Few series have managed to capture the essence of love, loss, and community quite like Virgin River. Since its debut on Netflix in 2019, the small-town romantic drama

has become a global phenomenon — a warm-hearted escape into a world where heartbreak meets healing and every cup of coffee carries a story. Now, with Virgin River entering its next chapter

, fans have even more to look forward to. According to the show’s creator and showrunner, Patrick Sean Smith, the beloved series could soon expand into a fully-fledged universe — c

omplete with new towns, fresh romances, and stories that reach far beyond Mel and Jack’s cozy corner of Northern California.

A Universe Built on Heart and Hope

Over the past five years, Virgin River has evolved from a quiet debut to one of Netflix’s most consistently successful dramas. The series’ fourth and fifth seasons achieved stellar audience reactions, with Rotten Tomatoes scores of 100% and 80% respectively. Viewers across the globe have fallen in love with the show’s signature blend of heartfelt emotion, complicated love stories, and breathtaking scenery.

But behind the scenes, Patrick Sean Smith has been dreaming even bigger. Speaking to Swooon, Smith revealed that he and the creative team have been exploring countless ways to build upon the foundation of Virgin River’s world.

“It’s a rich world with rich characters,” Smith explained. “Putting romance forward feels like there’s a ton of potential… There’s huge potential. It’s a great story engine.”

His words are more than just speculation. With Netflix confirming a prequel series already in development, the Virgin River universe is officially expanding. And if Smith has his way, it won’t stop there.

The First Step: A Prequel Rooted in Mel’s Past

The first confirmed spin-off, currently in early development, will transport fans back in time — exploring the love story that shaped Virgin River’s leading heroine, Mel Monroe (played by Alexandra Breckenridge).

The prequel will focus on Mel’s parents, Everett and Sarah, portrayed by Callum Kerr and Jessica Rothe. Longtime fans will recognize Everett as the recently introduced father who reentered Mel’s life in a dramatic twist during Season 5. Their complex relationship — marked by secrets, guilt, and the desire for redemption — is set to take center stage in this new series.

By exploring the origins of Mel’s family, the prequel promises to deepen the emotional roots of Virgin River, showing audiences how the past continues to ripple through the present. For Smith, this isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about expanding the emotional depth of the show’s universe.

“Every story we tell in this world is about love and second chances,” he said. “Whether it’s in Virgin River or a generation earlier, that core remains the same.”

From the River to the Coast: Netflix’s Next Big Romantic Adventure

But Virgin River’s prequel isn’t the only project stirring excitement among fans. Netflix has also announced an entirely new series inspired by another set of novels from Virgin River author Robyn Carr.

The upcoming adaptation of Carr’s Thunder Point novels marks the streamer’s next big step into expanding this heartfelt universe. Teaming up once again with Virgin River’s executive producer Roma Roth, Netflix aims to bring to life another small-town saga — one filled with romance, redemption, and the irresistible pull of human connection.

The series will center on Hank Cooper, a drifter who arrives in the coastal town of Thunder Point for a friend’s funeral. What starts as a brief visit soon spirals into something far more profound when Cooper unexpectedly inherits valuable property — and discovers that the town’s calm surface hides a web of secrets, heartbreaks, and second chances.

Thunder Point: A New Home for the Same Heart

With Thunder Point, Netflix is betting on what has made Virgin River such a success — an atmosphere of warmth and emotional truth wrapped in scenic beauty. Yet the new series also promises something distinct: the untamed, windswept energy of the coast.

Where Virgin River has offered fans the quiet charm of forest cabins and mountain views, Thunder Point will introduce them to salty sea breezes, crashing waves, and the unique rhythm of a seaside town trying to heal old wounds.

And just like in Virgin River, the story will explore love born from loss, resilience rising from grief, and the way ordinary people can find extraordinary strength when they open their hearts.

“Robyn Carr’s storytelling has a timeless quality,” Roth noted in a previous interview. “Her worlds are built on the belief that love and community can heal even the deepest scars. That’s something audiences around the world connect with — especially now.”

A World That Keeps Growing