Reed Courtesy of Netflix
While Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) lost her mother at a young age, her biological father made a surprise appearance in the Virgin River Christmas special. Mel embarked on a journey to find him, only to discover he had been living in Virgin River all along. John Allen Nelson portrays Everett in the present day, and from the moment he was cast, the creators knew they wanted to explore more of their complex relationship.
“He was in just two scenes, and he was perfect,” Smith shared. While Season 6 was always set to center on Mel and Jack’s (Martin Henderson) long-awaited wedding, it also delves into Mel’s evolving bond with her father, all while she juggles wedding plans.
Since its debut in 2019, Virgin River has already been renewed for a seventh season. The drama, based on Robyn Carr’s bestselling novels, was originally developed by Sue Tenney, who served as showrunner until Smith took over in Season 5.
