Outlander Season 8 has finally begun delivering the show’s last 10 episodes ever on the 2026 TV schedule, and things are off to a rip-roarin’ start. While the path toward the series finale promises to be one filled with romance, drama, war, and probably more trauma than any Sassenach would like, there is one particular thing that has fans especially worried right now, and it’s the survival of our beloved James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser. Once again, it appears that Jamie’s life could be on the line, but star Sam Heughan just revealed why he doesn’t think the brave character has “ever been scared of death.”

What Outlander’s Sam Heughan Said About Jamie Not Being Afraid Of Death

Over the course of seven full seasons so far, Outlander has delivered blow after blow to viewers when it comes to killing off characters (yes, I’m still salty about Murtagh) or even just giving us an undue amount of fake-out deaths. Well, with Brianna and her family having time traveled back to the 1700s and brought Frank’s book that foretells Jamie’s death (and this being the final season, which in and of itself makes people think that major characters will be doomed), a lot of fans are very concerned about the possibility that Jamie won’t make it out alive.

Luckily, we can now count on Sam Heughan to lighten the load of his character’s potential death just a bit. When he spoke with Yahoo! News Canada about Jamie’s chances of dying before the Starz series is over, he noted that he doesn’t believe that the threat of his own death is something that Jamie has ever fretted over, for one very good reason. As he said:

Wow. Isn’t that a very old-timey romantic notion? As you swoon, you may be wondering if there’s something about death that does worry the soldier who still has the heart of a Highland warrior, and Heughan has thoughts about that, as well:

As we saw in one of the trailers for Season 8, Jamie even preemptively told his family to go back to the 1980s if he does meet his end by fighting on yet another dangerous battlefield. So, it’s clear that his main fear isn’t about dying or even how he might die, but the health and safety of those he’ll leave behind.

While this is all well and good (and yes, again, very romantic) it still doesn't mean that Jamie won't meet his end in Season 8, and you also might be wondering how Jamie doesn’t equate death with a form of leaving his precious wife behind. Well, showrunner Matthew B. Roberts has that answer on lock, and you need to prepare yourselves to swoon once more:

Alright, so not only is that romantic, but it almost sounds like it could be a clue to the enduring mystery of spectral Jamie from the pilot episode, somehow. Of course, whether or not that turns out to be the case remains to be seen, so we’ll all just have to keep tuning in.

Outlander just returned to the 2026 TV schedule, yet its comeback has been bittersweet. That’s because Starz announced the series would be ending with Season 8 while Season 7 was still in the mix. The droughtlander had been long, and will soon be permanent. Plus, given there are more books to come in the written series the TV show is based on, I’ve been extremely nervous about where all of this is going.

However, author Diana Gabaldon is more bullish about the future, and has a message for the fans like me who are a bit tepid about what is coming next. She said after the Season premiere:

About a million years ago, and when I say a million years ago I really mean 10, Gabaldon was doing press while Outlander was still in its infancy. Someone asked her about the very famous scene from the pilot in which Frank sees a shadowy figure watching Claire from the window in Inverness. He approaches the ghostlike figured, revealed to be a shadow of Jamie Fraser, but the figure disappears. Gabaldon said years ago the explanation for that scene would be the very final thing she wrote into the series, which she believed at the time would be Book 10. (Gabaldon published Book 9, Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone, back in 2021.)

Despite this, I don’t realistically know if we are getting a return to this scene in the final season of Outlander. I’ve recently been re-watching the series in anticipation of the final episodes, and the moment in the pilot really does serve to kick off all of the strangesness that comes next. In order to buy into Outlander, you have to buy into the concept of time travel in an historical setting, and that scene really serves to set the tone, and to share how vivid and poignant the connection between Jamie and Claire is, even before we’ve met Jamie.

So, How The Heck Is Outlander Going To Wrap?

The cast knows, of course, having finished filming the series back in 2024. Though Sam Heughan admitted at the time even he didn’t really know how the series was going to end, which made me wonder then if they had filmed multiple possibilities. His boss, EP Matthew B. Roberts, later confirmed multiple endings were filmed.

Meanwhile, Gabaldon has seen all of Outlander Season 8, and she’s throwing positivity at the restless fans like me who are very apprehensive about what’s next. She told TV Insider:

Most of the seasons of the series have loosely followed the books, but that timeline was sped up later in the series. We’ve seen some elements of Written in my Own Heart’s Blood in Season 7 already, but that book does have a lovely, memorable ending, and I half thought at the time when I read it that it might be the last book. That didn’t turn out to be the case, however.

Season 8 will reportedly draw on Book 9 (Go Tell The Bees That I am Gone) and Gabaldon also said here that it will not dive into her unpublished Book 10. Ergo, because the window scene is supposed to be how the series wraps, I’m concerned some character stories, including the moment by the window, will be left unfinished.

I will certainly miss the TV series not making it to the end of Diana Gabaldon’s written narrative. What I’m not tepid on is Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan. Though I love all the characters, they have admirably carried this drama for over a decade, and managed roles in major movie productions on the side. They’ve worked for months on scenes with warfare and action, they've somehow managed to keep love-making scenes fresh, and they have dealt with so much in the way of makeup to age them up and down. They are, simply put, the beating heart of Outlander, and the reason the show has gone on.

Despite all of the love, and Diana Gabaldon’s voice of reassurance, here, I’m still nervous Outlander is going to pull a Gilmore Girls, and make us wait for the return to the scene by the window when her final book comes out. There could be worse things, I suppose.

The beginning of the end of the long Outlander saga will arrive soon in the 2026 TV schedule, with the eighth and final season set to premiere on March 6. The Starz drama still has plenty of loose ends to tie off, and fans can only speculate at this point about whether we'll get the answers we're hoping for about Ghost Jamie and whether two beloved characters are only being brought back for tragedy. Leading man Sam Heughan has already settled one question, however, when he revealed the "embarrassing" memento he kept from his eight seasons as Jamie Fraser.

Sam Heughan opened up about wrapping his time on Outlander in an interview with SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend. He shared that one thing he kept actually went above and beyond what he originally wanted to take when filming finished:

Heughan didn't specify if the "full Jamie Fraser" he keeps in his office is along the lines of a cardboard cutout or something more extravagant, but it's certainly fun to imagine him at work with a full-size version of himself looming over his shoulder. Considering that Heughan previously said that he'd wanted to take his kilt when filming concluded on Season 8, he surpassed himself by taking a full version of Jamie.

In this case, wrapping the season and leaving with some souvenirs doesn't mean he knows how the season ends. Executive producer Matthew B. Roberts has revealed that multiple endings were shot, meaning that not even Caitriona Balfe or Sam Heughan can say exactly what happens before the final credits roll on Outlander this spring. The two leads gained additional roles on the show starting in Season 5, earning credits as executive producers.

Speaking with SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend, Heughan weighed in on whether his role as an EP meant that he had any requests for how Jamie's story would end:

Not many actors can truly say they'll watch along with fans without knowing how the story will end, but Matthew B. Roberts guaranteed that few people actually know what the real conclusion will look like. For her part, Caitriona Balfe took another job on top of her work as star and EP for the final season as well, directing the second episode. She also shared with SFX what she took from the set: "the [wedding rings]," although she "had to return them for a minute."

Even readers of Diana Gabaldon's saga of Outlander novels can't say for sure what's going to come for Claire and Jamie before the very end, as the show is officially ending before the publication of her final book in the series. Matthew B. Roberts explained that the writers "had conversations with Diana" about how to stick the landing, so the story will have authorial input even if it's not going to match what Gabaldon ultimately publishes.

I'm excited to see what lies ahead during this final stretch of episodes. And, as time goes on, I'll also be curious as to what other props and trinkets other cast members grabbed by the time production wrapped. Right now, though, Sam Heughan's "embarrassing" keepsake takes the cake.

Fortunately, the wait is nearly over to check back in the the Frasers for the first time since Season 7 wrapped back in early 2025. The eighth and final season of Outlander will premiere on Friday, March 6 at 8 p.m. ET on Starz, as well as stream via the Starz app and on-demand platforms. In the remaining days before the premiere, you can also revisit the first seven seasons streaming with a Netflix subscription.

Outlander Season 8 is fast approaching on the 2026 TV schedule, and while fans have always loved things like the drama’s romantic sexy scenes, incredibly revelatory opening credits, and the very real chemistry between stars Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan, something they also adore is knowing that the duo are real life friends. They’ve talked about their sibling-like bond many times over the years, but now the Belfast star has opened up about one time when she actually let others think she had diarrhea to help her pal out on set.

What Caitríona Balfe Said About Letting Others Think She Had Diarrhea To Help Sam Heughan While Filming Outlander

Anyone who’s been blessed to have at least one really good friend will likely agree that they would do pretty much anything for them, and vice versa. Well, the cast and crew of Outlander became a tight-knit bunch after filming in Scotland for over a decade, with leads Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan being such “firm friends” that they praise each other’s accomplishments away from the time travel romance and have even openly argued over Balfe’s pet peeve about Heughan.

Something else that they’ve done is support each other during the frequently grueling and incredibly time-consuming shoots, with The Couple Next Door star saying the show’s success is because of their “equal energy and input.” However, it now kinda sounds like Balfe may have put at least a teensy bit more into their camaraderie. After saying that their friendship was “probably one of the things I’m the proudest of from the whole show,” she told Vogue that she once let their colleagues assume she had some digestive troubles to help her pal out. As she told it, while being interviewed alongside her co-star:

Wow. This might seem like a small task, but I think it really can be classified as her taking “one for the team” when it comes to helping a friend out. I mean, no one wants to have diarrhea, but it might be even worse for other people to know/think you have it, right? But, she realized at that moment that her friend needed some time to process something. So instead of putting his business in the street and letting everyone know that he was upset, she put the idea of her intestinal fortitude on the line to plead for a sudden potty break.

Though he responded to her confession with a somewhat glib-sounding “Did you? So nice!” he did admit to how much he’d felt that his co-star would “protect” him as they worked on the series, and said:

Balfe letting everyone think she needed an emergency poop evacuation does give big sis energy, doesn’t it? I love this friendship for them, and I’m sure that if Heughan ever returns this type of favor, neither of them will shy away from talking about it.

Sassenachs have had to be a patient lot over the past decade or so, but we’re now close to a very important event: the 2026 TV premiere of Outlander Season 8, which will be the last set of episodes. Fans have already gotten hints about the story which will be at play, and know that the season will give us the “traditional feels” of what’s come before, but what we still don’t know is just how the beloved series will end. When asked about that, star Sam Heughan definitely surprised me by admitting something wild.

What Did Sam Heughan Say About How Outlander Is Going To End?

Even though the debut of Outlander Season 8 won’t be until March 6, the show actually completed filming way back in the fall of 2024. This means that we know things like the final read-through was emotional and have even been shown the new, tear-jerking opening credits. But, we still have no clue how one of the sexiest, romantic shows on television will end the journey of Claire and Jamie Fraser and their large group of family and friends.

When speaking with People about the time traveling drama recently, Sam Heughan made a wild admission, especially considering how long ago filming wrapped and how close we are to the final season airing:

Now, obviously, it’s important to keep many essential plot points secret prior to the release of a new season, and this can be especially true for a show based on a series of novels which is, itself, not quite finished yet. Though author Diana Gabaldon is still writing her tenth and final Outlander book, the Starz drama will need a definite end of some sort, but it sounds like Heughan and his co-stars haven’t been clued into what that is just yet, which is kinda unbelievable.

How, you’re probably wondering, is that even possible? Well, showrunner Matthew B. Roberts, when speaking to Vanity Fair not long ago, revealed the probable answer. After noting that the premiere will deliver lots of answers for viewers “right off the bat,” he also said that worries about “security reasons” led them to film several endings for the show.

As Heughan said, it’ll be up to the final edit to determine which of those endings is accurate to the story Roberts wanted to tell. And, it’s clear that the showrunner wants to keep that info as close to the vest as long as humanly possible, if the cast hasn’t even been told at this point. So, what does the actor know about what fans will see in Outlander’s final season? Apparently, it’s all about:

Wow. All of those are pretty major ideas, but “eternity” certainly has my ears pricked. If this means that we’ll finally get an answer to the “Jamie’s ghost” question, then I’ll likely be totally happy with whatever else happens.

The first season of Outlander: Blood of My Blood has been as full of romance, intrigue, and kilt-clad Highlanders as any Outlander fan could have hoped in the 2025 TV schedule, complete with an intimacy coordinator on board for when the story gets spicy. The prequel's four leads look enough like Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan that it's not too hard to buy them as the future parents of Outlander's Claire and Jamie, but the show especially nailed the casting when it came to Jamie Roy as Brian Fraser.

I spoke with the actor about the first season of the new show, and he shared the "spooky" first time that somebody in his personal life realized that he looks an awful lot like a dark-haired Sam Heughan. Fans certainly noticed the resemblance between Jamie Roy and the actor who plays his son on Outlander, but did anybody in his daily life make the connection before he was cast for Blood of My Blood? He answered that very question, saying:

A+ to that friend of the family, because the resemblance is pretty uncanny once you make the connection! Take a look at Blood of My Blood's Brian and Murtagh compared to Outlander's Jamie and Dougal:

Put red hair on Jamie Roy in the photo on the left or black hair on Sam Heughan in the photo on the right, and I'd say that they'd at least look close enough to be related! I'll admit that there are scenes in Blood of My Blood's first season that I did a double take at Brian, and the two actors even sound similar.

Throw in the fact that Heughan plays a character named Jamie on Outlander and an actor named Jamie plays his dad in the prequel, and it really feels like the stars aligned for Jamie Roy to land the key role in Blood of My Blood. He went on:

Jamie Roy isn't the only one of the Blood of My Blood leads with a resemblance to Sam Heughan or Caitriona Balfe, with Hermione Corfield's Julia looking (and sounding) especially like Outlander's Claire. In addition to Roy as Brian Fraser and Corfield as Julia Moriston, the time travel drama stars Harriet Slater as Ellen MacKenzie and Jeremy Irvine as Henry Beauchamp. While Slater is English, both she and Roy (a native Scot) honored their characters by wearing tartan and a kilt (respectively) for the Blood of My Blood premiere.

There are still a few episodes left of Outlander: Blood of My Blood's first season, and fans can rest easy on at least one front: the show has already been renewed for Season 2. As for the rest of Season 1, the remaining new episodes will air on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on Starz, and be available streaming on Fridays on the Starz app as well as the Starz add-on to a Hulu subscription.

