howrunner Patrick Sean Smith has confirmed that two Virgin River stars will not be returning for season eight. Currently on its seventh season, the long-running Netflix drama has been renewed for a further instalment, but when production commences in Vancouver next month, Lauren Hammersley and Marco Grazzini will not be a part of it. Confirming the news, Patrick stated that the actors who portray Charmaine Roberts and Mike Valenzuela, respectively, are not slated to appear.

© Netflix
Marco Grazzini will not appear in season eight but could still return in future episodes

Speaking about Marco, who joined the show as a recurring character in season two, showrunner Patrick told Deadline, “He’s not coming back for Season 8”, adding: “Mike probably will be on the back burner for a little while until we have something we’ve written.” Clarifying that detective Mike won’t be gone forever, Patrick raved: “I love Marco and could see his character coming back in a more substantive role if the creative is right.”

WATCH: Virgin River season seven trailer

Likewise, Patrick explained that while Lauren – who has been on the show since season one – won’t be back, he wouldn’t rule out a return for Charmaine. “No plans for Charmaine to be back in Season 8 but that’s not to say, when the right time comes, I’d love to bring the character back for something other than more cliffhangers and more lies on pregnancies,” he said.

© Netflix
Lauren Hammersley will not return for the next instalment

In the meantime, the writer and producer isn’t planning on introducing any major cast shakeups.  “For me, I’m just trying to look to the longevity of the show and making sure that the characters that we’re keeping have enough story engine in them to keep going,” Patrick noted. “So I can’t say there are any specific cast shakeups planned, but I think we will have to start to — as characters run their course — make some decisions and bring in some new blood.”

© Courtesy of Netflix
Season eight of Virgin River is expected to enter production in April

What we do know, however, is that One Tree Hill alum Austin Nicholls will reprise his role as Eli, Mel’s old colleague from Nurses Without Borders. A release date for the next chapter has yet to be determined; however, the cast and crew of Virgin River have revealed that there will be a four-month time between the season seven finale and the season eight premiere. Future plot lines have also been revealed, but rest assured, you won’t find any spoilers here; we won’t ruin season seven’s ending before you’ve had a chance to binge the whole thing. Although we have a feeling that it won’t take long!