The Virgin River universe is expanding with a prequel series currently in development, but what do we know so far about the upcoming spin-off?

Netflix is reportedly working on a prequel to Virgin River but what do we know about this spin-off so far?

The sixth season of the romantic drama Virgin River is currently in production, after initial delays last year due to actors and writers’ strikes.

Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s CEO, has confirmed that the latest instalment will be returning sooner than anticipated, making its debut at the end of this year instead of 2025.

But there’s even more exciting news for Netflix subscribers, as it’s been announced that the Virgin River universe will be expanding with a prequel series now in development. So, what details have emerged so far?

In season five, Mel Monroe (portrayed by Alexandra Breckenridge) finally met her biological father Everett Reid (John Allen Nelson), after discovering her mother’s old love letters.

The Virgin River prequel is rumoured to focus on the love story between Mel’s late mother Sarah and Everett, who she met in a “picturesque Northern Californian town”.

Reports suggest that the upcoming sixth series will offer a peek into their past, featuring flashbacks of a young Sarah and Everett.

These glimpses into the past will serve almost as an introduction to the spin-off, with the new series being written and developed by Virgin River showrunner Patrick Sean Smith.