Like every other Outlander fan under the sun, I’ve had quite a journey with the romantic fantasy/historical drama. It’s made me laugh, made me cry, and delivered so much shock and awe in just a couple of handfuls of its best episodes that I sometimes can’t believe how much has happened to Claire, Jamie and all of their friends and extended family. Seeing as how we’ve known that Outlander Season 8 is going to be the final go-round for a long time now, I had actually gotten used to the fact that this Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan-starring ride was coming to an end. However, now that Heughan’s been out here praising his co-star, I’m all in my feels again.

What Did Outlander’s Sam Heughan Say About Caitríona Balfe Before Season 8 Airs?

Even though we are quickly approaching the end of the 2025 TV schedule, we are still a ways off from the 2026 television debut of Outlander Season 8. So, while we are, technically, still in a Droughtlander (though Outlander: Blood of My Blood is helping by providing a new 1700s time travel story), I’ve been able to adjust to the fact that a series I’ve loved for over a decade will soon no longer bring me new adventures.

During a recent interview with the New York Post, though, Sam Heughan had to go and stir my emotional pot by sweetly talking up his co-star and buddy, Caitríona Balfe. When speaking about being done with their roles as Jamie and Claire since Season 8 wrapped filming nearly a year ago, the Men in Kilts star said:

Welp, that’s it! Once again, it’s hard to imagine a world where these two aren’t on screen together at least every couple of years. Sassenachs! Whatever shall we do!

I mean, sure. For many years now it’s seemed very apparent that Balfe and Heughan became friends because of the show. From him talking about how she’s “like a sister and best friend,” to her calling him her “work hubby” and them arguing about Heughan refusing to return Balfe’s phone calls, they clearly have a tight bond that we can all hope won’t end just because…sniff, sniff…the show that brought them together does.

Hopefully, they’ll continue to at least share their friendship with fans, and post the odd photo of them at lunch together once in a while. He continued, and noted that they even met up not long ago:

Awww! I love that for them. Listen, folks, all I can really say is that we better prepare ourselves for the “traditional feels” Outlander's final season will bring, because it’s sure to be an emotional ride that might last well past the end credits rolling for the last time.

Warning: spoilers ahead for the first two episodes of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, available streaming now with a Hulu subscription and the STARZ app.

The long-awaited Outlander spinoff has officially premiered with two back-to-back episodes in the 2025 TV schedule, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who was glad to get the double dose of time travel romance in one night. After the first episode focused largely on Brian (Jamie Roy) and Ellen (Harriet Slater) in the 18th century, only the last ten minutes of the premiere focused on Julia (Hermione Corfield) and Henry (Jeremy Irvine) before the second episode really delved into their story.

As it turned out, their story on screen in those last ten minutes of the premiere started with a sex scene that seemed reminiscent of Claire and Jamie on Outlander, so I asked the stars for their thoughts on working with intimacy coordinators after Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan spoke highly of the practice. First things first!

What Caitriona Balfe And Sam Heughan Have Said

Outlander didn’t have an intimacy coordinator in the earliest seasons, as staffing somebody in that role wasn’t common when the show kicked off back in 2014. That changed for Season 6, and both stars only had good things to say about the new practices. Speaking with EW, Balfe recounted that it was previously a "constant negotiation between the director and the producers and how much do the producers want versus how much we feel comfortable with,” which were “never comfortable conversations, and sometimes it can cause tensions.” She went on to say this about Vanessa Coffey, who came on as the intimacy coordinator:

Sam Heughan, who brought Vanessa Coffey into the production in the first place and then worked with her again on Starz’s The Couple Next Door, shared his own thoughts in the same 2022 interview while reflecting back on the earliest days of Outlander:

Charles Vandervoort, who plays William on Outlander, also praised working with the show’s intimacy coordinator. She made sure that he and his scene partner “were very comfortable with what was going to happen” with “established boundaries.” So, what about Blood of My Blood as the spinoff wasted no time in getting steamy with two of the four leads?

What Hermione Corfield And Jeremy Irvine Told Us

I’d predicted that Outlander: Blood of My Blood might take a few episodes before getting into any sex scenes, but I clearly underestimated how much of Julia and Henry’s love story we’d see in the 20th century before Claire’s parents accidentally traveled back a couple hundred years. The actors’ first such scene took place in the premiere, when Henry and Julia took a brief break while driving through the Scottish countryside for a romantic rendezvous before the car crash that took them away from their young daughter.

It was an intimate scene for two costars so early in a show that will run at least two seasons thanks to an early renewal, so I took a moment while speaking with Hermione Corfield and Jeremy Irvine during Starz’s Blood of My Blood press day to ask about about their experiences with an intimacy coordinator after what Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe said. Corfield, who previously recounted how paparazzi almost spoiled a huge Blood of My Blood twist, shared:

Fortunately, the two actors clearly have a strong working relationship as well as the advocacy of an intimacy coordinator. Vanessa Coffey fills that role on the prequel after doing the same on Outlander, so the show certainly recruited somebody with experience in that world of period drama romance. Jeremy Irvine shared his own take:

It remains to be seen just how much romance Outlander: Blood of My Blood will deliver for Julia and Henry in Season 1. While Brian and Ellen only seem to be getting closer, Julia and Henry were separated before traveling back in time, and Julia currently doesn’t even know that her husband is anywhere other than post-WWI Scotland. If nothing else, I predict that fans should probably prepare for some yearning!

See what’s next for the love stories of Outlander: Blood of My Blood on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on Starz, or streaming on Hulu or the Stars app. After Harriet Slater wore more than thirty feet of tartan silk for the premiere and the promise of a second season, there’s plenty of buzz surrounding the new show.

Starz's world of 18th century Scotland will soon return with the premiere of Outlander: Blood of My Blood in the 2025 TV schedule. While at least some of the action will be set in the 20th century with Claire's parents, a time travel twist will bring them back in time to encounter Jamie's family members in their own time. Fans of the early seasons of Outlander may remember that scenes set in 18th century Scotland can mean a whole lot of warriors wearing kilts, and Blood of My Blood viewers can expect more of the same in the prequel.

When I spoke with cast members of the upcoming series, they weighed in on the perks of the garment, and reminded me of one thing Sam Heughan didn't like about filming the original series in the kilt.

What Sam Heughan Said About Filming In A Kilt

Now, to be clear, Sam Heughan has said far more good things than bad about wearing a kilt to play Jamie Fraser, and shared why he'd missed wearing it after story reasons meant the Scots couldn't wear their traditional tartan for a time. Co-star Duncan LaCroix (who played the original Murtagh) echoed the sentiment, saying it was "incredibly comfortable to wear and quite very practical" for battle scenes. That said, Heughan did once share one very specific way that wearing a kilt could be horrible for filming Outlander, telling People:

If he had one "horrible" thing he could name back in 2016 compared to many more "great benefits" when filming in a kilt, then I'd say Outlander's wardrobe choices were a hit for its leading man. Plus, Heughan literally went on to star in a travel series called Men in Kilts alongside former Outlander co-star Graham McTavish! And that brings me to what the Blood of My Blood actors told me ahead of the upcoming premiere of their prequel series.

What The Blood Of My Blood Cast Told Me About Kilts

I was fortunate enough to speak with the stars of Outlander: Blood of My Blood during San Diego Comic-Con, with Hermione Corfield even sharing how paparazzi almost spoiled the series' big time travel twist. Three of the actors who will be playing 18th century Highlanders had plenty to say about wearing kilts, and it turns out that they could relate to what Sam Heughan and Duncan LaCroix said years earlier. Sam Retford, who plays the young Dougal MacKenzie, shared:

Those perks certainly can't be said about most items of clothing nowadays! (I for one count myself lucky if I can find a dress with pockets.) Rory Alexander, who plays the younger version of Outlander's fan favorite, picked up where Retford left off:

The kilt having plenty of fantastic uses doesn't mean that the garment was easy for the actors to master right off the bat, as Sam Retford went on to admit. Even now that the cast is in the midst of filming Season 2 thanks to the very early renewal, he isn't yet an expert at donning the tartan. He shared:

The situation is a bit different for Seamus McClean Ross, who plays the young version of Colum MacKenzie. The Outlander version of the character, played by Gary Lewis, had a shorter tenure as part of the cast than either Dougal or Murtagh, but Outlander also guarantees that Colum can stick around just as long as any of the others.

That said, Ross alluded to the condition that often kept Colum off his feet on the original series when he explained the younger version's wardrobe choices, saying:

These three won't be the only ones wearing tartan in the new show with what seems to be the majority of the scenes set in the 18th century. That of course depends on when the time travel twist that brings Julia a couple hundred years back in time takes place, but the trailer offers some clues. Take a look:

Outlander: Blood of My Blood arrives on Starz with two back-to-back episodes on Friday, August 8 starting at 8 p.m. ET. With the first footage of Outlander Season 8 also confirming that the original series won't be back with its final season until 2026, Blood of My Blood can still take viewers back to the world of Claire and Jamie... just a generation earlier than the original.

Sam Heughan is on the verge of hitting a personal milestone. In just a matter of days, the beloved Scottish actor is set to turn 45, which may be hard for some fans to believe. (Seriously, when looking at him, it’s hard to tell if he’s truly aged that much, as he still has that youthful glow.) Heughan is certainly keeping active ahead of his big day, though, as he participated in a major event this weekend. The star took part in the London Marathon, and fans flooded social media to share their congratulations and other well wishes.

It was on Instagram that Sam Heughan chose to open up about his experience at the London Marathon. The Outlander star was among many to make their way across the 26.2 mile course amid the men’s and women’s races. In photos he shared, Heughan can be seen showing off his sweet medal and snapping photos with others. On top of the fact that he finished, Heughan also managed to raise almost £40,000 for blood cancer awareness. Check out the post below:

The London Marathon was founded in 1981 and is held annually, drawing plenty of people who seek to put the pedal to the figurative metal. As a former runner myself, I applaud anyone who partakes in the event, and that admiration goes up even more when there’s a charitable aspect to it all. After the Bloodshot star completed the race, plenty of fans took to social media to hype him up. Their comments on X were chock full of positivity and praise:

• Congrats to #SamHeughan for finishing the 45th London Marathon just shy of his 45th birthday!! So happy to support him and his fundraising efforts 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 - @sleepylover215
• Sam Heughan: the man, the myth, the marathon legend!💪🏼🏅 He absolutely smashed it!👏🏼 So proud of him!🥹🙌🏼 That winning smile and medal bite say it all!🥹❤️🥰 - @ExplosionOfLove
• Congratulations to Coach Sam. What a great race for a great cause. To think he said he wasn’t feeling great going into the marathon and yet his splits were faster as the race went on. Wow - @staceystring
• Reason #126 why I'm a Sam fan. Runs marathons whilst raising funds for worthy causes. - @peekaboo_jen

Sam Heughan is far from the only public figure who’s run a notable marathon. Years ago, Ashton Kutcher ran the New York Marathon, and he had quite a unique experience. The star ended up running the event with a police detail in tow, and he also competed under an alias. Former GMA3 hosts Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes ran in the NY Marathon as well, and their interest in participating in such events has been well-noted. It takes more than a notion to run in a marathon, and you better believe a lot of training goes into it.

Of course, aside from his recent brush with athletics, Heughan has been busy in other regards. He’s since wrapped on Outlander Season 8, which will conclude the fan-favorite show. With production now at an end, Heughan is hoping to take home a kilt, and I really hope he gets that wish. Otherwise, he’s already landed a new show, a spicy thriller called The Couple Next Door.

Between his completion of the London Marathon, the continued influx of work he receives and his upcoming 45th birthday, Sam Heughan has a lot to celebrate. I hope the coming year proves to be fruitful for him and allows him the opportunity to have other great experiences. On that note, let’s raise a pint to the birthday boy and wish him the best!

It's natural that actors have those co-stars that they love to collaborate with. And, in some cases, they may feel somewhat protective of those working relationships. Funny enough, Outlander’s Sam Heughan and Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey share an on-screen partner -- a horse. Yes, both actors worked with the same four-legged animal, with Bailey having worked with it on both the aforementioned Netflix series and the film Wicked. And, when broached about that topic, Heughan became humorously defensive.

While doing press for the Oscar-nominated Wicked, JKBailey appeared on Late Night With Seth Meyers as shared on YouTube, where he admitted to requesting a horse named Jack be hired to play a horse belonging to his character, Fiyero, in the film, after working with the animal on Bridgerton. The Fellow Travelers actor went on and on about his connection with Jack. Well, when Sam Heughan caught wind of Bailey’s comments, he hilariously set the record straight in an interview with Parade:

Do I sense a playful celebrity feud brewing? How this horse got two of TV’s biggest heartthrobs wrapped around his hoof, I have no idea, but I think it is absolutely hilarious. I love the banter and friendly dig at the competing historical drama too and, knowing Jonathan Bailey, he will probably respond by matching Heughan’s energy.

I have to admit though, the Love Again actor has a point when it comes to who knew Jack first. Outlander premiered six years before Bridgerton debuted on Netflix and, even then, Jack wasn’t featured until Anthony's season. While the Starz series does have a bit more action than the Shonda Rhimes-produced romance show, the Regency romance has its fair share of suspenseful moments. Also, neither show is lacking in the department of swoon worthy romance. (But that’s besides the point here, Heughan!)

Regardless, oblivious to both men, Jack was saddling up to both of them. Upon finding out his coworker’s secret frolics, Mr. Malcolm’s List actor had only one thing to say to his four-legged friend:

It would seem this “scandal” will coincide with the end of Jack and Jamie Frasier’s partnership, as the historical fantasy drama has officially wrapped its decade-long run. The eighth (and final) season is set to premiere sometime this year and promises to answer all the questions left by the shocking Season 7 cliffhanger.

Unfortunately, we will most likely not be seeing Bridgerton Season 4 alongside Outlander this year. However, we do know production on Benedict Bridgerton’s upcoming season is in full swing, and the Broadchurch actor will reprise his role as the Viscount.

Thankfully, Jack will be seen alongside Jonathan Bailey in Wicked: For Good, which opens later this year. If you're thinking to yourself, does Bailey ever rest, the answer is no. Yet it must be nice to see a familiar long face on multiple sets.

