Virgin River gets a ninth season before anyone has seen the eighth, and it is now streaming’s longest-running drama

Netflix rarely renews a show this early. It has just done it for a show that is already older than almost anything else on the service.

The streamer confirmed on Friday, US time, that Virgin River will return for a ninth season of 10 episodes, a decision made before season eight has screened anywhere. Production on season eight wrapped in August, and it is expected in 2027.

The renewal takes the series past Elite, which ended after eight seasons, as Netflix’s longest-running original scripted show by number of seasons. Only Elite and the animated comedy Big Mouth had reached eight. Virgin River’s episode count now matches Grace and Frankie’s Netflix record of 94.

Why does Netflix keep it?

Because people keep watching. Netflix says the first seven seasons have drawn more than half a billion views, counted as total hours watched divided by running time. The show has spent 28 weeks in Netflix’s global Top 10 and reached the Top 10 in more than 80 countries.

That is rare staying power on a service better known for cancelling shows after two or three seasons. Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of scripted series for the US and Canada, called the order a milestone that shows how much fans love being part of the show’s community.

Who is coming back?

Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith, who took over from Sue Tenney with season five, returns as executive producer. “Nine seasons is an unimaginable gift,” he said.

Alexandra Breckenridge stars as nurse practitioner Mel Monroe, with New Zealand-born Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan, the former Marine turned bar owner. Henderson told fans the cast would keep making it as long as viewers wanted it.

Netflix has released a first look at season eight showing Jack holding the couple’s baby, with Mel beside them. Season seven ended with Mel’s ex-boyfriend Eli, played by Austin Nichols, operating on their son.

When can Australians watch?

Virgin River streams on Netflix in Australia and New Zealand, where new seasons usually arrive at the same moment as the rest of the world. Netflix has not set a date for season eight beyond 2027. Season nine has no date.

What does the record mean?

For a streamer that often ends dramas after two or three seasons, a ninth season ordered this early is a vote of confidence in a show with a loyal audience. Earlier long runs on Netflix, Elite and Big Mouth among them, stopped at eight. Virgin River is the first scripted original to be guaranteed a ninth.