Does Daniel Gillies return as Mark in Virgin River season 4?

Virgin River season 4 has finally arrived and with the new episodes have come the returns of all of our beloved favorite characters as well as the introduction of several new faces who quickly won over the hearts of viewers.

As expected, all of the core members of the Virgin River are back for season 4 including Alexandra Breckenridge (Mel), Martin Henderson (Jack), Colin Lawrence (Preacher), Lauren Hammersley (Charmaine), Tim Matheson (Doc), Ben Hollingsworth (Brady), Grayson Maxwell Gurnsey (Ricky) and Sarah Dugdale (Lizzie).

Season 4 also welcomes the returns of several recurring players, while also introducing a few new faces including Kai Bradbury and Mark Ghanimé as Doc’s grandson Denny and the town’s new doctor Cameron, respectively.

This makes sense given the characters are all part of the Virgin River community and have played key roles in the storylines of the show’s first three seasons. However, there is one key member of the cast who has only ever appeared via flashbacks which has left many to wonder whether he’ll be back this season: Daniel Gillies.

** Warning: Virgin River season 4 spoilers ahead **

Is Daniel Gillies’ Mark in Virgin River season 4?

First introduced in Virgin River season 1, Daniel Gillies plays Mel’s husband Mark — who we discover died in season 1 following an automobile accident which Mel blamed herself for. Because his character is not alive in the present day, Gillies has only ever appeared as Mark in flashback sequences designed to help provide viewers with insights into Mel’s life before coming to Virgin River.

As the seasons have gone by, we’ve gradually seen less and less of Gillies and with Mark only making a few appearances in season 3 — again via a series of flashbacks. Fortunately for fans of Gillies, Mark does return in season 4; however, it’s in a very minimal role.

Our one and only glimpse of Gillies in season 4 comes in the opening scene of the season when he reprises his role as Mark in a dream sequence that was quite the unexpected way to open the new season. After his brief cameo in the premiere, Mark is only referenced in the rest of the season and does not make any further apperances.

Virgin River season 4 is streaming now on Netflix.