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Complete Guide to Seasons 6, 7 & 8 Starz OUTLANDER w/ Overview Characters, Episodes, News, Updates

Maj Canton - May 11, 2023

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COUNTDOWN TO THE
"A Life Well Lost" Episode
(and Season 7 premiere)
of OUTLANDER
on Starz (cable) at 8pm ET


 

On Thursday, May 11, 2023, STARZ released the Season 7 trailer and key art for OUTLANDER, which makes its long-awaited return on Friday, June 16. The trailer is full of hints and easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans of the book series who have an idea of what’s to come and is packed with intense moments showing the American Revolution in full swing. The key art (below) furthers this theme, declaring “Our History is Now,” depicting Jamie and Claire on a battlefield.

 

OUTLANDER returns with the first half of its seventh season on Friday, June 16 at midnight ET on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and internationally on the LIONSGATE+ premium streaming platform in the U.K. On linear, it will debut on STARZ on Friday, June 16 at 8pm ET/PT in the U.S. New episodes will be available to stream weekly on Fridays at midnight on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and will air weekly on the STARZ linear platform on Fridays at 8pm ET/PT. Season 7 picks up from the harrowing events of the end of Season 6, with Jamie and Young Ian racing to rescue Claire before she’s tried and wrongfully convicted for the murder of Malva Christie. But their mission is complicated by the beginning of a geopolitical firestorm: The American Revolution has arrived. In the seventh season, Jamie, Claire, and their family are caught in the violent birth pains of an emerging nation as armies march to war and British institutions crumble in the face of armed rebellion. The land the Frasers call home is changing – and they must change with it. In order to protect what they’ve built, the Frasers have to navigate the perils of the Revolutionary War. They learn that sometimes to defend what you love, you have to leave it behind. As the conflict draws them out of North Carolina and into the heart of this fight for independence, Jamie, Claire, Brianna, and Roger are faced with impossible decisions that have the potential to tear their family apart.

 


 

 

On Thursday, March 23, 2023, STARZ announced the June 16 return of OUTLANDER, confirming the upcoming seventh season will be split into two parts of eight episodes each, with the back half airing in 2024. It was previously announced that the seventh season would be an extended 16 episodes. Additionally, STARZ released several first look images of the new season to quench the Droughtlander thirst. The series has already been renewed for an 10-episode eighth and final season (Watch the Season 8 cast announcement!) as well as a prequel series, OUTLANDER: BATTLE OF MY BLOOD, centering on Jamie Fraser’s parents has been greenlighted for a first season.
 
The seventh season of OUTLANDER is set to premiere on Friday, June 16 at midnight ET on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and internationally on the LIONSGATE+ premium streaming platform in the U.K. On linear, it will debut on STARZ on Friday, June 16 at 8pm ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada. New episodes will be available to stream weekly on Fridays at midnight on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and will air weekly on the STARZ linear platform.
 
STARZ previously announced several new additions to the OUTLANDER family, including Charles Vandervaart as William Ransom, Izzy Meikle-Small as Rachel Hunter and Joey Phillips as Denzell Hunter, joining returning fan-favorites Caitríona Balfe as Claire Fraser, Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser, Sophie Skelton as Brianna MacKenzie, Richard Rankin as Roger MacKenzie, John Bell as Young Ian, David Berry as Lord John Grey, Caitlin O’Ryan as Lizzie Beardsley and Paul Gorman as Josiah and Keziah Beardsley.

 
Here are those Season 7 first look images.

 

One month earlier -- on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 -- Starz announced that the opening title sequence for OUTLANDER Season 7 will be sung by Sinéad O’Connor, following a tradition each season of adapting the show’s theme song by drawing inspiration from upcoming storylines and locations. Season 7 is set to premiere this summer. Watch the new opening title sequence here.


The 10-episode prequel series, OUTLANDER: BLOOD OF MY BLOOD (from Matthew B. Roberts, Ronald D. Moore and Maril Davis, who also serve as executive producers of the original series) will center on the lives and relationship of Jamie Fraser's parents, Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie. "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," says Matthew B. Roberts, showrunner and executive producer. He continues, "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 ten. 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."

"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," said Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming for STARZ. "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."