Personally, I hope fans do receive some good behind-the-scenes pics of Bailey and Jack, but I have a feeling the Spy Who Dumped Me actor does not share my sentiments. Still, you can help Heughan get over this heartbreak by checking out his debut on the spicy Starz thriller, The Couple Next Door. Also, Jack’s performances on both Bridgerton and Outlander are available to watch with a Netflix subscription, so I’ll leave it up to the fans to determine who the handsome horse has better chemistry with.

The seventh season of Outlander ends in the 2025 TV schedule on January 17, concluding the adventures of Claire and Jamie Fraser on the small screen until Season 8. Losing Sam Heughan as Jamie for the foreseeable future doesn't mean that the actor will be absent from Starz, though, and the network actually scheduled the long-awaited premiere of his spicy new show for immediately after the Outlander Season 7 finale. Speaking with CinemaBlend, Heughan explained why Outlander fans should stick around Starz to check out The Couple Next Door's premiere.

The end of one show's season and premiere of another's line up thanks to Outlander taking a break ahead of the finale, and fans who watch Sam Heughan as Jamie live on Starz on Friday nights at 8 p.m. ET can next find him at 9:05 p.m. ET for his debut as the dashing Danny on The Couple Next Door, without even changing the channel. Not only do Danny and his wife Becka (Jessica De Gouw) introduce their new neighbors Evie (Eleanor Tomlinson) and Pete (Alfred Enoch) to the idea of an open relationship on The Couple Next Door, but Heughan's traffic cop character has a dark secret to keep.

There are secrets, stalkers, a motorcycle that nearly deserves its own place in the credits, and plenty of spice within the six-episode series. I can vouch that it's an exciting story, but Danny definitely isn't Jamie Fraser 2.0 and neither of the leading ladies copy their performances after Caitriona Balfe as Claire. So, why should Outlander fans check it out? I asked Sam Heughan that very question during Starz's recent press day for The Couple Next Door, and he shared:

After watching the series for myself, I can safely say without any spoilers that I did not need a cup of tea to stay awake for the intrigue of The Couple Next Door! As Heughan pointed out, his new show is "completely different" from Outlander, and certainly won't be confused with Men in Kilts as Heughan's Starz travel series.

Plus, depending on how Outlander wraps Season 7, fans may be ready for something different when the final credits roll. After all, the time travel series based on Diana Gabaldon's novel saga can get quite emotionally heavy to close out seasons. The show also tends to have very long hiatuses, and Season 8 may not debut until much later in 2025. Why not watch Sam Heughan's new show to help pass the time?

In case you're still not sold, check out the trailer for The Couple Next Door below:

Tune in to Starz on Friday, January 17 at 9:05 p.m. for the series premiere of The Couple Next Door, immediately following the Season 7 finale of Outlander. The title of the first episode is "Welcome to Suburbia," and the trailer suggests that it won't take long for the show to reveal that there's a lot more to life in these suburbs than Evie and Pete expected. You can also stream the new show on Starz platforms, including Starz with a Hulu subscription.

The Season 7 finale of Outlander is nearly here in the 2025 TV schedule, and the penultimate episode raised the stakes just about as high as they've ever been for Claire and Jamie. Claire was shot in the belly, and unfortunately, the best surgeon for the job of saving her life is the ailing Claire herself. Jamie was a combination of furious, devastated, and panicked, with a pretty masterful performance by Sam Heughan. That said, what should have been a stressful cliffhanger just made me sigh ahead of the finale, because I'm maxed out on near-death experiences.

Okay, technically Outlander hasn't yet guaranteed that Claire will survive and make her gunshot wound a near-death rather than certain death situation, but short of Caitriona Balfe playing a ghost or appearing exclusively via flashbacks in Season 8, we can safely say that her character isn't going to perish in the Season 7 finale. (Plus, both Heughan and Balfe are in the video about the final day of filming.) And that just makes me wish that the show would lean harder into cliffhangers that actually give reason for concern.

Claire being shot might have stressed me out more if Outlander hadn't previously tried to sell suspense about Jamie's "death" when his ship went down during the passage from Scotland to the future United States. That wasn't long ago, after all, and there was so little doubt that he would come back that the only tear-jerking moment of that episode for me was the death of the elder Ian Murray.

If anything, Jamie's "death" was interesting for putting relationships to the test once he came back and the pure chaos of William learning the identify of his real father. I just couldn't quite go along with Claire's grief the way I did in earlier Outlander losses, such as her miscarriage back in Season 2, because I didn't believe it.

Of course, Claire believing that Jamie was dead led to some standout performances from Caitriona Balfe as well as David Berry, just as Claire's situation as of the end of the penultimate episode had Sam Heughan more than rising to the occasion of showing Jamie's devastation and his fury as he quit his command to stay by the side of his (as far as he knows) dying wife.

None of this is to say that it wasn't a big way to end the last episode before the Season 7 finale, and I'm definitely curious to see how Outlander can wrap anything up by the time the final credits roll. If there are any more incidents that seem to lead to the deaths of major characters, though, I just hope that those characters aren't Jamie, Claire, or Young Ian. (I'm not too worried about Ian either.)

I was nervous for Lord John's life a few episodes ago, since he's an important but not necessarily essential character to make it to the final season. Even William's end could have been nigh after he was taken captive by Hessians, and I'd be keeping an eye on Denzell Hunter in the upcoming finale if not for the fact that he might be the only one who can follow Claire's instructions capably enough to save her. Come on, Outlander, and save the scary near-deaths for characters who might actually die!

Will I be eating my words by the end of the Season 7 finale? That's entirely possible, and Outlander has certainly delivered tragedies that are much harder to watch than some of the deaths. Whatever happens to end the season, at least the wait isn't too much longer. The final episode of Outlander's seventh (and second-to-last) season will air on Friday, January 17 at 8 p.m. ET on Starz.

Spoilers ahead for Episode 11 of Outlander's seventh season, which aired on December 6.

The long-awaited second half of Outlander Season 7 in the 2024 TV schedule keeps delivering huge twist after huge twist, ranging from the death of the elder Ian Murray to William saving Rachel and Ian from Arch Bug. That said, I'm not sure if the Starz hit has ever been more chaotic than the Episode 11 ending. Jamie returned from the dead, Claire and Lord John were newlyweds, William found out who his real biological father is, and Jamie took Lord John hostage when the house was stormed by redcoats. Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan spoke with CinemaBlend about it and the upcoming repercussions!

Admittedly, a lot of Episode 11 – called "A Hundredweight of Stones" – was a somber affair, since the characters weren't as lucky as viewers to have a pretty good idea that Jamie was 100% alive. Claire and Lord John sleeping together was certainly a curveball, but nothing compared to the final three minutes. (Yes, I timed it when I streamed to rewatch via my Hulu subscription with Starz.) When I spoke with the Outlander stars during Starz's Season 7B press junket, I had to ask about the wild sequence with all the moving pieces, and Sam Heughan shared:

A "huge rift" – as Sam Heughan put it – seems inevitable, given that Jamie has come back to find out that Claire quickly married Lord John after word of his demise made it back to Philadelphia, with Claire once again stuck in a situation of accidentally having two husbands still alive... but without an Outlander time travel twist this time like her situation with Frank and Jamie (and possibly Jamie's ghost).

So perhaps it's no wonder that Caitriona Balfe described Claire's situation with Lord John as "very shocking," prompting Sam Heughan to joke that "she does know how to pick them" and Balfe to laugh that "she just likes to collect rings and husbands." More serious, the actress went on to share her reaction to Claire's latest marriage:

The Outlander team kept intimacy coordinator Vanessa Coffey on board after Sam Heughan brought her in for Season 6, and the sex scene between Claire and John – in which they both knew the other was imagining Jamie in their place – was filmed differently than most of the other intimate sequences on the show. Which is probably for the best, considering the circumstances for both characters, deep in mourning!

Caitriona Balfe went on, acknowledging that fans pretty much knew that Jamie wasn't really dead, which was a safe bet based on the trailer that came with the premiere date and the stars sharing messages when they wrapped on Season 8. She said:

Based on the fact that Season 7B is only partway finished and how Heughan teased the rift on the way, I'd say that there's plenty more drama and challenges on the way, even if not every episode ends as chaotically as "A Hundredweight of Stones." For a taste of what's up next. check out the promo for Episode 12 with Jamie openly among the living:

Don't miss the next episode of Outlander, airing on Friday, December 13 at 8 p.m. ET on Starz. All in all, for as much as fans have been rooting for Claire and Jamie for seven seasons now, part of me can't help but feel bad for Lord John being pulled into their chaos whenever their paths cross. It sure is entertaining to watch, though!

In addition to new episodes weekly on Starz, you can also check out previous episodes streaming with a Netflix subscription now.

It’s one thing to ken that Outlander will be ending, but it’s quite another to see the evidence piled right before your face from cast members like Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe. But all good things must come to an end, and that is what is happening with Starz’s flagship TV series, as the cast and crew took to social media to say their goodbyes this weekend.

The drama is getting an outsized run before it finishes. Outlander Season 7 (Part 2) will hit the 2025 TV schedule, with Season 8 still to follow. However, the show takes time to edit and put together, and the cast and crew have wrapped on filming over the last few weeks. This weekend, showrunner Matthew B Roberts announced the show is finally well and truly finished with a sweet post paying homage to the team, the fans, and of course, Scotland. He noted it’s been the” journey of a lifetime,” writing,

He also wrote the series has “changed” him “both personally and professionally” and had fond thoughts about starting as a writer and shifting into the showrunner role later. His words spoke to the “brilliant cast and the crew” and also the fans who have “kept us going and made this all possible.” See his full Instagram post.

If I wasn’t already in my feels before getting to the end of his three paragraph comment, I certainly was after. Yet, he’s not the only part of the Outlander family to wrap this week. Sam Heughan also shared a post over the weekend, and while it’s tragically more tricorn hat than kilt, his sentiment was also very memorable. The actor wrote that it’s been “hard to say goodbye,” which makes sense.

The show has been on the air since August of 2014 and started filming nearly a year before that in October of 2013. It’s been more than a decade for leads like Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe, who were a part of the series from the very beginning. That’s a huge swathe of one’s career to spend on one show, and for the two leads, it was a role that really helped both of them break out in mainstream Hollywood.

For Balfe, the theme she really wanted to hammer home after pickups and reshoots were finally over was how much playing Claire changed her life. Her post also spoke to the fans, cast and crew, though I like how she shouted out Ron Moore and Diana Gabaldon too. Classy move.

Outlander has been slow roll wrapping over the past few weeks and the final day of regular filming for Season 8 went down on September 27th. Sophie Skelton, who plays Brianna Randall Fraser on the series, actually shared her post wrapping a few weeks ago, but her sentiment was very similar to what the remainder of the cast was feeling this weekend.

In addition, the cast shared a fun video as some people were finishing up a few weeks ago in which they admitted what they wanted to steal from the Outlander set. So, yes, it’s been a bit of a slow roll for people to say goodbye to the series. And again, there’s more to come with the Season 7, Part 2 premiere slated for November 22.

Now, Starz, can we please can we get more Spartacus updates?

The long-awaited return of Outlander Season 7 is nearly at an end... relatively speaking, anyway, after more than a year passed since the first half of Season 7 aired! The arrival of Season 7B in the 2024 TV premiere schedule won't come any sooner than November short of fans learning the tricks of Outlander time travel, but Sam Heughan dropped some comments about relationships that are worth mulling over as the end of hiatus approaches. All in all, there's one relationship that I need to not be "broken," in Heughan's words.

Sam Heughan spoke with EW about what comes next for the Frasers after their arrival back in Scotland at the end of the Season 7 midseason finale, and some of his teases sound great for fans who have been missing the locale of the earlier seasons... but foreboding in another way. At least, foreboding if you're anything like me and quite attached to the friendship between Jamie and Lord John Grey. Heughan said:

Sign me up to support Jamie and Lord John as a friendship that is revisited and entwined rather than put to rest! I'm not familiar with author Diana Gabaldon's source material to this point in the story, so I can't say with certainty, although David Berry does appear in a Season 7B first-look photo with Caitriona Balfe. So, we know that he's coming back and he'll be sharing a scene with at least Claire.

Admittedly, Lord John hasn't been too significant a character in Season 7 to this point, as he only appeared in Episode 2 and ended on a high-stakes but tense note with Jamie. Still, with confirmation that David Berry is in the second half of Season 7 and Sam Heughan's tease of the Frasers going back to the American Revolution, it's very possible that the old friends will once again have to face being on opposite sides of a war that one of them knows is doomed for the other. Is "star-crossed friendship" a thing, after all the complications that they've endured?

This also strikes me as one of the relationships worth worrying about, as it feels quite safe to say that Jamie and Claire are rock solid in their romance in the second half of Season 7. Young Ian and Rachel seem on a pretty straight path to love as long as Arch Bug doesn't get his revenge, Roger and Brianna were happy with their little family until Jemmy was kidnapped, and I'm optimistic about Fergus and Marsali ahead of their returns in Season 8. It's just hard to be confident that John and Jamie will be on the same page again.

For now, we can only wait and see. At least the wait now has an end in sight! Outlander returns to Starz on Friday, November 22 at 8 p.m. ET. A prequel is on the way as well, so be sure to check out our breakdown of what we know about Outlander: Blood of My Blood's premiere date and more.

While the wait is still on for the second half of Outlander Season 7 in the 2024 TV schedule, the cast has been hard at work on the eighth and final season. Now, almost exactly two months before Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe return to our TV screens, the show has wrapped filming and some fun behind-the-scenes pics reveal what the cast members are hoping to snag from set. All are worthy choices, but I think Heughan edges out the rest.

The Outlander account on Instagram confirmed that Friday, September 27 was the last day of filming on Starz's hit series, which may or may not solve all the mysteries of Outlander time travel before the final credits roll. The longtime stars as well as some Season 7 newcomers and others who haven't been around for a while all posed. Take a look:

The cast members all had great picks for what they want to take home with them, and it's really only fitting that Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan are together in the first photo wanting to take "EVERYTHING!" Some of my personal favorites include Richard Rankin, who wants to leave his role as Roger behind with "MY DIGNITY"; Balfe wanting to take "A NAP" complete with some Zs; and John Bell eyeing his "Tomohawk & War Club" with a marker drawing of the weapons.

