New images fromVirgin Riverseason 6 reveal the first look at Mel’s parents. Netflix’s popular romantic drama, which is based on the Robyn Carr novels and showrun by Patrick Sean Smith, follows Alexandra Breckenridge in the role of Melinda “Mel” Monroe.Virgin Riverseason 6will deepen the focus on the central character, with Mel and Jack (Martin Henderson) set to marry. But it’s also been confirmed that flashbacks will feature Mel’s parents.
Deadlinehas now shared the first images of the upcoming flashback episode inVirgin Riverseason 6, revealing the actors that will be portraying Mel’s parents.Mel’s late mother Sarah will be played byHappy Death Daystar Jessica Rothe. Everett, Mel’s father, will be played byHollyoaksalum George Kerr. The duo are seen laughing during a car ride, and having a conversation with an unseen third character. The flashback, which will be the second episode of season 6, comes asNetflix is considering a prequel around Mel’s parents.
How The Potential Virgin River Prequel Will Work
It’ll Be Set In The 1970s
The potential prequel is described as an origin story of Mel’s parents. It takes place in 1972, with Rothe playing Sarah as a free spirit from the big city. The character is described as having a passion for activism and wanting to avoid the conventional life that’s expected of young women in the 1970s. Sarah makes a connection with Everett, and it’s teased thatthe two might be star-crossed soulmates.
Virgin River’s Prequel Is Repeating A Netflix Hit With 95% On Rotten Tomatoes (& It Makes It More Exciting)
Netflix has greenlit a Virgin River prequel, and there are high hopes for the upcoming show following one successful series on the streaming service.
Everett is played in the mainVirgin Riverseries by John Allen Nelson. In the prequel, the character is described as a “singer-songwriter with a poet’s soul.” Although he hasn’t broken through as a musician, his path is altered by a chance meeting with the hitchhiking Sarah. The more recent version of Kerr was introduced before theend ofVirgin Riverseason 5, in a Christmas episode, butSarah has not had a meaningful presence in the main seriesup to this point.
Our Take On Virgin River’s Potential Prequel
It Reinforces The Show’s Quiet Success
Although it may not generate the same level of headlines asWednesdayorBridgerton, likely due to a premise focused on everyday personal drama and growth,Virgin Riveris a big hit for Netflix. Some of its outings have garnered billions of minutes viewed, according to Nielsen’s streaming viewership data. Given this, it’s no surprise that the streamer is leaning on a prequel with hopes of expanding the show’s purview. The flashback even features heavily in the season 6 logline, which is included below:
“Against the backdrop of Mel and Jack’s romantic spring wedding season, this sixth installment promises fresh twists and turns, escalating love triangles, delightful wedding drama, as well as uncovered secrets from Mel’s father’s past which will transport us to the magic and mystique of Virgin River in the 1970s.”
Virgin Riverhas a large cast, with several credited regulars. A flashback episode offers the chance for the romantic drama adaptation to step back and narrow its focus. Whether the flashback actually evolves into a separate prequel or not, Rothe and Kerr both have other high-profile projects coming up at Netflix. Kerr will play Smoker in the live-actionOne Piece, while Rothe is part of the medical dramaPulsefromLostexecutive producer Carlton Cuse.
Virgin River
Cast
Virgin River is a romantic drama series released in 2019, centering on a recently divorced nurse who relocates from a big city to the redwood forests of California. There, she starts a new life and encounters an intriguing local man, setting the stage for a complex narrative of personal and community relationships.
