Warning - this article contains spoilers for Virgin River season 7.

Virgin River's Tim Matheson has previewed a challenging road ahead for Vernon 'Doc' Mullins and his wife, Mayor Hope McCrea (played by Annette O'Toole) in the Netflix show's upcoming eighth season.

The series has just returned for its seventh installment last Thursday (12th March), which saw Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack Sheridan's (Martin Henderson) newlywed bliss disrupted by new hurdles.

Following the sudden disappearance of Charmaine (Lauren Hammersley), the couple faced a tricky dilemma after Marley (Rachel Drance) offered them the opportunity to adopt her baby, only for the child's father to make a surprise comeback.

Meanwhile, Mel's employer Doc continued to fight the medical board after his licence was revoked for a reckless but life-saving operation, while rival hospital Grace Valley moves in on his territory.

The season finale dropped a bombshell, however, as Doc began to consider a partnership with Grace Valley despite his feud with Dr Hayes (Kaj-Erik Eriksen), a decision that infuriates Hope.

Speaking exclusively to Reach, Matheson confirmed that the beginning of Virgin River's confirmed eighth season will tackle the fallout from their quarrel head-on.

"Well, it focuses a great deal on [that challenge] in season eight," he shared.

"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."

Filming for season eight is confirmed to get started in April, so fans potentially don't have long to wait before more updates on the next season start to arise.

The upcoming chapter will likely see Doc legally practising medicine again but, after the stress of defending his licence and the possibility of Grace Valley taking over, could retirement be on the cards?

Matheson was quick to shut down this speculation, confirming: "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 stalwart physician come to regret his decision? Stay tuned for more small town drama coming soon.

Virgin River is available to stream on Netflix.

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