Many are fascinated with period dramas and soul-wrenching historical romances. So, when Outlander was released in 2014, it was a dream come true for millions of fans of this genre. The viewers were glued to the screen to see and experience the epic romance of Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan), as well as the challenges they continue to face in the backdrop of the transformative historical events of Scotland.
In the last season, the viewers were treated to some surprising revelations. One of them is Jamie being alive. Season seven is believed to show more twists and turns in Claire and Jamie’s relationship, especially because Claire is now married to popular favorite Sir John Grey.
While the audience is frantically waiting for season seven to hit the screen on Jan. 19, 2023, Starz confirmed the series was renewed for season eight, which will bring the almost decade-long show to its culmination. Let’s shed some light on it.
Will there be a season eight?
The final season will be based on Diana Gabaldon’s eighth novel, Written in my Own Heart’s Blood. This was the author’s last novel when the series aired in 2014. Thereafter, she added two more books to her set, though she expressed uncertainties about the faithfulness of the source material from her last two books into the show.
“I can see various things dovetailing together. We don’t have to actually wrap everything up with — this person’s dead, this one’s buried. But it has to come to what you might call a dramatically satisfying close. I know what the very end scene of book 10 is. I just have no idea how we get there.”
Production for the finale began last year and will contain a total of 10 episodes, six less than its predecessor. While information about the plot details remains scarce, here’s the synopsis of Gabaldon’s eighth book.
“The ninth Earl of Ellesmere discovers to his horror that he is, in fact, the illegitimate son of the newly resurrected Jamie Fraser (a rebel and a Scottish criminal!) and Jamie’s nephew Ian Murray discovers that his newfound cousin has an eye for his Quaker betrothed.”
Even the President of Starz Online Programming, Kathryn Busby, also provided an update.
“For nearly a decade, Outlander has won the hearts of audiences worldwide and we’re pleased to bring Claire and Jamie’s epic love story to a proper conclusion. But before we close this chapter there is plenty of their passionate story to tell over the course of 26 new episodes and even more to explore of this dynamic world and its origin story. We’re thrilled to continue to partner with Matthew, Maril, and Ronald and can’t wait to see where their alluring storytelling takes us next.”
Season eight might mark the end of the popular series, but fans will be treated to a fresh taste of Highland romance as Starz has green-lit a prequel.
The new series will go by the name Outlander: Blood of My Blood and feature the love story between Jamie’s parents. Even though not much is known about what the prequel has in store for the viewers, here’s what the executive producer, Matthew B. Roberts, has to say:
“Outlander: Blood of My Blood is, at its heart, a love story. It will explore what lengths a person will go to find love in a time when love is considered a luxury, and when marriages are made strategically, often for political or financial gain. The title is a nod to Jamie Fraser’s marriage vow to Claire, and there will be several names and faces that Outlander fans will know and recognize. Jamie and Claire’s TV story may be coming to an end with season eight, but Diana is continuing on with their literary journey in her wonderful book series and is working diligently on book 10. With Jamie and Claire, and now Brian and Ellen, there is still so much more to come in the Outlander universe, and we cannot wait to continue sharing these stories with our dedicated fans.”
Turns out the phenomenal success of Outlander has prompted the release of promising new seasons in the future, but the viewers will have to wait for years to view them on-screen.
