Virgin River’s Tim Matheson teases ‘wild’ season 8 as filming begins soon
Warning – this article contains spoilers for Virgin River season 7.
Virgin River’s Tim Matheson has teased a turbulent path ahead for Vernon ‘Doc’ Mullins and his spouse, Mayor Hope McCrea (portrayed by Annette O’Toole) in the Netflix series’ forthcoming eighth season.
The program just came back for its seventh run last Thursday (12th March), which witnessed Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack Sheridan’s (Martin Henderson) honeymoon period interrupted by fresh obstacles.
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After Charmaine (Lauren Hammersley) unexpectedly vanished, the pair encountered a complicated situation when Marley (Rachel Drance) presented them with the chance to adopt her infant, only for the baby’s father to unexpectedly return.
At the same time, Mel’s boss Doc kept battling the medical board following his license suspension for a dangerous yet lifesaving procedure, whilst competing hospital Grace Valley encroaches on his practice, reports the Express.
The season finale revealed a shocking twist, though, as Doc started contemplating a collaboration with Grace Valley despite his conflict with Dr Hayes (Kaj-Erik Eriksen), a choice that enrages Hope.
In an exclusive conversation with Reach, Matheson verified that Virgin River’s confirmed eighth season will address the consequences of their dispute directly from the start.
“Well, it focuses a great deal on [that challenge] in season eight,” he revealed. “Like in any relationship there are changes and bumps and adjustments that need to be made. So, that continues on and it’s all about people finding their true path in life. And we all know that changes from day to day.
“So, things get a little bumpy, perhaps. I’ve only seen the first two episodes in script form, but… strap on your seatbelt. It’s going to be a wild ride.”
Production for season eight is set to begin in April, meaning viewers may not have much longer to wait before fresh details about the upcoming season emerge.
The new installment will probably feature Doc legally working as a physician once more, but following the pressure of protecting his medical license and the threat of Grace Valley’s takeover, might retirement be a possibility?
Matheson quickly dismissed this theory, stating: “I don’t see that right now, no.
“Basically, he just keeps adjusting and in season seven, he actually came to a conclusion which threatened his relationship with Hope, that it’s better for his patients to try and adjust to more modern ways to help the patients by partnering with Grace Valley hospital.
“And using some of their improved equipment in the clinic and providing more immediate service to the patients, maybe through an ambulance and more modern care. And more money because a hospital can provide more modern equipment.
“So I think he’s going to try that and see how that works, because really his goal is to be of service to the patient and whatever’s better for the patient is worth trying. And that may or may not have a deleterious effect on his relationships, and people have strong feelings one way or the other about bringing in an outside medical facility to help the clinic.
“He has mixed feelings about it, so that’s the thing that he’s going to be weighing throughout season eight.”
Will Doc and Hayes’ partnership be amicable or will Virgin River’s steadfast doctor come to regret his decision? Keep an eye out for more small-town drama coming soon.
Virgin River is available for streaming on Netflix.
