Fans of Virgin River have taken to Reddit to speculate that beloved couple Brady and Brie will split in the upcoming series five.

With the release date for season five of Virgin River edging ever nearer, fans are eagerly analysing the series trailer for clues as to what will happen and think they have spotted clues that a couple will “split”.

Fans on Reddit believe the upcoming season, which hits Netflix on September 7, could set the scene for Brie Sheridan (played by Zibby Allen) and Dan Brady’s (Ben Hollingsworth) break up.

A user called @Zealousideal_Art_233 started the debate by querying reports that said there would be a surprise break up. “I hope it’s not Brady and Brie,” they said.

@Unonuon chimed in: “I’m about 95 percent sure it is. All the new s5 behind the scenes and pics are Brie with Mike.” (sic)

@FNCKyubi concurred with this. “Its going to be brady and brie 100%, then brady leaving town after him being kidnapped and mike and brie love story.” (sic)

Someone with the handle @ourstorywasepic wailed: “Oh no!!! They’re my favorite ugh I hope that’s not be case. They’re also not even in the trailer together so that doesn’t look promising :/” (sic)

However, @SophieHowlCastle opined that the “split” may not be through choice. “I’m afraid Brady will die a hero,” they wrote.

“I had hoped he and Brie would rekindle their romance, and perhaps do another steamy dance, that had all the chemistry of a wonderful couple together.

“If Brady leaves, only ‘good guys’ like Preacher, Jack, Cameron, Doc, and -probably-Mike remain. I read Mike is meant to be Brie’s love-interest if they go by the books. But Mike is so boring!” they said.

Things definitely don’t look good for Brady if the trailer is to be taken as definitive.

In a blink-and-you-’ll-miss-it scene, he is on his knees with his hands behind his back in what appears to be a warehouse, surrounded by a menacing group headed by Melissa Montgomery (Barbara Pollard).

A quick close-up shows that he is bleeding and battered as he stares up at his captor.

Whether or not he survives remains to be seen but the trailer also showed that there is a huge wildfire so there is plenty of jeopardy in the series.

Brady was introduced to the series as a friend of Jack (Martin Henderson). The pair served in the Marines together but Brady has struggled to adjust to civilian life.

Although he is dating Jack’s sister, Brie, in the last series he and Jack fell out and he quit his job at Jack’s bar.