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Virgin River

If you’ve been escaping reality with Netflix’s small town romantic drama Virgin River, you’re not alone. Just one day after Virgin River Season 5 premiered on the platform, the series — based on Robyn Carr’s books — jumped to the top of Netflix’s Top 10 list. Not bad for an original series that debuted to little fanfare in December 2019.

As more and more people stumble upon the charming romantic drama, viewers will likely be curious about the show’s charming setting, cast, and more. That’s where we come in!

Curious where Virgin River is filmed? If the town of Virgin River, California is real? Who’s in the cast? And when can you expect new episodes? Here’s everything you need to know!

Where Is Virgin River Filmed?

While Virgin River takes place in the quaint town of Virgin River, California, it was actually filmed in Vancouver, Canada. Welcome to Hollywood North, baby! Some specific locations include The Watershed Grill on the river in Squamish, which is transformed into Jack’s Bar.

In an interview with Tudum, Virgin River’s location manager and scout, W. Robert “Fluffy” Millar, LMGI, said, “It’s a great destination — it’s near the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world, where they come to eat and feed and mate. And we always just shoot the exterior on the dike by the river at Jack’s Bar.”

The house that serves as Mel’s cabin in Virgin River is reportedly located in Murdo Frazer Park and houses the park’s real-life caretaker. “The interior, of course, is on a soundstage. They use big photographic backdrops hanging from the ceiling, so when you’re inside and look out the window, it’s actually high-resolution photos taken of the area around the real cabin. It’s a beautiful little park with tennis courts and running trails and a pond on it with turtles and stuff,” Millar told Tudum. “Last year we were almost at risk of not being able to go there because right adjacent to it is a massive British Columbia hydro substation, which is kind of your PGE [Pacific Gas and Electric Company, in the United States]. They were upgrading it, so we had all these logistical challenges. We also found out last year that the District of North Vancouver received a heritage grant to refurbish the cabin, because it’s actually sinking.”

As for how the cabin sinking impacted Season 5 filming, Millar said they established shots ahead of time but wouldn’t be shooting again until the cabin was lifted.

And as for the building used for Doc’s office? That’s reportedly on 122 First Street in historic Queen’s Park of New Westminster, British Columbia. As Conde Nast Traveler notes, many of Virgin River‘s Vancouver filming locations have appeared in other films and TV shows, so they may look familiar. Mel’s (Alexandra Breckenridge) cabin, for instance, is also featured in Once Upon a Time, The Flash, and Fringe, while her clinic has appeared in Supernatural and Capricia.

Is Virgin River A Real Place?

Unfortunately, the northern California town of Virgin River does not actually exist. So, no, sadly Virgin River is not a real place! But you can visit the real filming locations noted above.

Virgin River Season 3 — Photo: COURTESY OF NETFLIX

When Does Virgin River Season 5, Part 2 Come Out?

If you’re reading this article there’s a good chance you’re catching up on Virgin River, fantasizing about being in the fictional world, and wondering when new episodes will drop on Netflix.

Virgin River Season 5, Part 1 featured 10 episodes. But the drama doesn’t stop there! Season 5, Part 2 will include two additional episodes that premiere on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 3:00 a.m. ET.

Virgin River Season 5 Cast:

In addition to Breckenridge’s Mel, a nurse who moves from Los Angeles to Virgin River, Virgin River Season 5 will feature returning favorites including Martin Henderson as bar owner Jack; Colin Lawrence as John “Preacher” Middleton, Jack’s chef and bestie; Lauren Hammersley as Jack’s former FWB Charmaine Roberts; Annette O’Toole as Virgin River mayor Hope McRea; and Tim Matheson as local physician Doc Mullins. Season 5, Part 1 will also feature several new characters played by Kandyse McClure (Kaia) and Libby Osler (Ava).

Here’s a look at additional cast members who you can expect to see this time around: