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The return of Virgin River signals the arrival of new episodes, bringing with them a fresh ensemble of cast members and characters. Season 7 introduces audiences to talents from shows such as One Tree Hill, Riverdale, and The Vampire Diaries, among others, enriching the series with familiar yet exciting faces.
Some notable additions to the cast include Austin Nichols, who steps into the storyline as a figure from Mel’s history. Sara Canning joins as Victoria, a medical investigator working closely with Doc, while Cody Kearsley portrays Clay, a former rodeo rider whose presence is set to stir the pot.
Beware: Spoilers for Virgin River Season 3, Episode 5 are ahead.
Each newcomer contributes significantly to the unfolding drama of Virgin River. However, Cody Kearsley’s portrayal of Clay is particularly intriguing as his character introduces some unexpected twists throughout Season 7. Let’s delve into the details surrounding this new character and his potential impact on the show.
So, who exactly is Clay in the world of Virgin River? And what can we discover about Cody Kearsley, the actor bringing this character to life? Here’s an in-depth look at the latest addition to Mel and Jack’s lives, along with insights into Kearsley’s career and his previous work in the entertainment industry.
Who Is Clay In Virgin River Season 7?
We first meet Clay in Season 7’s premiere when he helps defend a woman’s honor at Jack’s Bar. When Jack breaks up the brawl, Clay tells him he’s looking for a job. And when Jack learns he has rodeo circuit experience and “knows horses better than he knows people,” he tells Clay he can care for his new horses. At first, Clay seems like just another friendly face passing through Virgin River, but at the end of the episode, we see him hiding a gun and stacks of cash in the floorboard of Mel and Jack’s barn…
In Episode 2, Clay hits on Brie at the bar and quickly learns she has history with Brady. In Episode 5, he shocks Jack by shooting a snake that threatened Marley. And as the season progresses, we see him around the barn fixing things, tending to the horses, and generally being helpful. The suspicion surrounding him grows, and he finally he opens up to Jack about his childhood and family. He claims his parents were “flighty” and that he and his sister were split up after entering foster care when he was 16 and she was 10. When he was finally old enough to track her down, he learned she’d run away, so he’s been looking for her ever since.
Without spoiling the final three episodes, Clay gets into some trouble, returns to the rodeo, and lets Jack in on a secret he’s been keeping. There’s a chance Clay will be returning in Virgin River Season 8, so let’s learn more about Cody Kearsley, the actor who plays him, shall we?
Who Plays Clay In Virgin River Season 7? Meet Riverdale Star Cody Kearsley
As noted above, Clay in Virgin River is played by Cody Kearsley, a 35-year-old Canadian actor, writer, director, and producer who’s starred in nearly 20 films and television series since he kickstarted his on-screen career in 2016. If Kearsley looks familiar, you may recognize him from Power Rangers (2017), Spiral, Daybreak, Guilty Party, and more. But he’s best known for playing Moose Mason on 35 episodes of CW’s hit series, Riverdale. (Virgin Riverdale, am I right?!)
Per his IMDb bio, “As a filmmaker, Cody has produced over a dozen projects, both through Vancouver’s Crazy8s Film Society and independently via his production company, Persephone Pictures Inc. His short film Breathe, which he wrote and directed, premiered at international festivals and received critical acclaim, winning Best First-Time Director at both the Vancouver Short Film Festival and the Brussels Capital Film Festival, as well as Best Short Film at the Titan International Film Festival.” And the actor also has experience performing in theater and is the founder and Artistic Director of Vagrant Players Theatre Society.
With Clay making connections in Virgin River, there’s a chance we’ll see him return in Season 8. Until then, you can stay up-to-date with Kearsley on Instagram at @codykearsley. And he’s got several completed IMDb credits, including Send the Rain and A Safe Distance to keep a look out for!
Stay tuned for more Virgin River Season 7 coverage from Decider.