I do feel like the post saved the best for last with Heughan listing "JAMIE'S KILT?!" as his choice, because he really went above and beyond with a full drawing of Jamie wearing his kilt. Is it a great drawing? Maybe not, but nobody is going to win any art awards with a dry erase board! Plus, Jamie having to leave the tartan behind more and more over the years hasn't stopped kilt talk from continuing, with Heughan admitting that he missed wearing the garment in Season 4 before its comeback in Season 6.

And I do think Sam Heughan's odds of getting to take home a kilt from his years of Outlander are much better than Sophie Skelton's of getting the Mustang. The leading man also shared a bunch of pictures of his own, going back to his early days as the tartan-wearing Jamie. Check out his post:

Jamie may be iconic for wearing the kilt in the early seasons, but as the photos reminded me, Sam Heughan has also spent a fair amount of time covered in fake blood and wearing wigs of varying levels of tidiness over the years. His caption is sweet as well, with a special mention for Caitiona Balfe as his "brilliant partner in crime."

While it's bittersweet to see the end of an era, fans actually have quite a bit of content to watch before the series finale. The very long-awaited second half of Season 7 will premiere on Friday, November 22 at 8 p.m. ET on Starz. In the meantime, you can always revisit previous seasons streaming with a Netflix subscription for a refresher on Claire and Jamie's earliest days together.

Tons of celebrities have been caught rocking out to Taylor Swift over the past year-plus as she’s traveled the world on her Eras Tour. Some, including “Wildest Dreams” lover Dax Shepard and Swift’s BFF Blake Lively have even made it out to her international dates (with the kids in tow, of course). When the "Karma" singer takes the stage in Scotland this weekend, she’ll have even more famous faces in the crowd, as Sam Heughan and the cast of Outlander are set to attend, and the actor had quite an amusing prediction about what will go down. 

Outlander, which returns to Starz in November for Part 2 of its seventh season, has developed quite the reputation for its steamy sex scenes, and it sounds like Sam Heughan is confident that while T-Swizzle is a lot of things, she’s not impervious to the charm of a man in pineapple swim briefs. You have to hear what the JAMMF actor said (and apologies in advance to Travis Kelce): 

There are undoubtedly plenty of women who would be willing to take Sam Heughan up on that offer, but he better watch out for the Swifties, because they love them some Travis Kelce — aka the guy who’s been in a relationship with Taylor Swift for the better part of a year. Despite not being able to utter the NFL star’s name, Heughan’s comments were absolutely hilarious, as he predicted that Swift seeing him could be a game-changer for the “Fortnight” singer. The actor’s exact words were: 

It’s fun to think about the cast of Outlander going on a group outing ahead of their eighth and final season. I can’t wait to see if they post any of the special moments they’re bound to experience at the Eras Tour, whether that’s Taylor Swift's surprise songs acoustic set, any of the songs Swifties have been rewatching nonstop on Disney+ or even possibly something from her new The Tortured Poets Department set of the tour.

Again, no disrespect to Travis Kelce, but fans seemed to love the idea of Sam Heughan being a Swiftie, as they hit the comments to say things like:

• Make her a friendship bracelet, Sam - I hear that works. 😉 – joannaboonenyc
• I’m shitting myself this is too funny – breejstrachan
• So funny! I love this and literally this same thing runs through all our heads when we see you! Haha! – annabananasplit20
• OMG...you're dream is coming true...move over Travis.😂🙌❤️ – outlandereveryday
• Travis Kelce, it might be time to grab your passport and a kilt and defend your ladies honor 😍 – mimi.1227
• Could you get any cuter! OMG! Hope you share vids with us. – jackiebodick

Too bad Sam Heughan can’t use Outlander’s time travel tricks to go back a year to shoot his shot with the music superstar. Be sure to check out all of Taylor Swift’s upcoming projects, and if you need to catch up on Outlander, the first six seasons can be streamed with a Netflix subscription. 

The Droughtlander is going to be over sooner than you think, because the second part of Outlander’s supersized seventh season is hitting the 2024 TV schedule on November 22. However, that’s not all the exciting news we got on “World Outlander Day,” because the Starz series also announced some exciting additions to its eighth and final season.

Starz Announced Outlander’s Season 7 Premiere Date With A Teaser Trailer

Following the thrilling events of Outerlander’s Season 7, Part 1, Starz finally announced when the second installment will premiere. Starting Friday, November 22, fans will be able to see where Claire and Jamie’s story goes as the beloved couple and Young Ian travel from the colonies to Scotland. In the weeks that follow, you can witness this tale unfold as new episodes debut every Friday on the Starz network at 8 p.m. ET and midnight ET on the Starz app. 

The premiere date also came with a little look into what we can expect from the eight episodes that are coming, check it out:

That trailer sure has me intrigued. Following Outlander’s mid-Season 7 finale last summer, we knew that Jamie, Claire and Young Ian would be heading back to where this story began per Simon’s request for his remains. Plus, Roger and Brianna are facing “new enemies across time,” the statement from Starz read, adding to the ever-present suspense that comes with time traveling in Outlander.

The release begs the question: “Can the MacKenzies and Frasers find their way back to each other?” And the teaser confirms that tension and violence are coming in the second half of Season 7, which is both thrilling and nerve-wracking, especially since we now know exactly when we’ll see it all go down.

However, that’s not all the exciting news we got, because we also received a thrilling update about the final season of the beloved fantasy series.

Outlander Season 8 Has Added Three New Cast Members

Along with Season 7’s massive update, we got some great news about Season 8, which is currently filming in Scotland and will be ten episodes long. It was announced by Starz that Kieran Bew, Frances Tomelty and Carla Woodcock will be joining the cast for the final episodes. 

While details about their characters were kept fairly under wraps, but we do have their names and very short descriptions. 

Kieran Bew will play the retired British soldier Captain Charles Cunningham. Frances Tomelty is taking on the role of Captain Cunningham’s mother, Elspeth Cunningham. And rounding the new cast out, Carla Woodcock will play Amaranthus Grey, a member of the Grey family, however, her specific association with them is unknown.

It’s obviously a bit of a bummer to think about the Outlander era coming to a close with Season 8. However, it’s going to be wonderful to see how this sweeping epic comes to an end. 

All around, both these updates are so exciting for Outlander fans, and it only adds to the anticipation for the second half of Season 7 as well as the final season of the long-running romantic fantasy series. So, make sure you go back and watch the first six seasons with a Netflix subscription, so you are ready to dive back into this epic tale when it returns in November on Starz.

Fans of Outlander have gone without any new episodes since back in August 2023, and the latest Droughtlander wait for the second half of Season 7 isn't ending any time soon in the 2024 TV season. Production on the eighth and final season in underway, however, and stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan shared a behind-the-scenes look at what's going on. While there's not much to glean from the set around them, they do reveal the exciting returns of two familiar faces: Lauren Lyle and César Domboy as Marsali and Fergus! And honestly, the first footage of them BTS is already making me excited to see them again.

Lyle and Domboy haven't been back as Marsali and Fergus since the back half of Season 6, which in Outlander teams means nearly two years ago. The characters had plenty to tend to off-screen while Jamie, Claire, and Co. were in the early stages of the American Revolution, but the stars are back in costume behind the scenes on Season 8. Take a look:

An era truly is ending for Outlander! While I of course love the banter between Lauren Lyle, César Domboy, and the actors who play their characters' adoptive parents, the moment that put the biggest smile on my face was seeing Lyle and Domboy playing a hand clapping game – known as "Slide" in my neck of the woods – in the background before Caitriona Balfe turned the camera their way.

That would be pretty cute for any co-stars behind the scenes, but it's particularly fun with Lyle and Domboy considering Fergus lost his hand back in Season 3 due to some violent English soldiers. His struggles with having to wear the 18th-century version of a prosthetic have been a continuing story for him, and that storyline got pretty dark for Fergus and Marsali in Season 6. But the actors don't have the same issues to deal with together, and seeing Domboy playing a hand clapping game while wearing Fergus' fake hand definitely made me laugh.

Plus, the Outlander Instagram account hit the comment section to promise that the video is "NOT April Fool's" and therefore not a fakeout. I for one was more than ready for some exciting news on the Outlander front beyond just the upcoming Blood of My Blood spinoff, since the latest update on the second half of Season 7 was less thrilling. Also via Instagram, Outlander confirmed that Part 2 of Season 7 won't premiere until November, with no official date confirmed. So, that could mean as soon as just after Halloween or as late as nearly December.

The second half of the seventh season seems poised to deliver some good old-fashioned Outlander time travel. Although I wasn't 100% sold on the Jemmy plot twist in the midseason finale last August, I'm as bummed as anybody that Season 7B won't be back until November. The assumption had been that a supersized Season 7 would mean less of a Droughtlander between blocks of episodes, and that clearly won't be the case.

For now, you can revisit every season of Outlander so far streaming with the Starz add-on to a Hulu subscription and the first five seasons streaming with a Netflix subscription.

We may be in the midst of yet another Droughtlander as we await word on when Outlander Season 7 Part 2 will finally air, but it appears that such is not the case for those involved with bringing the romantic drama to our ever eager eyeballs. It was in January 2023 (before filming on Season 7 was done) that fans found out their beloved time travel story would end with Season 8, and we’ve been dreading the beginning of the end ever since. Now, I’m looking at this pic of the hit prepping its eighth and final season, and it’s really hard to believe it’s the end of an era!

What Have We Seen Of Outlander Prepping Season 8?

Uggghhhhhgghghg…Guys? As excited as we all are to hear news on what’s next for Claire and Jamie after the Season 7 midseason finale (not to mention when we can see it for ourselves), and get updates about the spinoff, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, what we actually want is for the time traveling romance with some of TV’s sexiest moments to last until every Fraser we’ve come to know has been buried in the family graveyard at Lallybroch. 

Alas, this shall not come to pass (unless the series finale is especially tragic), as Season 8 will see our last set of Outlander adventures. The episodes are about to begin filming, and, like, I cannot believe it. Just look!

Le sigh…It was difficult to believe that stars Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan had already been working on the show for a whole seven years back in 2021, now it’s coming up on a full decade since the historical drama debuted, and they appear to be quite happy to celebrate by getting to work on the final season.

Of course, the two have already fully admitted that filming this season is probably going to get them choked up. After all, they’ve become such good friends in real life and delivered such amazing on-screen chemistry that there’s a segment of the fandom that thinks they’re secretly a couple in real life, and that’s despite the fact that Heughan simply refuses to call Balfe back!

Not only have the Frasers been a big part of the actors’ lives, and led them to fame and more career opportunities, but they’ve also met and worked with a lot of amazing people during their time on Outlander. In late 2022, Heughan said he’d miss the “camaraderie” of the cast and crew whenever filming wrapped for good, and revealed that the vibe on set changed last year, once everyone began to “feel it” and realize that the end was nigh.

On top of that, well, there’s us! The fans are going to be devastated to see the show end, regardless of how fulfilling or hoped-for that finale ends up being when the eighth season delivers closing credits for the last time. But, at least we still have several episodes of intrigue and additional hot romance times to look forward to until then. Again, though…siiiiiiiigh.

After years of crushing it in the MCU as Nebula, most recently in Guardians of the Galaxy 3, the always splendid Karen Gillan is trading in the blue-hued skin for something a bit brighter and more yellow for her next high-profile role. The actress revealed that she will be popping up, or at least her voice will, for the next episode of The Simpsons, which will allow her to play into her Scottish roots in the best way possible. And the revealed earned some love from fellow native Sam Heughan.

As shared on her Instagram page, Gillan unveiled the wildly cool news that her first foray into the world of The Simpsons will also tap into another fan-favorite Scot. Here’s how she explained it:

And here's a first look at her character, who is certainly quite alluring for a schmo like Groundskeeper Willie. 

What's more, the episode airing December 3 won't be taking place in the usual spot of Springfield. As it's explained in the synopsis for the ep, titled "Ae Bonny Romance," Groundskeeper Willie gets kidnapped and whisked away to Scotland, with the Simpson family following. Playing a Scottish lass in a fictionalized version of her home country is a sweet gig, and fellow natives (and Outlander co-stars) Sam Heughan and Lauren Lyle shared their enthusiasm in Gillan's comments.

• Sam Heughan (Outlander): 🙌🙌
• Lauren Lyle (Outlander): This. Is. Incredible. Mon the Scot’s!

Not that the romantic drama stars were the only celebs to share some enthusiasm for Karen Gillan latest voice role. One of her Guardians of the Galaxy co-stars is totally pumped, as is fellow Mike Flanagan go-to actor Rahul Kohli, with whom she co-starred in the 2022 drama Near Exit. Check out what they and others had to say below.

• Pom Klementieff (Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy): Omg fucking amazing!!!!!!
• Rahul Kohli: (The Fall of the House of Usher): NO FUCKING WAY THAT IS AWESOME! ❤️
• Rose McIver (Ghosts): AMAZING!!! 🔥🔥🔥
• Chris Lowell (How I Met Your Father): This is huge.
• Eli Roth (Thanksgiving director): 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Check out another shot from the show, which makes it seem like Willie and this mystery romantic interest are at some kind of major event akin to a wedding, or perhaps a lively funeral.

In terms of live-action projects, Karen Gillan is currently hard at work filming the upcoming ITV dramedy Douglas Is Cancelled, as created by her former Doctor Who boss Steven Moffat. The series focuses on a respected news anchor (Hugh Bonneville) whose crass joke makes him a cancel culture target. (Which doesn't wholly sound unfamiliar to a situation that Homer Simpson would find himself in.) The new series will also star Alex Kingston, Nick Mohammed, Ben Miles, and Simon Russell Beale.

• RELATED: 32 Popular Simpsons Characters That Weren’t In The First Season

The Simpsons airs Sunday nights on Fox at 8:00 p.m. ET, with potential delays due to NFL games, and episodes are available to stream the next day with a Hulu subscription.

It’s almost hard to believe that it’s been two years since No Time To Die hit the screens, bringing Daniel Craig’s run as James Bond to a very definitive ending. Even before the movie was out we knew Craig was done as Bond, so the question of who the next Bond would be has been an ongoing debate among both fans and Vegas oddsmakers. One actor who has not been shy about his interest in the role is Sam Heughan, and he’s now listing the reasons he would be good in the role in case anybody is curious. 

