Outlander has grown to be a fan favorite for history buffs galore over the years, since it aired in 2014. This historical drama is adapted from the ethereal novellas of Diana Gabaldon, which involve time travel, mystery, romance, and drama.
Fans have awaited the release of Season 8 after a banging Season 7 with several cliffhangers and mysteries. The Outlander fandom is in-store for good news, because Season 8 officially concluded filming!
The cast and crew of the drama commemorated the end of an era via their respective socials. News of filming update broke after Outlander’s official Instagram account shared snippets of the cast and crew with a slate reading “It’s a Wrap.”
The bittersweet caption began with a catchphrase from the series and read:
“Nothing is lost, Sassenach, only changed…”
The caption continues to express gratitude toward the cast and crew of Outlander, who have stuck with the drama since 2014. Furthermore, the showrunners thanked fans for their support for nearly 10 years!
Similarly, the heartfelt caption concluded by stating the wrap of filming was a genesis for something new.
Will Outlander end with Season 8?
Yes, Outlander will end with Season 8 - the final season. The news first made headlines in 2023 when Starz’ President for Original Programming Kathryn Busby released a statement confirming the aforementioned with a heavy heart.
Busby revealed Season 8 will be set to “properly conclude” protagonists Claire and Jamie’s romance.
Moreover, Busby highlights the ending wouldn’t be rushed and their story will span over 26 episodes: The 16 episodes of Season 7 (The 6 remaining yet to air) and the 10 episodes of Season 8. While the executive producers express immense passion to continue the franchise, all good things must sadly come to an end.
However, per Decider, director Matt Davis has hinted at a potential spin-off based on Gabaldon’s books - An unpublished 10th one that won’t be featured in the final season of Outlander.
Concerning the wrap of filming Season 8, the aforementioned caption also confirmed “the end of an era.” The official Instagram account summarizes the emotional journey of filming the series one last time.
Additionally, it encapsulates the essence of familiarity amongst the cast and crew of Outlander. The caption eloquently stated,
“Outlander really is more than just a show, it’s a family, and while filming might just be ending, there’s so much more to this journey that is just beginning.”
Whether or not there could be a prequel or a spin-off about the same remains strictly undisclosed and unconfirmed for the moment.
Will Outlander Season 8 have the same ending as the books?
No. Outlander Season 8 will not have the same ending as the books. The history drama has been closely following events from the book in every manner to remain as authentic and accurate as possible since 2014. However, the final season will not conclude in the manner of the books.
The drama primarily revolves around ex-military nurse Claire, who mysteriously finds herself transported to the year 1743. Despite the confusion, her journey leads her to encounter the debonair Jamie - a warrior who turns into the love of her life.
Thus far, Outlander has done justice to all 6 Seasons and Season 7 is set to conclude in early 2025 with Part 2 airing on November 22, 2024. The previously mentioned revelation comes after the author Gabaldon herself confirmed news about the story’s conclusion a little before filming wrapped up.
Per ScreenRant, she remarked,
“It really won’t resemble the end of the book series.”
Keep in mind the upcoming Season 8 is yet to adopt three installments of her novel: “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone,” and the under-the-wraps 10th book.
Considering the new season will only have 10 episodes in comparison to the usual 16 or 25 - it would be cramming too much in approximately 10 hours.
Nevertheless, per the publication, Gabaldon is “confident” the showrunners would deliver a promising end like they always have.
Who is in the cast of Outlander Season 8?
Members from the OG cast of Outlander will reprise their roles in Season 8. Here’s a complete list of the confirmed cast and characters for the upcoming Season 8:
- Caitriona Balfe as Claire Fraser
- Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser
- Cesar Domboy as Fergus Fraser
- John Bell as Young Ian Fraser
- Lauren Lyle as Marsali Fraser
- Sophie Skelton as Brianna
- Richar Rankin as Roger
- Izzy Meikle-Small as Rachel Hunter
- Charles Vandervaart as William Ransom
- David Berry as Lord John Grey
- Kristin Atherton as Jenny Murray
Season 8 will primarily revolve around the aftermath of Clair and Jamie’s relationship escaping great peril amid the American Revolutionary War.
Furthermore, with conspiracy theorists on their backs about Claire’s secret, a cathartic situation is set to unravel in the upcoming final season of the show.
Will the Late Dame Maggie Smith's son appear in Outlander Season 8?
Dame Maggie Smith sadly passed away on September 27, 2024, peacefully in her sleep as announced by her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens. With her demise, fans have been pondering over whether or not her son Chris Larkin, who plays the deviant Richard Brown would appear in Season 8 of Outlander.
Well, the answer is no, Dame Maggie Smith’s son Larkin will not appear in Season 8 of Outlander. In Season 7 and the books, Larkin’s character pretty much disappears after he delivers Claire to New Bern.
The Browns and Frasers have been feuding for quite some time, until Jamie decided to change things in Season 6. After finding out his wife’s whereabouts and how Brown attempted to have Claire killed, Jamie decides to put an end to the feud once and for all.
Although Season 7 doesn’t specifically show Brown dead, Jamie confessed to having instructed Ian to end the Brown family, which plausibly happened. Moreover, Smith’s son’s name wasn’t included in the confirmed cast list for Season 8, thus cementing claims that he won’t appear in Outlander Season 8.
Season 7 of Outlander will air on November 22, 2024 on Netflix to binge.
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