Virgin River – Picture: Netflix
Virgin River returns to Netflix globally for a fifth season in 2023. We’ve received a LOT of details about the brand new season with filming having wrapped in late 2022. Here’s the lowdown on every little thing we all know to this point about Virgin River season 5 as of April 2023.
First debuting on Netflix again in December 2019, Virgin River has quietly been one in every of Netflix’s sleeper hits, with followers across the globe having fun with the romantic drama starring Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, Colin Lawrence, and Jenny Cooper set within the quaint distant city.
For these unaware, Virgin River was given a two-season renewal order following season 3. That means we’ve recognized a few fifth season for fairly a while.
While two-season orders aren’t new, they’re uncommon.
That means that Virgin River continues to beat all the interior targets, and in line with an interview with Netflix’s head of drama, the present “has some of the most attractive economics for a TV series with a very high return on investment as it costs a lot less to make than special effect-heavy productions.”
Colin Lawrence as Preacher, Nicola Cavendish as Connie in episode 403 of Virgin River.
How effectively did Virgin River season 4 carry out on Netflix?
The present has been an enormous hit for Netflix, even when it doesn’t seize all of the headlines.
When season 4 launched, it featured in Netflix’s prime 10 hourly charts for six weeks, choosing up 304.790M hours globally between July seventeenth and August twenty eighth, 2022.
With the caveat that season 4 had an additional couple of episodes, right here’s how season 4 in comparison with season 3 over its first six weeks on the platform:
| Week in Top 10 | Season 4 | Season 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 105,440,000 | 62,580,000 |
| 2 | 87,940,000 | 87,270,000 |
| 3 | 46,930,000 | 44,890,000 |
| 4 | 29,550,000 | 28,320,000 |
| 5 | 20,470,000 | 18,840,000 |
| 6 | 14,460,000 | 13,220,000 |
As we reported in early 2022, filming on Virgin River season 5 was initially as a result of start in March 2022. That was subsequently delayed to July 2022, though even these dates had been topic to and finally did change.
The cause for the delay was unknown, however in a video put up, Alexandra Breckenridge said that she was eager on filming in the summertime, saying that Vancouver isn’t that enjoyable to movie within the winter.
Filming for Virgin River season 5 occurred between July 18th, 2022, and November seventeenth, 2022.
Writer’s Zoom name for Virgin River season 5
The official Virgin River collection account on Instagram confirmed that manufacturing is underway with a Zoom name of a desk learn for the fifth season.
The put up learn as follows:
“Our cast in a table read for SEASON 5.. Yes, you heard that right folks. We have now started production on SEASON 5! Also, please meet our lovely new Show-runner Patrick Sean Smith. We can’t WAIT for you to see what we have in store. Don’t forget though, Season 4 is only 2 days away. See you soon!!”
That desk learn featured the following forged members (suggesting they’re all signed up for the fifth season):
- Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe
- Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan
- Annette O’Toole as Hope McCrea
- Tim Matheson as Dr. Vernon Mullins
- Benjamin Hollingsworth as Dan Brady
- Zibby Allen as Brie Sheridan
- Gwynyth Walsh as Jo Ellen
- Colin Lawrence as John ‘Preacher’ Middleton
- Sarah Dugdale as Lizzie
- Jenny Cooper as Joey Barnes
- Nicola Cavendish as Connie
- Chase Petriw as Christopher
- Kai Bradbury as Denny Cutler
- Mark Ghanime as Dr. Cameron Hayek
- Marco Grazzini as Mike Valenzuela
- Teryl Rothery as Muriel
- Steve Bacic as Vince
- Christina Jastrzembska as Lydie
- Trevor Lerner as Bert Gordon
- Lucia Walters as Julia
- Keith MacKechnie as Nick
- Emma Oliver as Young Mel
For extra on the place Virgin River movies, take a look at our filming information for the present right here.
We’re advised that Virgin River season 5 could have an episode price range of between $3 and $5 million per episode, which means that season 5 may value Netflix as much as $60 million when all is alleged and completed.
Some BTS of #VirginRiver season 5 presently filming! pic.twitter.com/KbbyGECYyw
— What’s on Netflix (@whatonnetflix) September 3, 2022
Filming was then confirmed to have wrapped on November twenty first, 2022, with the official Instagram account posting a video of the forged celebrating their wrap.
Filming has wrapped on Virgin River season 5! pic.twitter.com/Uv20EzY76T
— What’s on Netflix (@whatonnetflix) November 22, 2022
The largest information going into season 5 is that Sue Tenney is being changed as showrunner by Patrick Sean Smith. Tenney is shifting on to work on different initiatives.
