Outlander renewed for eighth and final season, prequel series in the works

It’s the day all of us Sassenachs have been dreading. On Jan. 19, 2023, STARZ announced that the beloved series, Outlander, is coming to an end. The show has officially been renewed for an eighth and final season.

Though a storyline and official cast list hasn’t been shared yet for the next chapter in the time-traveling romance, that isn’t unusual since season 7 (which has lots of questions to answer!) hasn’t even premiered yet. Though, the network did give us the episode count for Outlander season 8. The final season (so weird to say!) will have a total of 10 episodes to properly conclude the story of the cherished series.

Check out the announcement video shared by STARZ below:

It will be really interesting to see how the show chooses to wrap up the story. Will they go with the author’s plans or make up their own? Author of the Outlander books, Diana Gabaldon, has said that the tenth book in the series will most likely be the last. There are currently nine books published. The ninth novel, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, was released in 2021.

Is it possible book 10 will be completed before work on the final season of the show begins? It really depends how far the author is in her writing process, though she has started writing the tenth novel. The series does take a long time to film and produce, but writing the scripts starts early on. And it usually takes Gabaldon a few years to finish writing each book.

Perhaps if that final novel isn’t published yet, the talented author will at least share what she has in mind for the ending of the story. After all, she is a consulting producer on the television series. And she already knows how the whole story will conclude. Even lead actor Sam Heughan, who plays our favorite Scot Jamie Fraser, knows the ending!

The drama’s leads, Caitríona Balfe and Heughan, as well as Matthew B. Roberts, Maril Davis, Ronald D. Moore, Toni Graphia, among others will continue to executive produce. Dinna fash, Sassenachs! We also still have the super-sized season 7 to look forward to, which will be a total of 16 episodes! And, the Outlander journey won’t just end with season 8.

Outlander prequel series, Blood of My Blood

Though we’ll be saying goodbye to Jamie and Claire following the eighth season, there’s still more to come in the Highlander universe! Back in August 2022, it was announced a prequel was in the works. Now, the series has officially received the greenlight from STARZ.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood will be about another epic love story – Jamie’s parents Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie. The original series has given us hints at the couple’s romance, like how Ellen ran away from Castle Leoch to be with Brian. And now, we’ll get to see that play out with the 10-episode season order!

Moore and Davis will also take on EP duties, with Gabaldon serving as a consulting producer.  Roberts will serve as showrunner, writer, and executive producer on the prequel series. He shared the following statement in a press release:

"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."

Outlander, Jamie and Claire, and this epic story will forever be in our hearts! As we begin the bittersweet journey toward the end, let’s enjoy the time we have left. I’m just really happy to know that we’re going to get a proper ending to our favorite show and so excited to see what’s to come!

Outlander season 7 will premiere sometime in summer 2023 on STARZ.