Netflix’s Hit Adaptation Of Bestselling 21-Book Series Is Dominating Streaming After Long-Awaited Return

Based on Robyn Carr’s 21-book Virgin River saga, Netflix’s TV adaptation has proven to be one of the streamer’s most successful, long-running drama offerings. Nearly a year and a half after the premiere of season 6, Virgin River season 7 finally brings audiences back to small-town Northern California, as they reunite with a newly married Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson).

Of course, as ever in Virgin River, Mel and Jack’s newlywed bliss doesn’t last for long, as the mystery of Charmaine’s (Lauren Hammersley) disappearance and an anxious expectant mother bring chaos back to town. Audiences were clearly keen to see how Virgin River‘s close-knit community was doing, as the show marched onto Netflix’s Top 10 TV chart just a day after its premiere, both in the United States and worldwide.

On March 13, Virgin River entered Netflix’s US TV chart at second place. On March 14, Virgin River still holds the number 2 spot in the United States, just behind Love Is Blind’s season 10 reunion special, which premiered a day earlier than Virgin River‘s seventh season on March 11.

Meanwhile, on the worldwide chart, Virgin River entered the Top 10 TV list at fourth place on March 13. It has since climbed up to third place as of March 14, just under Netflix Original documentary series The Dinosaurs, which arrived on March 6, and Netflix’s globally beloved live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, which returned for its second season on March 10.

Though Virgin River‘s latest success is promising, it’s also not too surprising. Virgin River has consistently performed well for the streamer, earning its season 7 renewal before season 6 premiered. Season 8 was also confirmed long before the show’s latest run of episodes debuted on Netflix.

Though little is currently known about the plot for Virgin River season 8, it has been revealed by showrunner Patrick Sean Smith that two major cast members will be leaving the show: Lauren Hammersley as Charmaine — a character who has certainly earned a break from Virgin River’s soapy drama — and Marco Grazzini’s detective, Mike Valenzuela, whose romance with Jack’s sister Brie (Zibby Allen) fizzles in season 7.

However, Smith did also say that both actors may return for (potential) future seasons if the creative reasons for bringing them back worked for the show’s many storylines and the remaining ensemble cast. Surely, if Virgin River seasons 7 and 8 perform as well as the show has in the past, there’s no reason to believe it can’t also be renewed for season 9. There are, after all, 21 books of source material to pull from.

Virgin River season 7 is now streaming on Netflix.