This story contains light spoilers for Virgin River season 6.

Virgin River season 6 is officially here, and fans can’t wait to see what’s happening with our favorite small-town citizens. Well, there’s a lot of change happening this time around, and Alexandra Breckenridge is sharing her thoughts on how this will impact future episodes.

The newest installment of the Netflix drama dropped on December 19, and viewers witnessed Alexandra’s character Mel Monroe and Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson) finally tie the knot. As everyone helps them pull off an epic party, Mel is also reconciling her past in ways she never expected.

Amid getting to know her biological dad Everett Reid (John Allen Nelson) for the first time, she’s also experiencing ups and downs in her bond with pseudo-dad Vernon “Doc” Mullins (Tim Matheson). What’s more, other folks are having their own life changes, from Doc’s grandson Denny Cutler (Kai Bradbury) starting a family with Lizzie (Sarah Dugdale)to Hope McCrea (Annette O’Toole) supporting Muriel St. Claire (Teryl Rothery) through a breast cancer diagnosis.

With all of these storylines intersecting in different ways, how do they affect the future of Virgin River? With season 7 already confirmed by Netflix, Good Housekeeping spoke exclusively with Alexandra about what’s to come in the next installment.

Alexandra Breckenridge portrays Mel Monroe in Virgin River. Netflix

“I think season 7 is going to really focus on the idea of family,” she explained over Zoom. “I’m so looking forward to that. I think what draws people into Virgin River as a show, besides the beautiful scenery and all of the romance, is this community and the connection we see the characters having.”

Given how Mel has gone through a lot (including pregnancy loss and the death of her first husband Mark), we love how family will continue to play a role on Virgin River. What’s more, Alexandra adds fans can definitely count on Mel’s relationship with Everett taking a turn that really puts the idea of true family into perspective.

“Because Mel lost both of her parents, you just never know when you’re going to have a family again — it leaves a hole,” she added. “I also think that whenever anybody faces something that is potentially so extremely devastating, it makes them appreciative of the things they have. So, even though Mel and Everett aren’t exactly similar in behavior, she wants to build that relationship with her biological dad. Maybe there are some similarities that we’ll get to see develop in season 7.”

Well, this is definitely a plot we’d love to see come to fruition! But as for how Everett can get involved with the inner workings of Virgin River, Alexandra is all about him being there for both the big and small moments in the town — especially for her and Jack.

“As Jack and Mel are building a new home and looking forward to building a family together, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone take part in the more communal aspects of Virgin River,” she noted. “Everyone is wanting to have these connections they didn’t think they could have, and now season 7 is about trying to grasp it and hold onto it as long as they can.”

Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe and Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan in Virgin River. Netflix

Well, we’ll certainly be tuning in to see what happens!