As Virgin River gears up for season 7, fans are in for some exciting changes with the arrival of new cast members and a major shakeup regarding a familiar face. Netflix recently confirmed that Sara Canning and Cody Kearsley will be joining the cast, bringing fresh energy to the beloved series. Sara Canning, 37, will portray Victoria, an ex-cop who was injured in the line of duty and now works for the state medical board as an investigator. Her character, Victoria, arrives in Virgin River with a mission to look into Doc’s practice. However, she quickly finds herself reconnecting with an old friend, potentially sparking a new romance in the process. With her mysterious past and strong presence, Victoria will undoubtedly add an intriguing layer to the ongoing drama in Virgin River.

Meanwhile, Cody Kearsley, 34, will take on the role of Clay, a tough, athletic man who certainly knows how to make an impression when he enters a room. Clay has a colorful past, including working in the rodeo circuit, but his main storyline will revolve around his search for his younger sister, who he lost touch with years ago when they were both in foster care. His quest to reunite with her will no doubt bring additional depth and conflict to the unfolding narrative.

However, not all the casting news is celebratory. The show will be saying goodbye to Mark Ghanime, who has played the character Cameron. Ghanime will no longer be a series regular in season 7, a change that has come as a surprise to many fans. Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith spoke to TVLine about the change, expressing his affection for both the actor and the character. He clarified that although Cameron won’t be a regular this season, there’s always the potential for the character to return in the future. “I would love and can definitely imagine several opportunities of how we could bring Cameron back into our world,” Smith said.

In addition to the casting changes, fans of Virgin River will be happy to know that season 7 has officially begun filming. Martin Henderson, who plays Jack Sheridan, took to Instagram to share an update with fans. In a video posted on March 13, Henderson revealed that the cast was back on set for the new season and joked about his hatred of the cold, showing off a thoughtful gift from Netflix: rechargeable handwarmers to help him brave the chilly Vancouver weather during filming.