Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Virgin River season 6!

After two seasons on the show, Cameron Hayek (Mark Ghanime) won’t return as a series regular character in Virgin River season 7, raising questions about his departure. The hit romantic drama, Virgin River, has built a passionate fanbase and become Netflix’s current longest-running scripted show. Throughout its six seasons, Virgin River introduces new characters who live in or visit the town. One of the most divisive characters introduced after the first season is Cameron Hayek.

Cameron first appears at the start of Virgin River season 4, with Doc Mullins hiring him to help out at the medical practice. He immediately ruffled feathers by being pushy and overbearing when getting involved in Mel’s romantic life. Then, he puts in his two-week notice rather than handle the situation maturely. However, the character becomes more enjoyable towards the end of his two-season run, developing a romance with Muriel. Unfortunately for fans who grew attached, Cameron won’t come back as a regular on Virgin River season 7.

Virgin River Season 6 Confirmed Cameron’s Story Is Already Over

All Cameron’s Storylines Are Finished In Virgin River Season 6

While some fans might feel sad about Cameron’s exit in Virgin River, the choice makes sense based on season 6. Between the end of Virgin River season 5 part 2 and the start of season 6, Cameron breaks up with Muriel to get back together with his ex-fiancée. Though it’s not explicitly confirmed, this likely relates to his desire to have children, while Muriel doesn’t want to be a mom. This becomes a topic of discussion in the Christmas episodes, where she asks him to think about what he wants.

The few times he appears in Virgin River season 6, he’s only back in town for Jack and Mel’s wedding. Now that Mel’s married, the awkward and unprofessional love triangle is finished. During his visit back to Virgin River, California, Cameron discusses his life outside the town with Muriel, and they both seem content with their decisions. Muriel even moves on with another man, which gives their romance closure.

Doc also has his vision back after an experimental trial, which is the entire reason he brought Cameron back to Virgin River to begin with. While it’s smart to plan ahead, it seems unlikely that the prideful Virgin River main character would ask for help or push Cameron to come back to the practice unless it’s necessary. Because of all these things, there’s no reason for him to come back in Virgin River season 7 unless an inciting event changes his current path. His major stories are resolved.

What Cameron’s Exit Means For Virgin River Season 7’s Story

Cameron’s Exit could Impact Muriel And The Mullins Clinic

Even though his storyline feels finished, Cameron’s exit could have a few significant impacts on Virgin River season 7. Muriel will have a chance to dedicate herself to her new romance without the distraction of seeing her ex every day. At the same time, Muriel may lean more on friends in the town to support her through her cancer diagnosis and treatment rather than rely on a romantic partner. Though she’s in a new romance, it seems unlikely that Muriel will let him help, given the fact that she’s guarded after her failed romances with Doc and Cameron.

Without Cameron at the clinic, the fight for Doc to regain his medical license feels imminent and high stakes.

The Mullins clinic might also feel the impact of his absence whenever Mel and Jack adopt a child. It seems unlikely that Mel will quit working after adopting a child. When she tried quitting the clinic before, she missed being a nurse too much to stay away. However, it’s plausible that she would take some time off to bond with her new baby before returning to work. In this case, Doc would be short-staffed without another medical provider.

The end of Virgin River season 6 also sets up a battle for Doc to keep his clinic since a major hospital is trying to expand into the town. Without a larger staff of doctors, it would be easy to get rid of the clinic. Doc’s license is suspended, and a nurse practitioner can’t work on their own in California yet. Mel wouldn’t be able to apply to work independently in California until 2026 under law AB 890 (California Board of Registered Nursing. Without Cameron at the clinic, the fight for Doc to regain his medical license feels imminent and high stakes.

How Cameron’s Virgin River Exit Compares To His Character’s Book Fate

Cameron Hayek Has Very Little In Common With His Virgin River Book Counterpart

Even though Cameron Hayek is based on Cameron Michaels from Robyn Carr’s “Paradise Valley,” he is one of the many things the Netflix show changed about the Virgin River books. Cameron is almost nothing like his book counterpart, and his show story has nothing to do with the novel. The only major parallel between the source material and the onscreen adaptation is the fact that Cameron is a doctor who works at the Mullins clinic.

In the book, he has a one-night stand with a woman named Abbey, and she gets pregnant with twins. He comes to the town of Virgin River after Doc Mullin’s death to take over his medical practice. This is nothing like his story in Virgin River seasons 4 and 5. Doc is alive. Cameron becomes interested in Mel and then dates Muriel. He doesn’t have twins and didn’t get anyone pregnant, as far as the audience knows. Ultimately, there’s almost no connection between his Virgin River exit and the book’s character.

How Cameron Can Still Return After Virgin River Season 7

Virgin River Season 7 Could Pull From The Source Material

Even though Cameron won’t return as a series regular for Virgin River season 7, he could still come back if the show gets picked up for season 8 or further seasons. The actor seemed to part with the show amicably rather than because of drama. The showrunner and actor – Patrick Sean Smith and Mark Ghanime, respectively – have both expressed that they are open to the character coming back to the show. The Virgin River books provide a prime example of how Cameron could return in Virgin River season 8, if Netflix continues the show that long.

If Smith followed the books, he could have Cameron return for one episode in Virgin River season 7, have a one-night stand, and get a woman pregnant with twins. This would give him a reason to return to the small town in season 8. Unfortunately, this could seem too similar to Virgin River’s Jack and Charmaine pregnancy storyline. After all, this would involve two people who aren’t necessarily romantically interested in each other having twins. The previous romance with Muriel would also make this particular storyline hard to swallow, potentially hurting all parties involved.

Alternatively, they could use a different detail from the book. Cameron only comes to Virgin River in the book after Doc dies. He applies to run the clinic. Doc is one of the most adored characters in Netflix’s Virgin River, so the choice to kill him off would be drastic, upsetting many viewers. However, they could have Doc lose his eyesight, which they’ve been teasing for three seasons, and bring Cameron back to run the clinic in Virgin River season 8 or 9. However, the character’s return might not be welcome since many viewers considered him creepy.