Virgin River fans just quietly got the best possible news about the show’s Netflix future

While the cast and crew are hard at work filming Virgin River season 8, fans are anxiously awaiting the day when new episodes will be available on our watch lists. It's only been a few months since season 7 was released on Netflix and left us with yet another nail-biting collection of cliffhangers to mull over during the hiatus. But we're ready for the next chapter of the small town's drama.

Even though a couple long-time cast members departed the series after season 7, we're starting to learn who the newcomers we'll meet will be when season 8 premieres, and they sound rather exciting. The latest cast addition also boasts an added layer of good news for fans, as there's a bit of a tease that Virgin River might not be coming to an end anytime soon.

Virgin River season 8 adds Nurses and SkyMed actress Natasha Calis to the cast for a major recurring role as Dr. Astrid. She's a surgical resident who winds up on probation and must now work a rotation at Doc's clinic. Astrid might not have the best attitude about being in Virgin River, but other details about Calis' casting teases that she could be here to stay, possibly for season 9.

According to Deadline's reporting on Calis joining the Virgin River season 8 cast, the actress' contract has an option to promote her recurring role to a series regular role should Netflix renew the romantic drama for season 9 and even possibly more beyond that. Now, that's far from an official season 9 renewal, but it's seemingly confirmation that season 8 isn't being eyed as the final season.

It's a wonderful silver living for Virgin River fans who might have been increasing worried that Netflix could decided to pull the plug on the show and thus the rug out from under us. After all, the streaming service recently confirmed final seasons for fellow hit original series The Night Agent, The Lincoln Lawyer, and Emily in Paris, all of which could have continued beyond the current orders.

But it's clear to see that even Virgin River is getting up there in age, and for a streaming series, going for eight seasons might as well be Grey's Anatomy territory. (In case you've lost track, the ABC medial drama is going into season 23 this fall.) However, the plans that are being put in place for Virgin River lend to the possibility that the show could go on for at least a few more seasons.

Virgin River season 8 also cast Landman and The Sex Lives of College Girls actor Mitchell Slaggert in a key recurring role as an EMT named Eddie. While initial reporting about Slaggert's role didn't specify whether he has a similar option to become a series regular like Calis, it's clear to see that could be a possibility. The series seems to be building itself toward a new generation by expanding its scope.

Once season 8 wraps up filming later this summer, we will surely learn more details about what the future could hold. While the season won't drop this year, we could potentially find out from Netflix whether the show has been renewed, as the streamer typically announces Virgin River's renewals before the latest season premieres. Keep those fingers crossed for even more good news!

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