Smith is notably recognized for engaged on The CW’s Supernatural, ABC Family’s Chasing Life, and most not too long ago writing the episode Jolene on Netflix’s restricted collection Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, serving as govt producer and showrunner.
Patrick Sean Smith with Dolly Parton – Picture: Twitter
Speaking to Glamour Magazine, Smith teased the upcoming fifth season, saying:
“We get into things that will be new and exciting, but still very much feel like the same show, but are definitely taking a more exciting approach to some of the stories. A little bit louder, but not to the detriment of the comfort of the show. I want it to feel like season five will be next-level.”
Also, chatting with TVLine, Smith defined he was a fan of the collection earlier than taking on the reins, saying:
“I was already a fan, and I was super excited when they came to me with the possibility. The cast cares so much about the show and the fans, and they want to put on the best show possible. I think they’ve done that for the past four seasons, so it just makes it easier for me to pick up the ball and keep running into Season 5 and beyond.”
Thanks to manufacturing listings, we all know who can be directing episodes within the fifth season of Virgin River:
- Monika Mitchell will direct a few early episodes. Mitchell has beforehand directed episodes in season 3, together with Take My Breath Away, Spare Parts, and Broken Hearts.
- Felipe Rodriguez will make his directorial debut on Virgin River for season 5. The director has labored on exhibits like Hudson & Rex, The Good Doctor, Blood and Water, and Ruby and the Well.
- Martin Wood has directed 15 episodes within the collection to this point and can be returning.
- Jem Garrard will make her Virgin River debut in season 5. She has beforehand directed on Motherland: Fort Salem, Wynonna Earp, and Charmed.
- Andy Mikita is one other returning director for season 5. Has additionally labored on Travelers, Motive, and Family Law.
- Gail Harvey is anticipated to return as a director on Virgin River, including to her six credit so far.
Dan Payne as Nate, Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan in episode 408 of Virgin River. Cr. Courtesy Of Netflix
As for writers, right here’s who can be writing episodes all through season 5:
- Episode 501 – Written by Patrick S. Smith
- Episode 502 – Song Bird – Written by Jackson Sinder
- Episode 503 – Calculated Risk – Written by Talia Gonzalez
- Episode 504 – Never Gonna Be the Same – Written by Tesia Joy Walker
- Episode 505 – Written by Erin Cardillo & Richard Keith
- Episode 506 – Written by Thomas Ian Griffith & Mary Page Keller
- Episode 507 – Written by Talia Gonzalez and Erin Cardillo & Richard Keith
- Episode 508 – Written by John Lowe
- Episode 509 – Written by Ildiko Susany
- Episode 510 – Written by Jackson Sinder & Tesia Joy Walker
- Episode 511 – Written by Erin Cardillo & Richard Keith
- Episode 512 – Written by Erin Cardillo & Richard Keith
Kandyse McClure – Picture: MN2S
In October 2022, What’s on Netflix completely confirmed the truth that Kandyse McClure had joined the forged for season 5 in a yet-to-be-revealed position. McClure beforehand starred in Netflix’s V-Wars and Battlestar Galactica.
Also becoming a member of the forged for season 5 are three new faces we confirmed in November 2022.
They embody:
- Susan Hogan (Legends of Tomorrow)
- Elise Gatien (Supernatural)
- Paolo Maiolo (Supernatural)
No character names have been revealed, as they’re reportedly thought of spoilers.
Pictured: Susan Hogan, Elise Gatien, and Paolo Maiolo
Rounding out the forged in minor/recurring roles for season 5 contains:
- David Stuart as Reporter Ted Ford
- Audré Alleya Stephenson
- Melanie Merkosky
- Brent Fidler
- Serge Houde
- Helenna Santos
- Gabrielle Jacinto
Until season 4, all seasons of Virgin River had run at round ten episodes a bit.
Season 4, nevertheless, was given an expanded 12-episode season, and we’ve now discovered, because of a dwell stream from Alexandra Breckenridge, that it’ll as soon as once more be an expanded 12-episode fifth season once more.
This expanded episode rely has been confirmed once more by the brand new showrunner.
Note: This part was written by the Virgin River Twitter account VRPassionate.
It wouldn’t be Virgin River if season 4 didn’t finish on a cliffhanger.
Burning Questions for Virgin River season 5
At the tip of the season, Charmaine is in extreme ache and afraid of dropping her twins and confessing to Jack and Mel that the 2 boys aren’t truly his.
