Virgin River Cast Discuss Mel and Jack’s Wedding, Cliffhangers, and More

Virgin River has finally allowed Mel and Jack to tie the knot in the season 6 finale, and stars Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson reflect on their most memorable moments from that special day.

“Seeing Martin tear up every time I walked down the aisle was unforgettable,” Breckenridge, 42, told Us Weekly exclusively. “I wasn’t crying myself, I was just thinking, ‘Where are my happy tears?’ But every time I reached the front, he would get misty-eyed. It was so sentimental and sweet.”

After navigating through six seasons of breakup and reunification, a fake paternity test, and a tragic pregnancy loss, Mel (Breckenridge) and Jack (Henderson) exchanged vows surrounded by family and friends in the season 6 finale. The moment was emotional for everyone involved, with Henderson explaining the significance it held for him.

“I’ve put so much energy and emotion into Jack and Mel’s relationship, which is central to the show. So witnessing Mel walking up the aisle, glowing and stunning, made me feel their deep love for each other. It was truly moving,” he expressed.

Henderson described the wedding shoot as “beautiful” and “tender” for the characters, who have faced numerous trials together. “I was genuinely overwhelmed and emotional about it. It felt like the culmination of six seasons. I gave my all to [Mel and Jack], and I was overjoyed for Jack to have this woman as his wife,” he shared.

He emphasized how monumental the occasion was for the fans, noting that they’ve always known Mel and Jack were meant for each other. “From the pilot, it was obvious they belong together. So finally seeing it come to fruition felt like a rewarding climax of all the love and affection they’ve shared over six seasons,” he said.

Breckenridge noted that many on set also felt the emotional weight of the ceremony. “I think many people were teary-eyed,” she revealed to Us. “Especially when Doc [Tim Matheson], Mel’s father figure, was walking me down the aisle… I could hear sniffling during my vows.”

While Henderson will surely cherish Jack’s wedding day forever, there’s one specific season 6 moment he’d rather forget: his comedic striptease for Breckenridge set to Big & Rich’s “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy.”

“I have completely blocked that out,” Henderson joked about the scene where Jack dances while wearing a cowboy hat. “That was one of the most difficult moments of my life and career.”

Henderson emphasized that he aimed for the scene to feel genuine to Jack’s character, which is why he opted out of professional choreography, favoring his own improvisational style instead.

“They asked if I wanted a choreographer, and I thought, ‘Absolutely, I need help!’ But as I neared the first meeting, it hit me. Having Jack Sheridan, a Marine and bar owner from Virgin River, break into a perfectly choreographed striptease? It would be ludicrous,” he explained. “So I thought, ‘Forget it. Just play the song.’”

This choice turned out to be a fan favorite, marking one of the highlights of the entire series. Henderson described Jack’s performance as an effort to “entertain his tipsy fiancée” after her bachelorette party lacked any strippers. Thankfully for Henderson, Breckenridge was the perfect partner for the scene, making him feel at ease despite some technical challenges on set.

“There was some dialogue woven into the dance. To record our lines, we couldn’t have music. I was mortified, just doing this ridiculous performance without a beat,” he recalled to Us. “Yet Alexandra Breckenridge was so gracious and engaged, approaching it with fun and joy. That made me think, ‘Let’s just have these two enjoy each other.’”

The wedding, coupled with the chaos of bachelor/bachelorette parties, was undoubtedly the climax of season 6, but Mel and Jack also embarked on their individual journeys. Breckenridge had a particular interest in Mel’s evolving relationship with her biological father, Everett (John Allen Nelson), with whom she reestablished contact at the end of season 5. The pair spend Virgin River’s sixth season bonding over their shared grief for Mel’s mother, Sarah, who passed away when Mel was just 11.

“It was very impactful for me, especially as someone who has lost their mother,” Breckenridge shared with Us. “I connected with Mel on a deep emotional level, particularly her journey of meeting her father and learning about her mother.”

Despite encountering obstacles along the way, the dynamic between Mel and Everett flourished over the season, and Breckenridge is eager to see where it goes in season 7.

“I’m excited to explore their relationship further,” she said. “I find it fascinating how Mel strives to deepen her bond with her father, while he unintentionally pushes her away, fearing the pain of potential loss. People who have grieved often hesitate to love again, worried about experiencing that hurt anew. But it’s vital to embrace love, or life simply isn’t complete.”

As Mel continues to explore her relationship with her father, Jack is also on his emotional journey, one that Henderson believes relates to finding “peace and understanding” of his military past.

“We see Jack wrestling with these issues when he reconnects with his ex-wife. He is somewhat dismissive of the military honors he receives and grapples with painful memories,” he explained. “It’s a tough balance, as there’s deep-seated regret.”

Henderson also pointed out the challenge Jack faces in supporting Ricky (Grayson Maxwell Gurnsey), who has returned to Virgin River before his deployment. “Jack wants to remain supportive and not undermine Ricky, who faces his own fears and insecurities. Jack’s own experiences create a complex emotional landscape for him,” he added.

As individual storylines unfold for both Mel and Jack in season 7, they will encounter new challenges together. The season finale left viewers on edge, as Marley (Rachel Drance) revealed her intention for Mel and Jack to adopt her unborn child. Meanwhile, Jack finds Charmaine’s (Lauren Hammersley) home plundered, leading him to a shocking discovery in the nursery — a cliffhanger the audience is yet to learn about.

Mel and Jack have desired to expand their family for some time, but following Mel’s second pregnancy loss in Virgin River season 5, uncertainty looms over their parental aspirations. However, season 7 may bring significant changes for the newlyweds.

“Jack is still hopeful for the family he envisions and is eager to discover how that will unfold,” Henderson shared. Meanwhile, Breckenridge teased that Mel has a whirlwind of emotions racing through her mind — but she’s not entirely closed off to the possibility.

“She’s in a state of shock,” she explained. “With just having married, this is the very next morning, and she is processing a mix of emotions. But there is glimmers of hope starting to surface. We’ll see how it goes.”

Virgin River is currently available on Netflix.