OUTLANDER showrunner and executive producer Matthew B. Roberts is signed on to write OUTLANDER: BLOOD OF MY BLOOD and will also serve as showrunner and executive producer of the prequel series. In addition to Roberts, Ronald D. Moore will also executive produce the prequel along with Maril Davis. Moore and Davis developed OUTLANDER for television, under their production banner Tall Ship Productions. Story Mining & Supply Company will also executive produce, and Diana Gabaldon will serve as a consulting producer. OUTLANDER: BLOOD OF MY BLOOD will be produced by Sony Pictures Television. STARZ's Executive Vice President, Original Programming, Karen Bailey, will oversee the prequel on behalf of STARZ. OUTLANDER: BLOOD OF MY BLOOD will be available across all STARZ platforms in the U.S. and Canada and on LIONSGATE+ in the UK, Australia, Latin America and Brazil.

As an early holiday treat on Friday, December 23, 2022, STARZ released the first look teaser trailer and art (below) for the upcoming seventh season of OUTLANDER, and confirms that Droughtlander will come to an end in Summer 2023.

 

Two months earlier -- on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 -- STARZ announced the return of several fan-favorite OUTLANDER cast members today, in addition to five new cast members joining the popular time-traveling series for its upcoming seventh season, which is filming now in Scotland.  “One of the many joys of our epic story is the element of time travel which allows us to revisit some of our favorite characters in different times and places, and we’re thrilled to welcome back so many familiar faces for Season 7,” says Matthew B. Roberts, showrunner, writer and executive producer. “In addition to our returning cast, we’re also excited to welcome several new actors to the OUTLANDER family and cannot wait to introduce them to fans in our extended season.”

 



Loyal fans will recognize Graham McTavish reprising his role as Dougal MacKenzie, Jamie’s uncle whom he killed just before the battle of Culloden; Nell Hudson as Laoghaire Fraser, Jamie’s ex-wife and Marsali’s mother; Steven Cree as Old Ian Murray, Young Ian’s father and Jamie’s brother-in-law; Andrew Whipp as Brian Fraser, Jamie’s father; Layla Burns as Joan MacKimmie, Marsali’s sister and Jamie’s stepdaughter; and Lotte Verbeek as Geillis Duncan, Claire’s former friend-turned-enemy and a fellow time traveler from the 1960s. Several new actors will be joining the cast for Season 7, including Gloria Obianyo as Mercy Woodcock, a free Black woman navigating the hardships of life in Colonial America; Rod Hallett as Benedict Arnold, the notorious Revolutionary soldier turned traitor; Chris Fulton as Rob Cameron, a new acquaintance of Roger and Brianna; Diarmaid Murtagh as Buck MacKenzie, the illegitimate son of Dougal MacKenzie and Geillis Duncan, and Roger’s ancestor, a role previously played by Graham McTavish in Season 5, and Kristin Atherton as Jenny Murray, Jamie’s sister and Young Ian’s mother, a role originated by Laura Donnelly in Seasons 1-3.

On Thursday, August 4, 2022 STARZ announced it is in development on the prequel to OUTLANDER that will be titled OUTLANDER: BLOOD OF MY BLOOD. The writers’ room is underway on the drama that will follow the love story of Jamie Fraser’s parents. The series will be available across its international footprint on STARZ in Canada and STARZPLAY in Europe, Latin America and Brazil.

“OUTLANDER is a riveting show that from season to season has captured the hearts of its fans around the world,” said Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming at STARZ. “We are excited to peel back the layers of this vibrant world to bring our audience the origin of where it all began. Matthew, Maril and Ronald will continue to bring their excellent vision and creativity to this new iteration, and we can’t wait to see what happens next.”
 

Matthew B. Roberts is writing OUTLANDER: BLOOD OF MY BLOOD and will serve as showrunner and executive producer. He is also the showrunner and executive producer for OUTLANDER which is currently in production on its seventh season. In addition to Roberts, Maril Davis will also executive produce the prequel along with Ronald D. Moore, who developed OUTLANDER for television, under their production banner Tall Ship Productions. Story Mining & Supply Company will also executive produce with Diana Gabaldon serving as a consulting producer.
 
OUTLANDER: BLOOD OF MY BLOOD will be produced by Sony Pictures Television. Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Karen Bailey will oversee the prequel on behalf of STARZ.
 
The OUTLANDER television series is inspired by Gabaldon’s international bestselling books, which have sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide, with all nine of the books gracing the New York Times best-seller list. The “Outlander” television series has become a worldwide success with audiences, spanning the genres of history, science fiction, romance and adventure in one amazing tale.

