Will There Be A Virgin River Prequel? Here's What Director Has To Say

Virgin River Season 6 has brought viewers into a new chapter with flashbacks featuring Mel's late mother, Sarah, and her biological father, Everett. The storyline has sparked excitement about a potential prequel centered around these characters, played by Jessica Rothe and Callum Kerr. The prequel is currently in development, with Virgin River executive producer and showrunner Patrick Sean Smith leading the effort.

Will There Be A Virgin River Prequel? Here's What Director Said

In an interview with Deadline, Smith shared an update on the prequel project, revealing that it is still in the development stages. “It’s still in development, so I’m working on that now,” Smith explained. The prequel is expected to focus on the origins of Sarah and Everett and will take place largely in the 1970s. 

Smith likened the project to Queen Charlotte, the prequel to Bridgerton, highlighting how the Virgin River prequel could expand the series' universe while still keeping romance at its core.

Expanding the Virgin River Universe

Smith elaborated on how the prequel would fit into the established Virgin River world. “I personally see it a little bit like Queen Charlotte to Bridgerton,” he said, drawing a parallel to the way Queen Charlotte explored a new storyline while still being connected to Bridgerton. Smith emphasised that while the prequel would dive deeper into the characters of Sarah and Everett, it would still maintain the romantic and character-driven elements that make Virgin River so popular.

"I think if there’s an opportunity to take what Virgin River as a book series was, which was each book was focusing on one couple and expanding the world outside of it, to put Sarah and Everett in the foreground of their own story, while populating, as Virgin River has, the world with supporting characters and other relationships—but all still running it through the romance lens," Smith explained.

He also noted the importance of maintaining a balance between romance and real-world issues, saying that the prequel would aim to “still speak and feel relevant to issues of today,” much like Virgin River itself.

The Backstory of Sarah and Everett

In the flashbacks shown in Virgin River Season 6, Everett (Kerr) is a free-spirited singer-songwriter living a bohemian life in a VW van. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Sarah (Rothe), a beautiful traveller, who shows him a new perspective on life. As the story unfolds, the show will explore their relationship and the formative events that led to the present-day characters. Kerr, who plays Everett, is also a musician based in Nashville, bringing his own passion for music to the role.

As fans eagerly await updates on the prequel, it’s clear that the expansion of Virgin River into a prequel series has the potential to explore rich backstories, deepen character relationships, and bring new dynamics to the beloved world of the show.