This will certainly be one of many fundamental and most essential questions for season 5.
While talking with Glamour Magazine, Henderson and Breckenridge confessed they know the twins’ paternity, which might simply imply the dual’s father is a member of the present forged.
The fundamental “suspects” are Brady, Mike, and Dr. Cameron.
Mel and Jack, essentially the most beloved couple of the present, will proceed to have a significant position in season 5. The upcoming season ought to observe them, specializing in their relationship, household, and new child woman.
Alexandra Breckenridge teased a heavier season going into season 5, in line with New Beauty, saying:
“I think this season has started out well and we’re getting into a few episodes soon that are pretty heavy. They’re really intense and I think that they’re some of the best episodes we’ve ever done. I never say that either! I think that there’s a high sense of drama that starts to come up this season that it’s going to leave people on the edge of their seats. At least, I hope. I’m excited to get into that.”
Picture: Netflix
Virgin River’s mayor Hope will proceed recovering with the assistance of Lizzie and, hopefully, get again to her mayoral duties and solidify her friendship with Muriel.
Brie revealed her rape to Brady and whereas going through her former boyfriend-rapist Don, she determined to report her sexual assault and take him to courtroom. The new season may concentrate on Brie’s trial and her disclosing her assault to Jack.
We left Preacher and Paige in a cabin with Vince unconscious on the ground so we is perhaps saying goodbye to Paige for good subsequent season. That’s primarily as a result of Julia, a brand new love curiosity for Preacher, has been launched in season 4, and there’s little proof there’s room for a love triangle.
Picture: Netflix
Doc’s grandson Danny revealed to Lizzie he doesn’t wish to get romantically concerned along with her as a result of he has been identified with Huntington’s illness. This uncommon illness causes the progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells within the mind.
Next season each Lizzie and Doc must face Denny’s sickness. Lizzie, who has matured immensely throughout season 4, must determine if she needs to pursue a relationship with Danny regardless of his illness or if she nonetheless has emotions for Ricky, who, despite the fact that she left for the marine boot camp in San Diego, received’t in all probability steer clear of Virgin River for too lengthy.
One behind-the-scenes shot launched in October 2022 means that Jack and Mel can be celebrating in one of many episodes, and one other suggests we could also be getting a festive episode.
BTS of Virgin River season 5. Is this their wedding ceremony?!💞💞💞 #VirginRiver #Netflix pic.twitter.com/vpZCriEjlP
— VirginRiverFan (@VirginRiverFan1) October 3, 2022
Lots of latest and returning characters
In an interview with Deadline, Netflix’s head of drama, Jinny Howe, touched on how the collection will change going into the fifth season.
She advised the Hollywood commerce website:
“I think what’s going to be interesting is to see this universe continue to grow and expand and to see new characters, other characters return. A lot of that was set up in the Season 4 finale but it’s going to be really exciting to see all of that come to a head in Season 5. And some of the soap that’s going to come out of these new complex tensions and triangles.”
More Diversity and LGBTQ Inclusion in Virgin River season 5
Finally, Breckenridge disclosed in her interview with Glamour that the brand new showrunner, writers, and administrators will convey extra LGBTQ+ tales to create extra inclusivity within the present. Breckenridge has been extraordinarily vocal about extra range in Virgin River for the reason that starting.
No launch date or window has been set for the fifth season of Virgin River on Netflix.
Since manufacturing concluded in November 2022, we may see season 5 of Virgin River on Netflix as quickly as summer season 2023.
Some of the forged members in February 2023 expressed {that a} July 2023 launch date might be seemingly.
Picture: Netflix
The present is just presently renewed by means of to the tip of season 5, however there’s extra on the playing cards, in line with these within the know.
In the aforementioned interview with Netflix’s head of drama, Howe advised Deadline that we’ll “definitely see more longevity and growth with the show,” including:
“As long as the audience asks for it and shows up — and I think we see with Season 4 that the fandom is very strong and growing in many places as well — it feels like based on what we’re seeing with Season 4 and the anticipation for Season 5 that there is a lot more storytelling to offer us. It will be exciting to see which characters continue to break out and audiences crave more of; we’re paying very close attention, understanding that this is a really rich universe of characters and that people can’t seem to get enough, myself included. So I think as long as that continues to be the case — which we’re very hopeful for — you can rest assured that there will be more Virgin River.”
Picture: Netflix
Thanks to @VRPassionate on Twitter for serving to supply and compile a number of the info for this text.
Are you wanting ahead to watching Virgin River season 5 on Netflix? Let us know within the feedback down beneath.