The latest season of a beloved, long-running Netflix drama has quickly climbed to the top of the streaming charts, proving its enduring appeal. Season seven of Virgin River, which first graced our screens back in 2019, dropped this week, and it’s already captured the number one spot.
The series centres on Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge), a nurse practitioner and midwife who seeks a fresh start in the picturesque, albeit rural, town of Virgin River following the tragic loss of her husband. While many other Netflix original series have faced the chopping block over the years – think Shadow and Bone, Glow, and 1899 – Virgin River has maintained its momentum, with its seventh season launching on Thursday.
Since the release of its 10 new episodes, the romantic drama has surged through the Top 10 rankings. It’s currently outperforming other popular titles, including Morgan Freeman’s documentary The Dinosaurs, the second season of One Piece, and even Bridgerton season four, which has now slid down to the eighth position.
What’s New in Season Seven?
The new season of Virgin River continues to explore the evolving relationship between Mel and Jack (Martin Henderson), especially now that they have officially tied the knot. Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith expressed his excitement about this new chapter, stating, “I think we’ve only just begun to see Mel and Jack function as a married couple, which is exciting.” He elaborated that season seven will delve into their “honeymoon phase as they’re building their lives on the farm, which can come with its own obstacles.”
For fans who might be harbouring concerns about Mel and Jack facing potential relationship challenges or even a split, Smith offered a dose of reassurance. “I can’t imagine creating a scenario where you think Mel and Jack are going to break up,” he explained. He further commented that the writers are focused on exploring “other issues can they have in their relationship? Especially when you want to keep it through the romance lens.” He also praised the on-screen chemistry between Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson, noting, “I think Alex and Martin play all of those [moments so well]. It’s just resting on emotional stakes as opposed to will they, won’t they.”
The Enduring Charm of “Corny” and “Comforting”
Despite being labelled as “corny” and “cringey” by some critics over the years, Virgin River has cultivated a fiercely loyal fanbase who find immense comfort in its familiar tropes and charming setting. One Reddit user, brash246, shared their perspective:
“I’m someone who usually watches all the “prestige” TV shows, but I make the exception for Virgin River because despite all the cringe and corniness it really does feel like a community you wished you could belong to where people are essentially good, life mostly works out, and you get to lose yourself in the gorgeous scenery.”
They further elaborated on the show’s appeal:
“It doesn’t require deep thoughts, and it’s fun to laugh at the characters while still liking them. Even when the show is dealing with heavy topics it doesn’t feel heavy, you know? It’s very refreshing to just chill out and indulge in their small town problems while seeing what new drama will be on the horizon that requires them to resolve. All in all, an entertaining show that I hope lasts 10 seasons.”
Another fan, ImaginaryOwl_9, echoed these sentiments:
“I love Virgin River. It’s definitely cheesy and my god can you imagine how traumatised you’d be if you were Mel in real life?! Literally every time she rounds a corner, someone she loves is in a medical emergency. But the cosy, small town, beautiful scenery vibes are comforting. Also I just love cheesy shows like this. I still watch Hallmark movies when I want to completely check out of the real world. 🤭 makes me want to live in a small town so bad.”
What’s Currently Trending on Netflix UK?
The current Top 10 TV shows on Netflix in the UK demonstrate a diverse range of popular content. As of this week, the list includes:
- Virgin River
- Love Is Blind: The Reunion
- One Piece
- The Dinosaurs
- Dynasty: The Murdochs
- Amandaland
- Age of Attraction
- Bridgerton
- The Victim
- The Night Agent
A Look Ahead: More Virgin River to Come
The commitment to Virgin River extends beyond its current season. Following the wrap of production for season seven in Vancouver and Mexico, it was officially confirmed that the series has been renewed for an eighth outing.
Patrick Sean Smith expressed his gratitude, stating, “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.”
Virgin River is available for streaming now on Netflix.