 

On Monday, June 27, 2022, Starz announce the casting of Izzy Meikle-Small as Rachel Hunter and Joey Phillips as Dr. Denzell Hunter in the upcoming seventh season of OUTLANDER. Fans of the book series will be familiar with the two new characters, who are brother and sister.  Rachel and Denzell are Quakers whose quiet country life is changed when Young Ian (Bell) arrives at their farm with a sick and injured William Ransom (Charles Vandervaart). Dr. Denzell Hunter has been trained in medicine in Boston and London. As a firm believer in liberty, he is preparing to join the Revolutionary Army as a surgeon. His younger sister Rachel is modest but shows flashes of a fiery spirit that attracts the admiration of both William and Young Ian. “We’re excited to welcome Izzy and Joey to the OUTLANDER family and can’t wait for fans to see how these two fantastic actors bring Rachel and Denzell to life,” says Matthew B. Roberts, showrunner, writer and executive producer.

 

Izzy Meikle-Small

Joey Phillips


On Thursday, May 5, 2022 Starz announced the casting of Canadian actor Charles Vandervaart  in the role of ‘William Ransom,’ the secret son of Jamie Fraser, played by Sam Heughan, on the internationally acclaimed original series, OUTLANDER. The Season 6 finale of the fan favorite series aired May 1 on STARZ and production on Season 7 began in Scotland last month with Vandervaart joining returning cast members Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton, Richard Rankin and John Bell.

 

Raised by his stepfather, Lord John Grey (David Berry), William, the ninth Earl of Ellesmere, is a highly anticipated character from the book series. In Season 7, William arrives in Wilmington full of patriotic zeal and enthusiasm to join the British Army and help put an end to the escalating tensions in the American Colonies.  As fans may remember from season three, William is actually the biological son of Jamie Fraser, though he does not know the truth of his parentage. On the surface, William Ransom is a courteous aristocrat but simmering under the surface is a Highlander’s fire.

 

 

“We are happy to welcome Charles to the Fraser family for Season 7 of OUTLANDER, joining the cast with the other talented actors that bring our stories to life,” says Matthew B. Roberts, showrunner, writer and executive producer. “Scotland will again be our production home as the Frasers and MacKenzies try to make a home against the backdrop of the Revolutionary War. This season promises more adventure, time travel and emotional peril than any season before”
 
Executive producer Maril Davis adds, “The character of William Ransom is a wonderful role, and one fans have been eager to see. Finding someone with the talent and physicality to play Jamie’s son was a daunting task, but Charles’ charisma was evident during the audition process and we are excited to see what he will bring to William’s multi layered journey.”  

 

On Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 9pm-10:21pm ET/PT [also available to stream early on Starz.com and the Starz app for eligible subscribers at Midnight ET on Saturday night (March 5)/Sunday morning (March 6)], Starz premieres the long-awaited sixth season of OUTLANDER. Adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books, this season is based on material from the sixth book in the Outlander series, "A Breath of Snow and Ashes." The sixth season sees a continuation of Claire and Jamie’s fight to protect those they love, as they navigate the trials and tribulations of life in colonial America. Establishing a home in the New World is by no means an easy task, particularly in the wild backcountry of North Carolina – and perhaps most significantly – during a period of dramatic political upheaval. The Frasers strive to maintain peace and flourish within a society, which – as Claire knows all too well – is unwittingly marching towards Revolution. Against this backdrop, which heralds the birth of the new American nation, Claire and Jamie have built a home together at Fraser’s Ridge. They must now defend this home – established on land granted to them by the Crown – not only from external forces, but also from the increasing strife and conflict in the community within their care. For the Frasers and their immediate family, “home” is more than simply a site in which they live, it is the place where they are laying the foundations for the rest of their lives. If Season 4 asked “What is home?” and Season 5 asked, “What are you willing to do to protect your home?” then Season 6 explores what happens when there is disharmony and division among the inhabitants of the home you’ve created: when you become an outsider, or an ‘outlander,’ so to speak, marginalized and rejected in your own home.

 

Filming in 2021 presented an unprecedented set of challenges due to the pandemic, which led the production team to truncate the season (eight episodes) in order to bring the fans the most vibrant and dynamic season as soon as possible. They plan an extended season seven with 16 episodes next year as life returns to normalcy. Season 7 of the hit series will be based on the seventh of the eight books in the Outlander series, entitled "An Echo in the Bone” with Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall Fraser), Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), Sophie Skelton (Brianna Randall) and Richard Rankin (Roger Wakefield) all returning.

