The small, picturesque town of Virgin River has been a haven for romance, drama, and heartfelt moments since the series premiered on Netflix in 2019. As the show heads into its seventh season, fans are on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the lives of their favorite characters. At the heart of the anticipation is the complicated relationship between Brie Sheridan (Zibby Allen) and Mike Valenzuela (Marco Grazzini), which has been a rollercoaster of emotions since their romance began. After the shocking events of Season 6, which aired on December 19, 2024, many are wondering: Are Brie and Mike’s relationship headed for disaster in Season 7? Here’s what we’ve learned from recent updates, cast insights, and fan speculation.
Virgin River, based on Robyn Carr’s novel series, has captivated audiences with its blend of small-town charm and high-stakes drama. The show centers on Melinda “Mel” Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), a nurse practitioner who moves to Virgin River to escape her past, only to find love with Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson), a former Marine and local bar owner. Over six seasons, the series has expanded to explore the lives of the town’s residents, including Jack’s sister, Brie, a lawyer with a complicated romantic history. Brie’s relationships with Mike, a steady and dependable detective, and her ex, Dan Brady (Benjamin Hollingsworth), a troubled former Marine, have been a focal point of the show, especially in recent seasons.
Season 6 delivered a mix of joy and chaos, culminating in Mel and Jack’s long-awaited wedding, a moment fans had been anticipating since the series began. The season also introduced new challenges, such as Muriel’s cancer diagnosis, Preacher and Kaia’s relationship struggles, and a cliffhanger involving Charmaine’s mysterious disappearance. However, one of the most jaw-dropping moments came during the finale when Mike proposed to Brie at the wedding—despite knowing she had cheated on him with Brady. This revelation, coupled with Brie’s unresolved feelings for her ex, has left fans questioning the future of her relationship with Mike as Season 7 looms.
Brie and Mike’s romance has been a slow burn, starting after Brie’s breakup with Brady in Season 5. Mike, a fellow Marine friend of Jack’s, represents stability and kindness, a stark contrast to Brady’s “bad boy” persona. In Season 6, their relationship seemed to be on solid ground, with Brie even asking Mike to move in with her. However, her lingering feelings for Brady complicated things. During Mel’s bachelorette party, Brie drunk-texted Brady, admitting she couldn’t stop thinking about their past. This led to a heated encounter on a pool table at Jack’s bar, despite both being in other relationships—Brie with Mike, and Brady with Lark (Elise Gatien), who later turned out to be a con artist working with Jimmy (Ian Tracey) to scam Brady.
The fallout from Brie’s infidelity was a slow build throughout the season. She confided in Mel and Kaia (Kandyse McClure) about her guilt, torn between her head and her heart. “I don’t know if I can trust him,” she said of Brady, adding, “I definitely cannot trust myself with him. That’s why I’m with Mike. He’s a good guy, and I want to commit to Mike.” Yet, her actions suggested otherwise. At the wedding, Brady confessed his lingering love for Brie, saying he would do anything to protect her. Moments later, Mike proposed with a makeshift ring made from a water bottle cap, revealing he already knew about her affair. “I know,” he said calmly, leaving Brie—and viewers—stunned as the episode ended on a cliffhanger before she could respond.
Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith has since teased that Season 7, which began filming in March 2025 and is expected to wrap by June 26, 2025, will dive deep into the aftermath of this proposal. “We’ll unpack the proposal and everything in Season 7. It’s a complicated situation,” Smith told Entertainment Weekly. He also hinted at Brie’s emotional state, suggesting she may not be ready for marriage. “She’s fresh off the heels of a big trauma,” Smith explained, referencing Brie’s past sexual assault by a former partner, which has deeply affected her ability to trust herself in relationships. “Until she can settle in and get there, I don’t think she’s ready for marriage to anybody.”
Zibby Allen, who plays Brie, echoed this sentiment in an interview with Us Weekly. “Brie needs to get really real with herself,” Allen said. “She’s still clinging to an old sense of herself—the one that was good at everything, amazing at her job, before her assault turned her sense of self upside down. Until she can reconcile who she is now, it won’t be clear to any of us.” Allen also described the love triangle as a “battle of head versus heart,” noting that Brie’s undeniable chemistry with Brady doesn’t necessarily mean they can sustain a healthy relationship. “Whether or not they can navigate a grounded, realistic relationship still stands to be seen,” she added.
Adding fuel to the fire is the introduction of a new character, Victoria (Sara Canning), an ex-cop turned state medical board investigator who arrives in Virgin River to look into Doc’s practice. A casting description released in March 2025 revealed that Victoria “runs into a friend she wouldn’t mind catching up with … or maybe even pursuing something more.” Fans speculate that this “friend” is Mike, given their shared history as cops before Victoria was shot in the line of duty. This potential love interest could spell trouble for Brie and Mike, especially if Brie’s unresolved feelings for Brady continue to pull her in the opposite direction. Some fans on Reddit have even predicted that Victoria’s arrival might lead to a split, with one user writing, “The lawyer going after Doc and Mike will get close … I think Brie and Brady will get back together.”
Fan reactions to Brie and Mike’s relationship have been mixed. While some root for Mike’s stability, others feel he’s too “safe” for Brie, whose chemistry with Brady remains electric. On Reddit, one fan commented, “Mike is with her knowing full well she is in love with Brady, and I think that’s messed up.” Another added, “Mike didn’t even confront her when he found out she slept with Brady and still proposed. That’s not normal. He seems shady.” Meanwhile, supporters of Brie and Brady argue that their shared history and mutual growth make them the better match. “Brady helped her heal and learn to trust, and Brie helped Brady grow as a person,” one fan wrote.
The stakes for Brie and Mike’s relationship are higher than ever in Season 7, especially with Brady now single after Lark’s betrayal. Lark, who overheard Brady’s confession of love for Brie at the wedding, skipped town with all of Brady’s money, leaving him emotionally and financially vulnerable. This development could bring Brie and Brady closer, especially if they team up to track Lark down, as some fans have speculated. However, Smith has emphasized that the love triangle’s strength lies in its complexity. “A good love triangle is only as strong as the options you’re presenting,” he told Us Weekly, hinting that both Mike and Brady will remain viable choices for Brie.
Beyond the love triangle, Season 7 will explore other major storylines, including Mel and Jack’s journey toward parenthood through adoption, Doc’s fight to save his clinic, and the mystery of Charmaine’s disappearance. With production wrapping soon, a premiere in early 2026—possibly January or February—seems likely, following the show’s typical post-production timeline. As Virgin River continues to balance romance with drama, the fate of Brie and Mike’s relationship remains one of the biggest questions. Will Brie say yes to Mike’s proposal, or will her heart lead her back to Brady? And what role will Victoria play in this tangled web of love and loyalty? One thing is certain: Virgin River’s seventh season will keep fans guessing until the very end. All six seasons are currently streaming on Netflix, so there’s plenty of time to catch up before the drama unfolds. What do you think will happen to Brie and Mike? Let us know in the comments!