Speaking with the UK’s Telegraph, Heughan reiterates his interest, making it clear that he would like to be considered for the role. But beyond wanting to be Bond, he does believe he would be a good Bond. Not only because he has the action chops, but can also bring a little something else to the part. He explained…

Action credentials are certainly key to being Bond, it’s a physical role that will require a lot of choreographed fight scenes, action driving, and shootouts. The emotional intelligence side of things hasn’t necessarily been a prerequisite for the character. I’m not sure we would say most portrayals of the character have that, but with the No Time To Die ending, we know the next Bond will be a “new” Bond, so maybe that’s something the new version of the character will have.

At this point, it’s anybody's guess who the next James Bond will be. Henry Cavill has been a strong frontrunner among oddsmakers for the last couple of years. More recently Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been rumored to be under consideration. More recently however, Barbara Broccoli has indicated that a “non-star” would absolutely be in the running for Bond, so it’s possible that a name that hasn’t been mentioned could end up in the part.

It’s not even entirely clear if the hunt for the next Bond is actually on right now or if Barbara Broccoli and co. are not quite ready to begin that process. It was four years between Bond movies when Daniel Craig took over from Pierce Brosnan, and Craig was only confirmed in the role as production on Casino Royale was getting underway, about a year before the movie opened in theaters. 

Of course, if we see a repeat of that timeline, it means 2024 will be the year we learn who the next James Bond will be. There will almost certainly be a lot of disappointed actors when that happens, but there will also be one whose career will likely be forever changed. 

All the way up through Season 7 of Outlander, we’ve seen Jamie Fraser rock some seriously epic kilts on the show. Well, the actor behind the Scottish lad, Sam Heughan is also a fan of the fashion statement, and he’s been known to rock the clothing item from time to time – he even has a show called Men in Kilts. My guy loves this look, and so do the ladies. And Kelly Clarkson made sure to ask him about that as she pondered if he could “pick up every woman in New York,” after he was seen in a dapper ensemble featuring a kilt.  

For some background, Sam Heughan was spotted on October 5 in New York City, rocking an epic kilt. While doing press in the Big Apple he was seen wearing a classy navy suit, big black combat boots and a navy kilt with red plaid lines. He also accessorized the look with some black sunglasses and a bag called a sporran. Overall, the ensemble was debonaire, and he looked extra charming. Take a look at the fit for yourself:

So, after seeing this photo, Kelly Clarkson asked Heughan about it when he appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Pulling up the incredible look, the singer and talk show host, said:

After Clarkson called it a “really fancy fanny pack,” and noted that she liked it, Heughan responded to her compliment about his dapper fit, saying:

While he skirted the question, he did give a wildly entertaining and informative answer about his outfit. I had no idea what a sporran was, and his A+ Doctor Who reference helped me understand just how useful the bag is. 

Even though Heughan did not disclose if the kilt helps him pick up ladies in this instance, he’s been very enthusiastic about his love for the Scottish clothing item for years now. While kilts come with challenges, like not having proper coverage when you sit in wet grass, as the actor once said, he has spoken about how much he loves his Scottish heritage and its fashion. The kilt even came back in Outlander, and he explained how it helped Jamie express “who he really is.” 

Heughan was on Kelly Clarkson’s show to promote his whisky brand Sassenach as well as his new book, Clanlands in New Zealand, which he co-wrote with his Outlander co-star and fellow man in a kilt, Graham McTavish. The book documents their trip to New Zealand, and notably, the cover features both men wearing kilts. And like the photo above, they both look fantastic. 

As we wait for the eighth and final season of Outlander, Sam Heughan is continuing to work on projects that highlight his Scottish heritage. Along with him and McTavish dropping a new season of Men in Kilts on the 2023 TV schedule this summer, their book is also set to release on November 7. 

So, while we wait for more Outlander and Clanlands in New Zealand, you can appreciate this wonderful photo of Sam Heughan wearing an incredible kilt, and then go watch the first five seasons of his Starz hit (which also features many kilts) with a Netflix subscription. 

When Love Again premiered on the 2023 movie schedule, it didn't get much attention, and its box officer performance showed it. However, when the rom-com starring Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra arrived on Netflix with lots of other movies in September, it became wildly popular. Now, it’s a hit for the streamer. 

Love Again hit theaters in May and ran through mid-June. During that time it made $12.7 million worldwide, per Box Office Mojo, with a reported production budget of $9 million. To put it bluntly, it did not do well in theaters. However, thankfully, the rom-com has found a new life on Netflix and it's been given a chance to find Love Again. 

Between September 2 and 3 Love Again climbed into Netflix’s Top 10 and earned 5.1 million hours of views, according to the streamer, putting it at No. 8 on the list. As of September 12, the rom-com is sitting at No. 7 in Netflix’s Top 10 Movies in the U.S. showing that it has had sustained interest over the last ten days.  

Even though Love Again flopped at the theater, it’s thriving on Netflix, and it makes sense. Rom-coms tend to do well on the platform, think of all the successful originals like To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Set It Up and The Kissing Booth (among others) found when they premiered. So, when a sweet romance movie about a woman who lost her fiancé and meets a new love by sending texts to his old phone number premieres on the streamer, it is logical that people would want to use their Netflix subscription to fall head over heels for it. 

Also, we’ve seen time and time again that movies and television shows can find completely new lives when they hit Netflix. Take Suits for example. While the show was a hit during its original run, the USA Network lawyer drama has dominated the streamer for the majority of the summer, and it found a totally new audience. The creator Aaron Korsh said folks could have tuned in for lots of different reasons, and he believes that “Netflix knows how to entice you to watch a television show and then that builds on itself.” 

Seeing a show or movie on the Top 10 list or having the latest addition recommended through the streamer can 100% entice viewers to tune in. I know I have. So, finding a second wind on a streaming service is not a new concept, and it’s clear that Love Again is benefiting from this right now. 

It’s also worth noting that both Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra, the stars of the Love Again cast, have massive fanbases in part because of their success on television. Considering how popular Outlander is on Netflix, I’m not shocked that Love Again has found its way into the Top 10, especially when you realize that both star the beloved Scottish actor. Along the same lines, Chopra found success in the U.S. through hit shows like Quantico. These devoted fanbases are likely down to watch just about anything these two stars are in, especially when it's easily available on Netflix and they can stream it from the comfort of their own couch. 

Overall, it’s always nice to see a movie get some extra love after not having the greatest turnout at the movie theater. Clearly, Love Again has found its audience on Netflix, and so many viewers are now able to watch Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopras’ sweet romance (that also happens to star Celine Dion) and fall in love with the sweet rom-com. 

To see what all the hype is about, you can stream Love Again on Netflix now.  

Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham returned to Starz in the 2023 TV schedule for Season 2, but Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish took their kilts (and their banter) beyond the shores of Scotland this time around. The two Outlander actors are traveling across New Zealand and discovering history that many might not be aware of... and in the deleted scene above from the latest episode, Heughan is also discovering that driving the campervan isn't as straightforward as it seems. For his part, McTavish was enjoying the struggle!  

This exclusive Men in Kilts deleted scene was cut from the August 18 episode of Men in Kilts that saw Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish immersing themselves in the rich culture of the Māori, as well as sharing a bit of their own. The episode that aired on Starz (and is available streaming) included some fun campervan moments, including McTavish showing off a semi-Texan accent at the beginning and the two men debating the pros and cons of driving while wearing kilts at the end. 

What viewers didn't see in the episode was Sam Heughan fighting with the horn, only to discover that it was an alert to tell him that he was trying to drive with the hand brake on. This isn't quite as educational as what the episode taught about Māori culture, but at least viewers now know that saying "Stop it, stupid campervan!"  and smacking the steering wheel will not in fact fix a blaring horn. 

In all seriousness, like the photo of Sam Heughan rocking pineapple swim briefs for the show, this clip is another example of how much fun Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish are as a duo and how different they are from their Outlander characters of Jamie Fraser and Dougal MacKenzie. With McTavish expected to reprise his role as Dougal in the second half of the super-sized Season 7 in 2024, it's possible that we'll get to see them on screen again in the scripted show, depending on whether Outlander just brings Dougal back via flashback. 

While Outlander fans won't get any new episodes until the new year, there is still plenty of New Zealand adventure ahead for Heughan and McTavish. Two of the four episodes are left, with the next on August 25 sending the two stars on an immersive food and wine tour of New Zealand local businesses. There will also be some more campervan shenanigans, based on the promo! Take a look: 

Keep tuning in to Starz on Fridays at 9:30 p.m. ET for new episodes of Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham, ahead of new episodes of Heels. You can also stream the show via the Starz app and all Starz streaming and on-demand platforms. If you want to revisit the first season with Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish's adventures across Scotland, those eight episodes are available streaming as well! 

Sam Heughan has great relationships with the cast of Outlander, to the point where he and his former co-star Graham McTavish created a separate series called Men in Kilts, in which the two go on adventures while teaching fans about the history of Scotland. This week that meant Sam donning tight pineapple swim briefs for Season 2. Of course, it’s the type of post fans of Outlander would be very interested in. 

Men in Kilts has been airing its second season as part of the 2023 TV schedule, and this time Heughan and McTavish have headed to New Zealand for the new episodes in order to explore their country's history and connections there.As Heughan undressed, he admitted, “We’ve done some, uh, stupid things in the past, but this one might take the biscuit.” As he’s talking, he also undresses to reveal some over-the-top swim bottoms that his co-star does not seem here for. 

You know who is here for those swim bottoms? The fans. In fact, they’ve come out in droves on the viral Men in Kilts post. One of the most popular is a gif of Sex and the City’s Kim Cattrall pulling up her sunglasses to get a better look. Other fans of the actor thought the moment was funny and very much achieved its goal of getting them to look. 

• He knows what he is doing. He knows he is responsible for a few sudden heart attacks.Never wanted to be a pineapple more. 🍍
• Only Sam could pull that off!!
• I'm dying 😂😂😂 A man in a speedo-type thing is always funny but Sam's oblivious attitude combined with that print pattern... I lost it 😂😂😂
• “This might take the biscuit.” It sure does!🤣🤣🤣🔥

Even parent network Starz got into the fun, calling Graham’s reaction “priceless.” Other fans seem to think Graham seemingly not knowing the moment was coming on camera was the best part by far.

• Graham's reaction is gold 
• The fact that Graham is speechless is the best part 😂😂😂😂 
• Graham's reaction 😂

The two actors have made Men in Kilts great thanks to over-the-top costuming bits (I’ve seen Heughan in a sequined robe before) and McTavish’s general reaction of disdain toward his co-star. There’s a clip of the actor telling Outlander’s Jamie star, ‘Yet again I find myself sitting within feet of you.” To which Heughan replied, ‘It’s a very fine space.” Without missing a beat, McTavish responded, ‘It’s quite disturbing.”

The two had this sort of relationship while filming Outlander, and have continued to banter in this way while their newer series has filmed. So, while the pineapple briefs and the banter may not be a “surprise” for the fans who follow both stars, it's certainly part of the reason they tune in. 

If you are into moments like these, there are more to come. Men in Kilts is still currently airing Season 2 episodes. In the meantime, the second half of Season 7 is also on the way, though we know Outlander plans to end after Season 8. Previously Sam Heughan was open about the “vibe” on set as the cast and crew prepped for the end. It's bittersweet, but hopefully there will be more Men in Kilts to fill the gap. 

We are now, finally, very close to the premiere of the new season of Outlander, with it joining the 2023 TV schedule on June 16. As those who follow the series know, much of the cast and crew, including stars Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan, have become quite close after working together for the past decade, and on a show with some famously intense scenes and some of television’s sexiest romantic moments. So, it makes sense that Balfe would have a pet peeve about her on-screen husband. Not only did they just argue about it, but I’m not sure who I agree with more.

What Is Caitríona Balfe’s Pet Peeve About Sam Heughan?

I realize that it can sometimes be difficult to fully separate actors from the character they’ve portrayed for a long time, especially when those actors are like Balfe and Heughan and seem to gleefully enjoy a real life friendship. Though they’ve done things like celebrate the anniversary of when Outlander first aired, with him saying Balfe is like a “sister and best friend” to him, there does appear to be a sticking point between them. 

While speaking with the Happy Sad Confused podcast recently, however, the Belfast actress revealed that she’s not too thrilled with Heughan’s refusal to call her, as he only leaves voice notes. After they argued about it, though, I really don’t know who’s position I support more:

Balfe: If you’re going to spend the time talking into the phone, just fucking call me. It’s not a monologue. It should be a conversation. 

Heughan: Counter argument here, I don’t have time to call you and I don’t really want to call you. 

Balfe: Exactly, that’s the point. It’s a fucking bullshit call. It’s like, ‘I kind of want to say something but I don’t really have time for you, so I’m just going to talk at you.’

Heughan: You like to text and texting you lose a lot of intonation, you lose the tone. Also with a voice note, you can leave someone a beautiful message, they can hear your voice, and they can reply in their own time. It’s a lot more personal than a text.

Balfe: Or call, and just have a fucking conversation.

First off, if anything, it’s very clear from Balfe’s salty language (which I totally approve of) that her co-star’s tendency to avoid actual phone conversations is really a problem for her. Secondly, while I agree with her basic argument (if you're gonna be talking into the phone anyway, it makes sense to just call), I also can’t fault the Love Again star’s position in this battle.

On its face, it likely sounds rather rude for him to succinctly say that he doesn’t have time to call his friend, or even, in fact, want to call her. But, really, who actually wants to talk on the phone? Is that a thing that people enjoy? I don’t know every person in the world, but I’m gonna say no; no one truly likes making phone calls or talking during them, even with people we really want to speak with. Heughan is just being honest and saying what we all think, so, kudos to him.

Also, he makes a very good point about texting. It can be very easy for the person on the other end of your missive to mistake a joke or sarcasm for something more serious, for example, because you can’t get the tone across as easily as with your voice. Though, I will say, I do prefer all written forms of communication to doing anything with my live, actual voice, but maybe that’s because I’m literally a writer, whereas the man who’s played Jamie Fraser for seven seasons actually talks for a living.

Look, I like both of these people, so I’m just hoping that because this argument over phone calls/voice notes hasn’t already broken their friendship beyond repair, it never will.

As Outlander fans rejoice in these last few days leading up to the premiere of the new season, we have lots to think about in our excitement. But, I’m sure that many viewers, while thrilled that this Droughtlander is nearly done, are already looking ahead to the not-too-distant future, as it was announced in January 2023 that Season 8 will be our final outing with Claire and Jamie Fraser. They’re not alone, either, as stars Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan talked recently about “getting choked up,” and more, when they realized the end was coming.

