Netflix’s beloved romantic drama Virgin River has been keeping fans on the edge of their seats with its heartfelt storytelling, small-town charm, and jaw-dropping cliffhangers. As the series gears up for its highly anticipated seventh season, a recent bombshell has sent the fandom into a frenzy. Guest star Callum Kerr, who captivated audiences as the young Everett Reid in Season 6, has teased a potential return to the show with a cryptic social media post: “We running this back?” accompanied by a smirking emoji. The post, shared on May 10, 2025, has sparked wild speculation about whether Kerr will reprise his role as Mel Monroe’s father in Virgin River Season 7 or if it hints at the long-rumored prequel series finally getting the green light. With fans buzzing and theories flying, this development is the biggest bombshell to hit the Virgin River universe yet.
Virgin River, based on Robyn Carr’s bestselling novels, follows nurse practitioner Melinda “Mel” Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) as she relocates to the picturesque Northern California town to escape her past. Over six seasons, the show has woven a tapestry of romance, drama, and community, with Mel and bar owner Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson) at its heart. The series has become Netflix’s longest-running English-language drama, a testament to its loyal fanbase and ability to deliver emotional punches. Season 6, released on December 19, 2024, was a landmark chapter, featuring Mel and Jack’s long-awaited wedding, shocking betrayals, and the introduction of Mel’s biological parents, Sarah and Everett, played in flashbacks by Jessica Rothe and Callum Kerr, respectively. Now, Kerr’s tease has fans wondering what’s next for the Reid family and the Virgin River saga.
Kerr’s post, shared on Instagram, featured a photo of the actor beaming in front of a backdrop emblazoned with the Virgin River and Netflix logos. The caption, “We running this back?” paired with a smirking emoji and tags for the show and streamer, was enough to ignite a firestorm of excitement. Fans flooded the comments with reactions ranging from ecstatic to speculative, with one writing, “OMG, are we getting more Everett in Season 7?! 😍” and another theorizing, “This HAS to mean the prequel is happening! Netflix, make it official!” The lack of official confirmation from Netflix or the Virgin River team has only fueled the anticipation, leaving viewers to dissect every possible meaning behind Kerr’s words.
In Season 6, Kerr’s portrayal of young Everett Reid brought a fresh dynamic to the series. Set in the 1970s, the flashbacks explored the passionate and tumultuous love story between Everett, a free-spirited singer-songwriter, and Sarah, a city-dwelling activist with a zest for adventure. Their chemistry was electric, offering fans a glimpse into the origins of Mel’s family and the secrets Everett carried into the present day. John Allen Nelson played the older Everett, who revealed himself as Mel’s biological father in the Season 5 holiday specials and dropped a cryptic bombshell in the Season 6 finale, hinting at more revelations to come. Kerr’s performance, described as “soulful” and “magnetic” by critics, made young Everett a fan favorite, and his potential return has fans clamoring for more of his story.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether Kerr’s tease points to a return in Virgin River Season 7 or the development of the prequel series, which has been in discussion since Season 6’s production. Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith has confirmed that Season 7, currently in production with filming set to wrap in June 2025, will continue to explore Everett and Sarah’s love story through flashbacks. “There’s so much that was presumed, and some things that have been referenced, but that’s where I think the more we can fill out this love that spans almost 40 years, the better,” Smith told Swooon. This suggests that Kerr could reprise his role as young Everett in Season 7, potentially delving deeper into the events that shaped Mel’s parents’ relationship and Everett’s connection to Virgin River.
However, Kerr’s post has also reignited speculation about the prequel series, which was teased as a potential spinoff in Season 6’s second episode, a backdoor pilot set in 1972. The prequel would focus on Sarah and Everett’s romance, offering a standalone story while tying into the main series’ timeline. Deadline reported that the project remains in development, but Netflix has not yet greenlit it, and Kerr’s inclusion in Season 7 may indicate that the prequel is on hold. “Netflix confirmed to us in April that a spin-off had not been greenlit yet but didn’t say whether it hadn’t been ruled out entirely,” noted What’s on Netflix. Fans are hopeful that Kerr’s tease is a sign that Netflix is moving forward with the prequel, which could expand the Virgin River universe and give Kerr and Rothe a chance to shine as leads.
The excitement surrounding Kerr’s potential return is amplified by the cliffhangers left in Season 6. Mel and Jack’s wedding was a highlight, but the finale left viewers reeling with questions: Will Mel and Jack adopt their patient’s baby? What did Jack see in Charmaine’s nursery? How will Muriel navigate her breast cancer diagnosis? The Reid family storyline, in particular, remains a focal point, with Everett’s untold secrets poised to shake up Mel’s world. Kerr’s return as young Everett could provide answers, shedding light on the “important” revelation Everett hinted at and deepening Mel’s understanding of her heritage. “The big new mystery character this season is Mel’s biological father, Everett Reid, who is carrying a long-held secret,” Smith told Tudum, hinting at the significance of this arc in Season 7.
Beyond the plot implications, Kerr’s tease has sparked a broader conversation about the future of Virgin River. The series’ consistent yearly releases and devoted fanbase have made it a cornerstone of Netflix’s lineup, but some fans worry that the show’s sprawling ensemble and multiple storylines could dilute its magic. Season 6 faced criticism for juggling too many plots, with some arguing that guest appearances, like Ricky’s brief return, felt unnecessary. “Ricky’s return was sweet, but a mention of how he’s doing would have sufficed,” wrote Show Snob. Kerr’s potential return, however, feels different, as his character is integral to Mel’s backstory and the show’s emotional core. Fans are eager to see how his story intertwines with the main cast, including Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, and returning stars like Tim Matheson and Annette O’Toole.
Social media has been abuzz with fan reactions, with X posts reflecting the fervor. “Callum Kerr teasing a Virgin River return is EVERYTHING! We need more Everett and Sarah flashbacks! 🙌” one user posted. Another wrote, “If this means the prequel is happening, I’m screaming! Netflix, don’t play with us! 😱” The enthusiasm underscores the show’s ability to keep viewers invested, even as it navigates cast changes, like Mark Ghanimé’s confirmed exit as Cameron in Season 7. “Cameron will always be part of our world, but he won’t be a series regular,” Smith told Deadline, leaving the door open for future cameos but shifting focus to new and returning characters like Kerr.
As production on Season 7 continues, with a projected release in late 2025 or early 2026, fans are left to speculate about Kerr’s role and the show’s direction. Will he appear in a handful of flashbacks, or could his tease signal a larger presence, either in the main series or a prequel? The uncertainty only adds to the excitement, as Virgin River has a knack for surprising its audience. “There’s a lot more to go here with these characters,” Smith told Tudum, promising fresh twists and deeper explorations of the show’s beloved residents.
Kerr’s bombshell tease has reminded fans why they fell in love with Virgin River: its ability to blend romance, mystery, and heartfelt moments in a way that feels both cozy and electrifying. Whether he’s “running it back” as young Everett in Season 7 or laying the groundwork for a prequel, his potential return is a spark that has reignited the fandom’s passion. As the Virgin River saga continues to unfold, one thing is clear: this small town still has plenty of big surprises in store.