 

We have seen the first four episodes of Season 6 and all we can say… it’s fabulous and thank god DROUGHTLANDER IS OVER!

 


 


Character Descriptions



 

CLAIRE FRASER (Caitriona Balfe)



Claire Fraser carries on her mission to make the 18th century as safe as it can be for her family. However, she is not yet ready to deal with the trauma of being attacked by Lionel Brown and is plagued by PTSD. Refusing to succumb to it, she discovers a unique coping mechanism. When she enlists a new and bright apprentice, Claire inadvertently sows the seeds of her own downfall.




JAMIE FRASER (Sam Heughan)



As war approaches, Jamie Fraser continues to walk between two fires politically. The security of his land and his family depend on his allegiance to the Crown, but his knowledge of the future warns him he must join the American cause before it is too late. However, as his loyalties begin to turn, so do the loyalties of the Ridge settlers, and he is betrayed by the people he once welcomed into his home.




BRIANNA FRASER MACKENZIE (Sophie Skelton)



Having decided their home is in the 18th century, Brianna does her best to find where she fits in this time. As the Ridge population begins to grow, she begins inventing tools to ease their work and keep the settlers safe. Just as she and Roger are finally finding their place, a life-threatening discovery causes them to re-evaluate their lives in the past.




ROGER MACKENZIE (Richard Rankin)



Now that the 18th century is his home, Roger is searching for how he can be most useful in this time. When a large group of Protestant settlers arrive without a minister, he finds solace and purpose in acting as a stand-in.




YOUNG IAN MURRAY (John Bell)



Ian continues to struggle with his identity especially after he learns of what the future holds for the Native people. He battles memories of the past and confides that he fears that he might have made the wrong choice when he left the village. An encounter with a close friend puts it all into perspective for him.




FERGUS FRASER (Cesar Domboy)



Following the burning of the whisky still, Fergus feels he has lost his sense of purpose and is unable to adequately provide for his wife and their ever-growing family. Moreover, he blames himself for Marsali’s injuries during the attack by Lionel Brown. Fergus battles inner demons and struggles to prove his worth to himself and those he loves.




MARSALI MACKIMMIE FRASER (Lauren Lyle)



With another baby on the way and an often-absent husband, Marsali begins to have difficulties with the challenges that life on the Ridge presents and struggles to protect her family from judgmental Fisherfolk.




LIZZIE WEMYSS (Caitlin O'Ryan)


Once shy and timid, Lizzie has grown into a confident young woman. She is unafraid to go after what – or who – she wants, even if it means making an unconventional choice.




KEZIAH “KEZZIE” & JOSIAH BEARDSLEY (Paul Gorman)


 

Josiah and Keziah Beardsley have come into their own as hunters and providers for the Ridge and are becoming confident young men.




TOM CHRISTIE (Mark Lewis Jones)


 

Tom is a stoic and self-made man with strong Protestant morals that give him a penchant for judgement. In a time of need, he arrives on the Ridge and is welcomed as a settler. However, his past with Jamie is fraught with conflict, and the tension resurfaces




MALVA CHRISTIE (Jessica Reynolds)


 

Malva is a curious and alluring young woman. She arrives on the Ridge with her father and is instantly taken by Claire and her medical work. She struggles to walk the line between following the rules her father set out for her and living life as she would like to live it.




ALLAN CHRISTIE (Alexander Vlahos)


 

Allan is Malva’s brash and defensive older brother. He became the man of the house when his father went to Ardsmuir and learned to be the protector of the family at a young age.




RICHARD BROWN (Chris Larkin)


 

Richard Brown is seeking vengeance on Jamie for the death of his brother Lionel and uses his new influence as head of the Committee of Safety to antagonize Jamie.




MAJOR DONALD MCDONALD (Robin Laing)


 

Major Donald McDonald is a redcoat and the Crown's representative in the backcountry. His desire to bring order to the frontier forces Jamie to assume new responsibilities.




CHIEF BIRD (Glen Gould)


 

Chief Bird-Who-Sings-In-The-Morning is the leader of the Cherokee residing near Fraser's Ridge. He offers his loyalty to the British Crown in exchange for guns, forcing Jamie to make a difficult decision.