What Did Caitríona Balfe And Sam Heughan Say About Realizing That Outlander Would Be Ending Soon?

Though fans know that another on-screen love story is coming from the work of author Diana Gabaldon in the form of the prequel series, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, not to mention the quickly approaching Outlander Season 7 and the eventual debut of Season 8, we’re still lamenting the end of the romantic drama. As you might imagine, the same goes for those who’ve already spent a decade working on the series. 

When speaking at a 92nd Street Y event in New York City (via Parade) to celebrate the upcoming episodes, both stars were asked about their feelings once they fully realized that the eighth season will be the last, and Balfe said:

Both actors had worked in film and TV before nabbing their coveted roles in the beloved series that’s given audiences some television’s sexiest romantic moments, but were basically unknown to many before landing on our screens as Claire and Jamie. As Balfe noted, not only did it immediately raise their profiles, but that also brought them millions of fans and helped them on toward bigger careers than they’d had previously. And, while they’ve admitted to some downsides of the fandom, they’ve also maintained that many of the fan interactions have been “incredible,” so it’s good to know that they’ll miss us as much as we’ll miss them as the Frasers.

Heughan opened up in the fall of 2022 about knowing he’d miss the “camaraderie” of working with his co-stars and the crew when the show is over, and said in May 2023 that the vibe on set changed when they started to feel the end coming, while filming Season 7, a sentiment he echoed at this event, adding:

It makes total sense for everyone involved with the historical drama (and all the fans who’ve stuck with it for years) to be sad that it’s going away soon, but as Heughan noted, at least we know we’ll get a real end to the romantic and action-packed journey we’ve been on for so long.

After what has likely felt like the longest Droughtlander ever to many fans, we are finally just days away from the arrival of Outlander’s seventh season. The drama returns on June 16, and will kick off after the cliffhanger ending of Season 6, which saw Claire arrested for the murder of Malva Christie. While Sassenachs everywhere are simply dying to see how Jamie and his allies will rescue his wrongly accused wife, star Sam Heughan has now opened up about Jamie being “like a bull” in the premiere, and I really can’t wait to see that!

What Did Sam Heughan Say About Jamie In The Outlander Season 7 Premiere?

If you’ve never watched the time-traveling romance, and want to know what a fan would say about it, there are probably dozens of things that would spring to mind for the average viewer. And, one of the many things that keep us coming back to the show is just how committed Claire and Jamie have always been to each other, no matter how difficult life gets for them. 

At the world premiere for Outlander Season 7, during the Tribeca Film Festival (via Parade) the weekend before the show returns, Heughan opened up about what we’ll see from Jamie when the series debuts, and I definitely can’t wait to see this:

Oooooh weeee! Listen, I don’t like the idea of Jamie being stressed to the point of looking older and seeming frail, but I sure am on board with him being a “bull” in the season opener when it comes to working to retrieve Claire from an incredibly precarious situation!

Of course, the big question at the end of Season 6 was just how Jamie, Young Ian, and their cohorts would be able to save Claire once she was imprisoned in Wilmington. One of the reasons that we love Jamie is because he’s a kind, thoughtful, loving, and principled guy who always tries to do the right thing. But, one of the other reasons we love him is because he’s a fucking beast when Claire (or anyone he loves) is in danger.

The man is a warrior, and is always willing to lay down his life to save his woman. Jamie is great when he’s taking part in Outlander’s sexiest romantic moments, but I also adore watching him kick ass and take names to protect his family, and it sounds like we’re going to get a lot of that in the Season 7 premiere.

From what Heughan said at the event, it sounds like we can count on Claire’s salvation coming along rather quickly, though it will be in a pretty unexpected way. The season overall has been promised as one that’s “action packed,” and you can bet I’ll be in front of my TV to watch James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser deliver whatever blows are necessary.

Well, Sassenachs, the time we so look forward to every year is nearly upon us, as we will see the Droughtlander end in just a few days time when Outlander Season 7 finally debuts on June 16. Star Sam Heughan has already been getting fans pumped for the return of the romantic fantasy, but was recently asked about Titanic’s famed romance, and I think even Jack would agree with his assessment.

What Did Outlander’s Sam Heughan Say About Titanic’s Rose And Jack Romance?

Obviously, Heughan has now long been a part of one of TV’s most beloved romantic pairings. He and his co-star, Caitríona Balfe, have brought viewers some of television’s sexiest romantic moments over nearly a decade in Outlander’s best episodes, so it makes sense that when he was asked on the Happy Sad Confused podcast recently about whether or not Rose and Jack or Claire and Jamie have the best romance, he’d have an opinion ready to go. And, I do believe that even a frozen Jack would be on board with what he had to say:

Well, there you have it! Despite director James Cameron attempting to put the unstoppable Titanic door debate to rest with science, pretty much everyone still has a strong opinion on how Rose survived their ordeal while Jack perished. As anyone who has watched Outlander will know, there basically is no situation where Claire and Jamie aren’t willing to fight tooth and nail for one another’s survival, while also being completely willing to die for the other. 

Though Cameron has said that Jack needed to die because his “love is measured by the sacrifice” he makes to see Rose safely afloat, solo, on that door during the Titanic ending, it seems that Jamie’s portrayer is convinced that having their love story cut so short means that Rose was maybe not as in love as she seemed to be. 

A lot has happened to Claire and Jamie over six seasons, but I honestly can’t think of a single time where one has willingly left their partner in dire straits, despite the other’s insistence to do so. Sure, Claire did leave Jamie before the Battle of Culloden as he asked, but she was really resistant to it, and ultimately only did it because she didn’t want to potentially die/be imprisoned while pregnant with Brianna, especially after the tragic and traumatic loss of their first child.

I think, just maybe, if Claire and Jamie were ever to be faced with a Titanic door-style situation, they’d both decide to just die together, and that’s terribly sad, but also…awwwww, TRUE LOVE! 

We can all see how the couple sticks up for each other when Outlander returns to Starz on June 16.

My fellow Sassenachs! With each passing day we are finally getting closer to the end of our current Droughtlander, as one of the best shows to stream on Starz prepares to return. Outlander Season 7 is on the way this summer (June 16, to be exact), and while Sam Heughan has helped to get everyone pumped for the fantasy drama to return, we can’t help but think about Season 8, which will be the show’s last. After working on the seventh installment for nearly a year, the star has now revealed what the vibe was like on set as the cast started to “feel it” with regards to the end of the road.

What Did Outlander’s Sam Heughan Say About The Cast Realizing The End Of The Show Is Near?

Filming on the seventh season was still going on back in January when it was announced that everyone’s favorite time-traveling romance would be ending with Season 8. Despite leads Heughan and Caitríona Balfe already having worked on the series for basically a decade at this point, fans were still shocked that the show wouldn’t end with tenth season, seeing as how author Diana Gabaldon’s book series is planned to end with her upcoming tenth novel. 

While speaking with the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Heughan opened up about everyone making the decision to end with the eighth season while in production on Season 7, and how the vibe on set changed when the cast realized they were nearing the end, saying:

Though Outlander fans have been very grateful for every season we’ve gotten, it’s only been natural for us to think of the end, and when it might come, because we want so badly to see the on-screen story come to a satisfying conclusion. When you think about how difficult it must be for the actors to work on a series with a number of heavy, emotional scenes in each season, combined with how long it takes to film, you can see why they’d be ready to wrap it up. But, it’s also clear that this has been a big, important part of their lives for a long time, so it also tracks that it would lead to an “emotional” time on set, even when they still have a whole season left to film.

It was just last fall that the actor reflected on what he’d miss about filming the romantic drama, and noted that while the process is “hard work,” everyone was “in it together” and he’d miss the “camaraderie.” For now, though, fans still have two more seasons to look forward to, and when asked about the quickly approaching Season 7, he teased its virtues and how it will help get the story to its eventual end point:

So, while it will be sad to have to let go of Outlander in a few years time, at least it sounds like a plan is in place to get us there in a way that’ll make viewers pretty happy.

The world of romantic comedies and book-to-screen adaptations have converged in the form of Love Again. James C. Strouse’s adaptation of Sophie Cramer’s 2009 novel, SMS für Dich (which follows a grieving woman who sends romantic messages to her dead boyfriend’s old phone number every morning only for a reporter to receive them instead), is now in theaters, giving fans of the genre a chance to fall in love with its story and the actors who bring it to life.

Speaking of those actors…

There’s a good chance after watching Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan fall in love with one another, you’re wondering where you’ve seen the Love Again cast before. Well, worry no longer, for we have put together a list of why everyone looks so familiar. Well, except for Celine Dion, because who can forget her?

Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Mira Ray)

Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays one of the leads in Love Again with her portrayal of Mira Ray, a children’s book author and illustrator still struggling to overcome the death of her boyfriend two years ago. But, her journey of grief takes a drastic turn upon meeting Rob Burns.

An accomplished actress in her native India and Hollywood, Chopra Jonas has appeared in movies like The Hero, Krrish, Baywatch, Isn’t It Romantic, We Can Be Heroes, and The Matrix Resurrections. Her TV work is just as impressive, having led Quantico, and worked on the HBO Max hidden gem A World of Calm, and most recently, led the Prime Video original series, Citadel. 

Sam Heughan (Rob Burns)

Playing opposite Priyanka Chopra Jonas in the Love Again cast is Sam Heughan, who takes on the role of Rob Burns, the journalist who begins to fall in love with Mira after receiving texts sent to her dead boyfriend's old phone number.

Diehard fans of Outlander will instantly recognize Heughan from his portrayal of Jamie Fraser on the show that is about to kick off its seventh season. Let’s be real, though, even those who haven’t watched the show probably know about Heughan at this point. His other TV series include Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham, Suspect, and the upcoming, tantalizing The Couple Next Door. Heughan hasn’t made nearly as many film appearances over the years, but his list of credits is impressive with the likes of The Spy Who Dumped Me, Bloodshot, SAS: Red Notice, and multiple others. 

Celine Dion (Celine Dion)

Celine Dion shows up in the rom-com, playing a version of herself who works with Rob on his journey to find true love.

Throughout her decades-long singing career, which includes songs like “All By Myself,” “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” and the megahit “My Heart Will Go On” from the Titanic soundtrack, the multi-time Grammy winner has appeared in a handful of movies like Quest for Camelot and Muppets Most Wanted. She has also portrayed herself before on shows like The Nanny, Touched by an Angel, and Hell’s Kitchen. 

Russell Tovey (Billy)

Russell Tovey is in the film as Billy, Rob’s friend and colleague who helps him branch out more.

Throughout his career, which dates back to the mid ‘90s, Tovey has appeared on TV shows like Agatha Christie’s Poirot, The Bill, Doctor Who, Being Human, Sherlock, Looking, Quantico (alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas), Years and Years, and most recently American Horror Story: NYC. Tovey has also made several film appearances throughout his career, including movies like The Lady in the Van, The Pass, The Good Liar, Allelujah, and a small part in Muppets Most Wanted, which also featured future Love Again co-star Celine Dion. 

Sofia Barclay (Suzy) 

The cast also includes Sofia Barclay, who takes on the role of Mira Ray’s supportive sister, Suzy, who tries desperately to get her back into the dating world.

Though probably not as recognizable as other members of the cast, Barclay has been quite busy since making her professional acting debut back in 2010. This includes small roles on shows like Beyond the Blade, Defending the Guilty, NYPD Blue, and We Are Lady Parts. Barclay also joined the Ted Lasso cast for a single episode during the Apple TV+ original series’ second season. She has also appeared in multiple short films over the years.

Lydia West (Lisa)

Lydia West shows up here as Lisa, another one of Rob's friends from work, one who is wise and savvy, but also extremely cynical when it comes to things like love.

Fans of Russell T. Davies’ drama series like Years and Years (alongside Love Again co-star Russell Tovey) and It’s a Sin will instantly recognize West from her star-making performances on two outstanding shows. But, if not that, then maybe fans of the 2022 BBC One and Netflix series, Inside Man, will remember the actress from her portrayal of crime journalist Beth Davenport. West has also appeared on shows like Dracula, Suspicion, and The Pentaverate. 

Arinzé Kene (John)

Arinzé Kene appears in the Love Again cast as John, Mira Ray’s deceased boyfriend whose old cell phone number was later picked up by Rob, starting the whole romantic journey at the heart of the movie.

Probably best known for his portrayal of Connor Stanley on EastEnders, Kene has also appeared on shows like Youngers, Crazyhead, Flack, and Informer. His film appearances include the likes of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, How to Build a Girl, Been So Long, and I’m Your Woman. 

Nick Jonas (Mira's Date)

And then there is Nick Jonas, who makes a brief appearance in a scene in which he goes on an awkward date with Mira, who is played by his real-life wife, Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

In addition to his incredibly successful music career (both as a solo artist and with the Jonas Brothers) he has landed some memorable film roles throughout his career, including parts in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and its 2019 sequel, Chaos Walking, Midway, and Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. He’s also landed small-screen gigs on shows like Kingdom, Scream Queens, and Hawaii Five-0, to name a few. 

Well, this about wraps up the major players in the Love Again cast. With each of the actors being busier than ever, there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing all of them again in some of the other upcoming 2023 new movie releases.

Fans of historical romance have been rejoicing for a while now, as we know that this dreaded Droughtlander is finally nearing its end. The highly anticipated Outlander Season 7 will debut as part of the 2023 TV schedule when it hits Starz in mid-June, and star Sam Heughan has been doing a great job of getting fans pumped for the time traveling drama. But, something else he’s now promoting is the release of his new gin, and you better believe that the Scottish actor selling gin in a kilt is really winning fans over.

What Are Outlander Fans Saying About Sam Heughan Selling His Gin In A Kilt?

Though the man who’s brought Jamie Fraser to life for almost a full decade now for millions of fans around the world has been known to fill his Instagram and Twitter feed with lots of solid updates on his hit romantic drama, he’s also been using his platform to talk about his brand of spirits, The Sassenach, since late 2019. He’s now once again donned a kilt to promote the brand, though he’s not driving around in a whisky truck with his face on it this time. 

