A final tribute to Alexandra Breckenridge – the one who ignited hope and love on screen

Fans watching the latest season of Virgin River on Netflix are in for a surprise.

Not only does Season 7, which dropped in its entirety on the platform today, start with a shocking death, but several of the melodrama’s characters are not returning for Season 8.

In an interview with Deadline, published today, showrunner Patrick Sean Smith warned of a cast shake-up, confirming the actors and characters who would not be returning to the series next year.

One is Marco Grazzini, who plays Detective Mike Valenzuela. Grazzini joined the series in its second season and became a regular by Season 3, but there’s a slight chance that Mike has solved his last case in the riverside town.

“Mike probably will be on the back burner for a little while until we have something we’ve written,” Smith said. “We have so many relationships already that I think a little bit of that was just a sort of happy ending for this chapter for Mike to find his way back to Victoria and to explore what happens there. But I love Marco and could see his character coming back in a more substantive role if the creative is right.”

Lauren Hammersley, who plays hairstylist Charmaine Roberts and is the source of multiple cliffhangers throughout the seasons, is not returning. Hammersley has starred in Virgin River since the first season, but became more of a recurring guest by Season 5.

“No plans for Charmaine to be back in Season 8 but that’s not to say, when the right time comes, I’d love to bring the character back for something other than more cliffhangers and more lies on pregnancies,” Smith said.

The last confirmed no-go for Season 8 is Sara Canning, a newcomer to the series. Joining this season as ex-cop Victoria, this might be a one-and-done for her as she enjoys happily ever after with Mike.