STILL WATER (Simon R. Baker)


 

Still Water is the younger brother of Chief Bird-Who-Sings-In-The-Morning.




AMY MCCALLUM (Joanne Thomson)


 

Amy McCallum is a young Scottish widow with two children who arrives on the Ridge with a group of Protestants looking to settle. She struggles to take care of everything by herself and begins to doubt her decision to move to the New World.




KAHEROTON (Braeden Clarke)


 

Kaheroton is a Mohawk warrior who comes to trade with the Snow Bird Cherokee. While there, he runs into an old friend who confronts him about past behavior.




WAHIONHAWEH (Morgan Holmstrom)


 

Wahionhaweh is a young Mohawk woman from Ian’s past.




LORD JOHN WILLIAM GREY (David Berry)



As the tensions in the colonies begin to heat up between those loyal to the Crown and those who seek to overthrow it, Lord John becomes increasingly concerned for his close friend Jamie Fraser. He does his best to vouch for Jamie’s loyalty and ensure no harm comes to him, but it becomes clear that Lord John’s efforts might be in vain.




JOCASTA INNES (Maria Doyle Kennedy)



As the political tension in the colonies continues to rise, Jocasta uses her wealth and influence to try and help protect her community from the consequences of a failed rebellion, something she is all too familiar with after Culloden.




ADSO


 

Named after Jamie’s mother’s cat, Adso is the Fraser family cat that keeps mice out of Claire's surgery.




SEASON 6 EPISODE GUIDE


If you want to know nothing about the episodes at all, skip this section. Provided by Starz, this episode guide includes general episode descriptions and specific plot details.




"Echoes" (Premieres Sunday, March 6, 2022): Jamie's authority is tested when an old rival from Ardsmuir shows up to settle on the Ridge. Claire finds a new way to cope with the trauma of her assault by Lionel Brown. Writer: Matthew B. Roberts. Director: Kate Cheeseman

"Allegiance" (Premieres Sunday, March 13, 2022): Jamie struggles with his first request as Indian Agent. Roger presides over an unusual funeral. Marsali gives birth. Writer: Steve Kornacki & Alyson Evans. Director: Kate Cheeseman

"Temperance" (Premieres Sunday, March 20, 2022): Fergus worries for his new son's quality of life when superstitious Protestants bully the baby. Claire performs surgery on Tom's hand. Writer: Shaina Fewell. Director: Justin Molotnikov

"Hour of the Wolf" (Premieres Sunday, March 27, 2022): While visiting the Cherokee, Ian encounters a man from his past who dredges up painful memories of his time with the Mohawk. Writer: Luke Schelhaas. Director: Christiana Ebohon-Green

"Give Me Liberty" (Premieres Sunday, April 3, 2022): Claire and Jamie experience the rising tensions in the colonies first-hand when they attend a Loyalist event in Wilmington in honor of the Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald. Writer: Barbara Stepansky. Director: Christiana Ebohon-Green

"The World Turned Upside Down" (Premieres Sunday, April 10, 2022): A dysentery epidemic strikes the Ridge. Writer: Toni Graphia. Director: Justin Molotnikov

*No Episode April 17, 2022*

"Sticks and Stones" (Premieres Sunday, April 24, 2022): Claire tries to overcome her demons as a nefarious rumor begins to spread on the Ridge. Writer: Danielle Berrow. Director: Jamie Payne

"I Am Not Alone" (Season Finale Premieres Sunday, May 1, 2022): Richard Brown and his Committee of Safety arrive to arrest Claire for murder but finding a judge to try their case proves difficult. Writer: Luke Schelhaas. Director: Jamie Payne


Q&A Interviews with OUTLANDER Cast, Creator & Executive Producers

Catch up on Season 1-5 with our:

COMPLETE GUIDE TO OUTLANDER SEASON 1

COMPLETE GUIDE TO OUTLANDER SEASONS 2, 3 & 4

COMPLETE GUIDE TO OUTLANDER SEASON 5


OUTLANDER on Social Media


Sites for OUTLANDER News & Links


How to Speak OUTLANDER: Gaelic


OUTLANDER Food & Drink


Travel: OUTLANDER Tours


Scottish Kilts, Bagpipes, Apparel, Collectibles, Jewelry & Gifts


Buy OUTLANDER Media: DVD, Blu-ray & Digital