You know his fans love it when Heughan is in a kilt (though I, personally, am surprised we didn’t get even a hint of his knees in the short clip), and are now very eager to celebrate the reveal of his new gin, especially in light of Season 7 premiering soon, as this tweet notes:

This person is really on the ball when it comes to putting a timeline together, because not only is The Sassenach Wild Scottish Gin hitting U.S. store shelves on June 15, but this just so happens to be literally one day before the seventh season of Outlander premieres. And, more than one person noted that the color of the bottle for his new product matches his attire pretty perfectly:

The actor seems like a savvy businessman, so I doubt that this release and the end of the Droughtlander being so close is any kind of coincidence. As viewers now know, this will be the penultimate season of the long-running drama, and Jamie’s portrayer has already been teasing Season 8. He’s clearly excited for what’s coming, as are all of the fans around the world. We’ve already been told that we’’ll be treated to a “huge” season, both in length and scope, as Jamie and his allies will be attempting to save Claire after the Season 6 ending left her imprisoned for a murder she didn’t commit.

In fact, it’s incredibly likely that getting his wife out of the very serious bind she currently finds herself in will involve a bit of smuggling, something that Jamie knows quite a bit about from his time as A. Malcolm. None of that was lost on yet another fan who wished the one time James Bond hopeful well in his new business venture:

Well, there’s nothing quite like Sam Heughan sporting a kilt to get fans even more interested in Outlander, so I think it’s fair to say that everyone is totally ready to see what transpires when the series returns in June!

Outlander viewers can always be sure of at least two things: that our dreaded Droughtlanders will eventually end, and that the stars will eagerly discuss any upcoming season. In fact, Sam Heughan has already been pretty busy hyping this summer’s debut of Outlander Season 7 and teasing Season 8, which will see the time-travel romance’s end. He’s now getting fans even more pumped as we approach the show’s premiere, and is also getting the word out about his new rom-com, Love Again, which is one of the many upcoming book to screen adaptations on the way.

How Is Sam Heughan Getting Fans Pumped For Outlander Season 7?

Not only has this hiatus been long, but filming on the penultimate season (which will return fans to the days of longer seasons with 16 episodes, half airing this summer and the rest becoming one of the greatest Starz shows in 2024) took nearly a full year. So, despite us being updated during that time on things like how “huge” the season will be and getting to see Season 7 footage that brings questions about Claire, we still want more. Luckily, the long-time James Bond hopeful took to Instagram recently to showcase some amazing photos from the new episodes. Take a look!

OMG. This. Is. EXCITING!! You guys, these are the first new photos we’ve gotten since…OK, it was just around four weeks ago, but still. It’s felt like forever, and every Sassenach reading this right now knows exactly what I’m talking about! The pictures go from two of Claire and Jamie embracing to two of them looking very seriously off into the distance in the same location, which is clearly a camp of some kind. 

What isn’t quite clear yet is how much of a time jump we’ll be in store for, as these new photos, once again, show Mrs. Fraser with hair that’s much longer than it was when she was carted off to Wilmington at the end of the previous season. We already know that the new episodes will kick off basically where Season 6 ended, though, so it’ll only be a matter of time now until all is revealed and fans can see just how Jamie, Young Ian, and their allies save Claire.

How Is Sam Heughan Getting Fans Pumped For Love Again?

While the star “wasn’t quite ready” for his early James Bond opportunity, that doesn’t mean that his career has been devoid of movie roles during his time portraying Jamie Fraser. He’s appeared in The Spy Who Dumped Me with Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon, for instance, and also played an important part in the Bloodshot cast alongside Vin Diesel. But, now he’s preparing fans for the May 5 opening of his rom-com with Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

In fact, he and his co-star have done some videos to let fans know that they can already get tickets to Love Again, like this cute one which is definitely rom-com appropriate and shows off the kind of chemistry we’re set to see on the big screen:

I don’t know what you think, but it does seem like this Droughtlander is finally starting to pay off for Heughan’s many fans!

For the better part of the past decade, Sam Heughan has been best known for his portrayal of Jamie Fraser on the Starz fantasy/historical romance drama, Outlander. The show, which will return for its penultimate season this June, is set to conclude following the eighth and final season later on. But fans of the show, and specifically Heughan’s performance, will soon be treated to another drama series featuring the dashing Scottish actor, but in an extremely different type of role.

At some point in the near future, Heughan, and several other in-demand actors, will lead a new romantic series titled The Couple Next Door, a co-production by Starz and the British broadcaster Channel 4. Here is everything we know about what sounds to be a steamy and thrilling limited series.

What Is The Couple Next Door Premiere Date?

With the show just having been officially announced in March 2023, it will probably be some time before we hear anything about a premiere date for The Couple Next Door. But, it should be sooner rather than later, as Starz and Channel 4 have announced that the psychological drama series is already in production in England and Belgium. 

With filming having already commenced, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for us to see The Couple Next Door before Outlander Season 8 premieres somewhere down the road. Expect to hear much more about this project in the coming weeks and months.

Update: The Couple Next Door is available now on Channel 4 in the UK.

Sam Heughan And Eleanor Tomlinson Lead The Couple Next Door Cast

While we don’t yet know when the series will premiere on Starz in the United States and Canada, and Channel 4 elsewhere, we do know who will be leading the upcoming romantic thriller. 

In March 2023, the networks announced that longtime James Bond hopeful Sam Heughan would be taking on the role of Danny, an alpha traffic cop who has an extramarital affair with his new neighbor, Evie, played by Poldark star Eleanor Tomlinson. The cast also includes How to Get Away with Murder’s Alfred Enoch as Evie’s husband, Pete, and Pennyworth’s Jessica De Gouw as Danny’s wife, Becka, a character described as being a glamorous yoga instructor.

The Series Centers On Two Couples Caught In The Middle Of An Affair And Its Consequences

When The Couple Next Door premieres at a later date, it will follow Evie and Alfred as they move into an upscale neighborhood that is full of neighbors who are incredibly obsessed with status, as well as trying to figure out what everyone else is doing behind closed doors. The new arrivals will find friendship with Danny and Becka, the couple next door. However, when Evie and Danny have a passionate night behind their spouses’ backs, everything begins to change for all involved parties.

When addressing the story in a statement following the show's reveal, executive producer and CCO of Eagle Eye Drama, Jo McGrath, provided a statement that shed additional light on the upcoming series:

McGrath also teased The Couple Next Door by saying the series will make you wonder what goes on behind closed doors.

The Couple Next Door Is A Loose Adaptation Of The Dutch Thriller Series New Neighbors

If the show and its story sound familiar, it could have something to do with the fact that the upcoming series is a loose adaptation of the Dutch thriller series, New Neighbors, which is also sometimes referred to as The Neighbors based on the translation. 

Over the course of 40 episodes released between 2014 and 2019, the series followed the complicated and intertwined lives of two couples who become close with one another after one of the pairs suffers a terrible tragedy and is looking for a way to move past the event. It remains unclear how much from the original show will be brought into the new production, but it appears at this point that the basic premise will be the same in both versions.

The Series Will Be Directed By Dries Vos, Who Sam Heughan Says Has A ‘Unique Visual Flair’

The Couple Next Door is being helmed by Dries Vos, the Belgian director whose list of credits include shows like Suspect, Women of the Night, Professor T, and several others released over the course of the past decade-and-a-half. In a statement released along with the show’s reveal, Sam Heughan had nothing but good things to say about the director:

Dries will be working off a script penned by David Allison, whose previous work includes shows like Boy Meets Girl, In the City, The Case, Bedlam, Trust Me, and Marcella.

The Couple Next Door Will Have Six Episodes

In recent years, there have been more and more limited series (and traditional TV shows) with stories that play out over the course of four to eight episodes. In fact, Outlander Season 6, the most recently released installment of Sam Heughan’s fantasy drama, had a much shorter that normal episode count with eight chapters, including that cliffhanger of an ending. On top of that, Outlander Season 7 will consist of two eight-episode sections, according to TV Line.

Well, The Couple Next Door will follow a similar path in that the limited series will be made up of six episodes. The length of those episodes have yet to be revealed, but there’s a good chance we’ll see chapters anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes in length before its complicated and thrilling narrative concludes. 

Though we don’t know a whole lot about The Couple Next Door at this point in time, expect that to change now that production has gotten underway. In no time at all, we’ll be talking about the rest of the cast, other story details, and the trailer whenever it makes its debut. And it's not the only highly anticipated Starz show, as Minx Season 2 is set to premiere at some point now that the network has saved it from cancellation.

For now, though, check out our guide to all the new tv 2023 shows to get the latest on all the new and returning shows coming to the small screen later this year. 

April 13th, 1953 saw the first printing of Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale introduce the world at large to the mythology that would lead to the James Bond movies. 007’s first literary mission saw him beaten and bruised, but ready to start a legacy that continues, both in print and on the big screen, 70 years later. Casting this iconic role is as difficult now as it was back in the day, a fact that the franchise’s long time casting director has proven again when explaining why hopefuls like Henry Cavill and Sam Heughan didn’t make the cut for the 2006 soft reboot. 

In an interview with RadioTimes, casting director Debbie McWilliams got to go deeper into the process that kicked off the story of Daniel Craig's James Bond. With eight actors screen tested for Casino Royale, there was a range of candidates that did include Cavill and Heughan. But when it came to casting the lead to softly reboot the Bond continuity, the approach to the character informed McWilliams and her team in the following manner: 

Those sentiments definitely align with those of Casino Royale director Martin Campbell, who previously told CinemaBlend that Cavill’s youthful inexperience was the reason he didn’t land the role in the end. The same could be said for Sam Heughan, as the Outlander star’s Casino Royale audition also saw him losing out on the lead role of this very franchise. Admittedly, Heughan admitted that he wasn’t ready for the role at that time, further backing both Campbell and McWiliams’ commentary on the matter.

Interesting enough, Debbie McWilliams dispelled another notion that some have when it comes to auditioning for the role of James Bond. While some may think that Henry Cavill and Sam Heughan’s lack of notoriety might have had an effect on their potential casting, that is apparently not true. Looking forward to the current race to cast the next 007, McWilliams ran through the history of actors who did land the roles, pointing out the following variety of resumes: 

We’re still no closer to finding out who the next cinematic James Bond will be, which means rumors and betting odds are still allowed to run rampant with speculation. That being said, Debbie McWilliams has provided another bit of commentary that’ll help future evaluations regarding who could be in line to compete. With experience and gravitas topping the potential of a household name, it’s still anybody's game when it comes to spinning the wheel to become this iconic cinematic super spy. Though let’s face it, Henry Cavill’s still game for the role, and he’s arguably developed that gravitas required.

In celebration of Casino Royale’s 70th anniversary in print, James Bond fans can commemorate the event in two different ways. Bookworms can dig into the reprints of Ian Fleming’s original books, which are currently available on shelves. Meanwhile, the Daniel Craig film of the same name is now streaming for your convenient viewing. You don’t need a license to kill, but an HBO Max subscription is definitely required.  

Television viewers who love romantic shows and period dramas have been deep in the latest Droughtlander for nearly a full year now, with Outlander Season 7 not set to premiere until mid-June. Though we still have another season to look forward to after that, Season 8 will be the time-traveling romance’s last, so fans are likely wondering what else will be on tap for the show’s many stars. Well, Sam Heughan has just landed his next TV show, and from the description it sounds like Jamie wouldn’t approve of his new character at all.

What New Show Has Outlander’s Sam Heughan Signed On To?

It might please Outlander fans to know that Heughan (who has the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation, Love Again, coming to theaters in May) has stuck with Starz for what will now be his third series on the premium cabler. The network announced that his new show “is a deliciously dark, psychological drama” titled The Couple Next Door. 

Heughan (who many think was born to play Jamie Fraser) will star as an “alpha traffic cop” named Danny, who’s married to Becka (Jessica De Gouw, Pennyworth), an alluring yoga teacher, but soon finds himself sharing a heated night of passion with his new neighbor Evie (Eleanor Tomlinson, Poldark). Evie has some problems of her own, as she’s described as “beautiful but troubled,” and some of those issues might come from the fact that she’s also married, and she and her husband, Pete (Alfred Enoch, How to Get Away with Murder) have just moved into this fancy neighborhood and felt a bit out of place until making friends with Danny and Becka.

The thriller is based on the Dutch series, New Neighbours, and the channel also revealed that it’s already begun filming on the six-episode season. We don’t know when the show will be ready for release, but I gotta say, this Danny dude sounds about as far from Jamie as Heughan could get.

Can you ever imagine our Jamie outright cheating on Claire? I mean, sure, he dallied a bit after the Battle of Culloden, but he’d already sent pregnant Claire back to the future, and she spent a whole 20 years there with Frank. She was unhappy, but how was Jamie supposed to know that, or that she was slowly dying inside not being able to be with him? Besides, all that time apart didn’t really mean much, as once they reunited (which is one of the best scenes of the show overall) it was firework fuck city in Jamie’s room, leading to one of Outlander’s sexiest romantic moments. 

Plus, you probably noticed that the basic description of Danny makes him seem like a less-than-appealing man in a number of ways. He’s “alpha,” and I think many of us are incredibly likely to read that as “toxic asshole.” Jamie fights when he has to (and fights well), but very little about him could be described as “alpha” in any negative way. Add to that the fact that ol’ Danny’s a cop, and I suspect that he’ll be using some of his police privileges for things he really shouldn’t be (Jamie. Would. NEVER.) as things become more complicated for the romantic pairs at the center of Sam Heughan's The Couple Next Door. 

It’ll be interesting to see Heughan take on a role like this, and I bet that many of his Outlander fans will be eager to tune in.

If you’ve been feeling adrift since the cliffhanger ending of Outlander Season 6 in early May 2022, I bet you probably know that you are far from alone. Even though all of the Sassenachs around the world know that our beloved drama takes serious time to put to together new episodes, the wait for the upcoming season is going to take us into sometime this summer, when the show will finally debut, and lasting through every Droughtlander is difficult, to say the least. Well, star Sam Heughan has kindly given fans a great Outlander Season 7 update, but why is he already teasing Season 8?

What Outlander Season 7 Update Did Sam Heughan Give Fans?

When the historical series’ leading romantic hero (who’s helped give viewers some of the 1700s-set show’s sexiest moments) isn’t showing off all the hard work he puts into his exercise regimen on social media, he frequently posts about the Starz program that made him famous. Amidst all of his filming efforts on Season 7, he recently treated fans to an update on the coming season that they’re sure to love, by posting a smile-filled set photo to Instagram:

WOOOOO! Oh, praise be! This is yet another sign that our wait is nearing its end, as the cast and crew has finally completed shooting the upcoming episodes. His photo shows the one-time James Bond hopeful and his co-star, Caitríona Balfe, still in full costume and holding a slate in front of them announcing that they’ve wrapped production, as some crew members are equally all smiles in the background.

Though the actor had previously given us updates by revealing when they were halfway done with filming and saying that the new episodes would pick up basically where those Season 6 shocks left us, this new notice is the greatest one yet, and can only be bested by the announcement of the official premiere date. And, considering the fact that they had been set to film for a full year, but managed to come in slightly under that at a still-whopping 220 days on the expanded season, it’s no wonder that everyone in his photo seems giddy.

Why Is Sam Heughan Already Teasing Outlander Season 8?

OK, knowing how long and intensive the process of filming this year’s season of the hit historical romance had to have been, many of us could probably understand the star telling us about wrapping on the new installment and then not thinking or talking about the show again until he absolutely had to. But! What Heughan did instead was end his gleeful caption by adding that “we CANNOT WAIT for you to see Season 8” and concluding with the heart hands emoji. So, why is he already teasing us on the eighth season?

There are a few possibilities for this, the least of which is that, sadly for fans, Season 8 will be the final one. January 2023 saw the announcement of the show’s ultimate ending, which will wrap this time-traveling romance with 10 episodes. This will put the finale ahead of the books that the show’s based on, as each season pretty much takes its story from a specific novel in the series, and the current plan from author Diana Gabaldon is to end Claire and Jamie’s story with the upcoming tenth book.

Also, though Heughan previously said some heartfelt and slightly NSFW things about what he’d miss about filming the series, by the time Season 8 is in the can, they will likely have completed a full 10 years of working on the show. That’s a long time to work on something that can be as heavy as Outlander, so he might be kinda excited to close this difficult but fruitful chapter of his career. Not to mention the fact that, as a producer on the show, he probably already knows what some of the early plans are to close everything out, and that’s got to be fun!

All I know is that fans will definitely miss the “breathless” chemistry between Heughan and Balfe when everything is said and done, but at least we’ll have the books (and repeated viewings of the show) to keep us warm. And if that's not enough, we also have Heughan's The Couple Next Door coming to Starz at some point in the near future.

Outlander has become a major hit for Starz since it premiered back in 2014, and while the story has of course kept the show going strong for the better part of a decade, stars Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe have the chemistry to keep fans hooked. The series is currently in the midst of another Droughtlander – a.k.a. long hiatus between seasons – but Sam Heughan has opened up about the first casting session with Caitriona Balfe all those years ago, and it was intense. 

Sam Heughan looked back at the early days of Outlander when the show was still in the casting process in his memoir, called Waypoints: My Scottish Journey. When he and Caitriona Balfe read together early on, they tackled a scene from the Season 1 episode called “The Reckoning,” which saw the two characters fighting in the aftermath of Jamie’s daring rescue of Claire after she’d been captured by Black Jack Randall. 

It was an emotionally intense scene in the first season with both of them saying some things that they would ultimately regret, with Claire still not used to the constraints of her life as a wife in the 18th century and Jamie still not used to a wife who won’t just do as she’s told. In his memoir (via Variety), Heughan commented on the scene for Jamie and Claire, and how he and his future co-star got into the moment:

Personally, I wish that there was video available of this casting session, because it sounds like their performances here solidified them as the perfect actors to play Claire and Jamie. It would also be interesting to compare it to the finished product that aired in “The Reckoning.” That episode was the first to air after the show’s first long break, as more than half a year passed between the end of the first half of Season 1 and “The Reckoning” as the start of Season 2. A lot had happened between the casting session and when they actually filmed the scene!

If this casting session is what led to both of them landing their roles, then fans should be happy that they went all-out. Their chemistry has kept the show going strong for six seasons and counting, to the point that some viewers have speculated that they were secretly in a relationship.The two actors also came to Outlander with some very different levels of experience. 

Heughan was an established actor with many credits on the U.K. side of the pond along with some roles for the U.S. market, including a Hallmark Christmas movie that he still remembers fondly. For her part, Balfe was a model before transitioning into acting as well, with a far shorter list of pre-Outlander credits than her co-star. Heughan addressed how he felt “protective” of his co-star when Outlander began, writing:

Even though there were no guarantees back when the show was still in the casting stage that it would become a hit, the series is based on a popular (and still ongoing) novel saga by Diana Gabaldon. With the beloved source material and a lead pair with the chemistry and talent to keep the action going through location changes and major time jumps, Outlander is still going strong nearly a decade after it first premiered, with a spinoff in the works.

Unfortunately, there’s no word just yet on when Season 7 will launch on Starz, although there have been some exciting updates on the casting front. Sam Heughan also promised a “huge” seventh season that picks up with Claire in prison, Jamie on a mission to rescue her, and the Revolutionary War still brewing. Season 7 is in fact set to be the longest since Season 1. So, even though the show won’t be back any time too soon, fans are in for a lot of action when Season 7 does premiere. 

If you want to revisit the earlier seasons of Outlander with pre-time jump Jamie and Claire, you can find the first five seasons streaming with a Netflix subscription. You can also start planning ahead for the new year with our 2023 TV premiere schedule.

It’s now been a little over six months since the Outlander Season 6 ending on Starz delivered yet another explosive and emotionally devastating finale. Though fans know we’ll be treated to a much longer Season 7, it’s nice to have some new information to help tide us over until we can actually see something from the upcoming episodes with our own eyes. Now, star Sam Heughan has updated fans on the “huge” next season, and I’m sure everyone will want to know when this Droughtlander will finally be over.

What Did Sam Heughan Say About Outlander Season 7?

Jamie Fraser’s portrayer has already done a lot to tease fans on what will be coming up in the highly anticipated season of one of television’s sexiest shows. We know that the action is set to pick up very soon after the events of the previous season, but the actor recently added to our anticipation by talking to The Scotsman about just how massive the season is set to be, saying:

Even though the romantic drama is now filming the most episodes it's gotten since Season 1, it definitely sounds like they will have tons to pack into each one. As fans will likely recall, the Frasers were, once again, in deep trouble by the end of Season 6. Claire was arrested for the murder of pregnant Malva Christie (by Richard Brown and his men, no less), separated from Jamie while on the road, and imprisoned in Wilmington. On top of that, Malva’s real killer is still at large, and the American Revolution is fully upon us, which will bring more complications, even if Jamie, Young Ian, and their allies do manage to rescue Claire.

When Will Outlander Season 7 Debut?

I have a quick and easy answer to this question for everyone who’s eager to see this Droughtlander end, but, unfortunately, it’s not really one that fans will want to hear. While the historical fantasy began filming again back in April 2022, we still have no clue when it might return to the small screen with new episodes.

Seeing as how this is an “XL” installment, production will take longer than usual, with filming actively expected to last for a full year. In addition, there will need to be roughly two to six months of post-production, but because of the longer season, that could take extra time.

We do have some good news about filming, at least. In mid-September, Heughan offered another update on Twitter, and told fans that principal photography was half way done. If they have another six months to go from that date, they might be done by mid-March 2023, meaning that it’s possible we could see the new episodes begin airing by late 2023. 

There are sure to be many more teases and updates about Season 7 as the weeks go on, but if you need something to fill your time, be sure to check out some shows like Outlander you can watch right now, after you revisit previous episodes of Outlander streaming.

Outlander is not a show to shy away from nudity and violence. However, Sam Heughan explained there was one scene where he felt like the nudity in it was “unnecessary” and that the decision to leave it in the show betrayed his trust. 

The scene Heughan is talking about comes at the end of Season 1, when his character Jamie is sexually assaulted by Black Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies). In the episode, there is a full-frontal shot of Heughan’s penis, and he said that it was “unnecessary.” He explained this further in his memoir Waypoints: My Scottish Journey (via Insider): 

Heughan did note that he is contractually obligated to film nude scenes, he also noted that the show does not shy away from tough topics like sexual violence. However, in this scene, he said he didn’t feel like his character needed to be nude. It was an incredibly brutal and difficult-to-watch moment in the series. He wrote: 

He later explained that his pushback on the scene caused a debate on set. Eventually, it was agreed that the explicit shots would end up “on the cutting room floor.” Heughan also wrote about how something like this would not happen today. 

The evolution of how sex is filmed and depicted on TV shows has been rapid over the last few years, and Outlander has been on the air through it all. The show has been on Starz since 2014, and has recently brought an intimacy coordinator onto the set to help make the filming of intimate scenes more comfortable and safer. 

Intimacy coordinators have started to be used more frequently, especially on shows where there are a lot of sex scenes. Bridgerton is a show that has famously started using an intimacy coordinator, and the show’s coordinator has explained what she does on set. She said her main role is to make sure everyone is comfortable, especially the actors. Along with Bridgerton, hit shows like House of the Dragon use intimacy coordinators as well and have spoken up about the importance of the job. This all comes back to Outlander because Heughan brought an intimacy coordinator onto the set in Season 6. 

The actor has been very open about what it was like working on the earlier scenes of Outlander, saying it was a “different time.” However, now with an intimacy coordinator, they are able to ensure everyone on set feels safe, and when there are sex scenes they are helping move the story forward. 

It’s good to know that show has evolved in a way to make the more intimate scenes safer and more comfortable, especially after hearing what Heughan went through in Season 1. 

We know that Season 7 of Outlander is on the way, which is exciting after that cliffhanger. However, it will be a while before Jamie, Claire, and co. make their way back to our screens. While you wait for the latest season of the hit show, you can stream Outlander on Starz, and you can watch Seasons 1 through 5 with a Netflix subscription. 

Before Daniel Craig had even said goodbye to his time as the face of the James Bond movies, several actors kept cropping up as periodic favorites to replace him. One such candidate was none other than Outlander’s Sam Heughan, who up until recently still seemed pretty keen on landing the role. That outlook may have changed, as Heughan has recently revisited his memories of that early 007 audition.

How Sam Heughan Feels About His Casino Royale Audition

While talking to EW about his new memoir, Waypoints: My Scottish Journey, the Scottish actor once again confirmed that he was actually one of the eight actors that tried out for Casino Royale. Reflecting further on that experience, Sam Heughan offered this take on competing to become 007:

Though it was known that eight actors auditioned for Martin Campbell on the 2006 James Bond reboot, not all of those names are nailed down. However, Heughan’s previous brush with 007 fame has been mentioned before. The new piece to the puzzle is why the Men in Kilts star feels he missed out on that golden opportunity.  

It sounds like Sam Heughan thinks he lost out on Casino Royale for the same reason Henry Cavill wasn’t cast as Bond, which is a youthful lack of experience. That’s a fair assessment, and he wouldn’t be the first person to admit to such a fate. In an odd twist of fate, Heughan’s comments on his future 007 chances seem to skew in the other direction of the timeline.

How Sam Heughan Feels About Playing James Bond Now

An excerpt from Waypoints that’s included in the reporting above saw Sam Heughan talking out what seems to be the future of James Bond. It sounds like the man who the world tends to recognize as Jamie Fraser has been listening to those remarks about the next James Bond’s age we’ve all been hearing. As such, here are Heughan’s current thoughts on the matter: 

That “taste of that world” he’s mentioned is none other than the film SAS: Rise of the Black Swan, which was once known as SAS: Red Notice. No matter what name you know it by, the all star action-adventure vehicle might be the best chance we have at seeing Sam Heughan playing the role of an ass kicking operative. While nothing is certain until the announcement has been made, the push towards a “thirty-something” James Bond seems to have unofficially removed another player from the game.

If you’re a Sam Heughan fan who wants to see something remotely close to his potential in a James Bond movie, you’re in luck. SAS: Rise of the Black Swan is still streaming at the time of this writing, provided you have a Netflix subscription. Or if you’re looking for anything new starring the Outlander heartthrob, you can catch his rom-com It’s All Coming Back To Me, which will be released as part of 2023’s new movie releases on February 10th.

Anyone who’s watched the long-running Starz hit, Outlander, can tell you that a large portion of the show’s success is dependent on one thing: the incredible chemistry between stars Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe, who play Jamie and Claire Fraser with such a romantic intensity that some fans continue to insist that the actors are dating in real life. Obviously, those behind the series managed to nail the casting process, and now executive producer Maril Davis has opened up about why she thinks Heughan was “born” to bring his character to life.

Why Does Outlander’s Maril Davis Think Sam Heughan Was Born To Play Jamie? 

As the cast and crew are still hard at work on Outlander Season 7, fans were recently treated to the Blu-ray/DVD release of Season 6, which comes with a number of special features. One of these shows the EP discussing the casting process (via Entertainment Tonight) and how they found their perfect James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser in Heughan upon seeing his audition tape during the very first round of casting. Davis said:

While the actor has noted that he believes the time-traveling romance’s success is due to the leads’ commitment to their partnership to make sure they’re putting the same energy into Outlander, he’s also admitted that he would have thought twice about taking the iconic role if he’d knew about the massive fanbase beforehand, and has also said he has trouble letting go of Jamie after filming a season.

Even though those things can be difficult for the star, who seems to be very close behind the scenes with those he films such frequently challenging episodes with, he’s opened up about how the cliffhanger-friendly drama came along at just the right time in his career, because Heughan was close to quitting acting and says the romance-filled hit truly “changed my life.”

Davis offered more insight into the audition process for the series’ leads, and noted that they honestly didn’t even know if they’d be able to find the exact right person for the gig, adding:

It’s so lucky for viewers and for the show overall that Davis and her cohorts were incorrect, and that Sam Heughan kept acting long enough to bring a fantastic romantic hero to life. You can watch Seasons 1-5 of Outlander with a Netflix subscription.

It’s no secret that Outlander has been a huge success for Starz since the romantic drama debuted in 2014. Not only is the production now filming Outlander Season 7, which should hit our screens at some point in 2023, but there’s also a prequel on the way. It’s hard, though, not to think about a time when all we’ll have of Jamie, Claire, and their assorted family and friends are repeat viewings of old episodes. With that, Outlander star Sam Heughan was recently asked about what he’d miss once he’s no longer working on the show, and his answer managed to be both heartfelt and a bit NSFW.

What Did Sam Heughan Say He’d Miss About Filming Outlander?

Again, to be clear, we absolutely don’t have to worry about being Sassenachs without a television home to visit frequently just yet, but with Outlander being rather long in the tooth already, I’m sure fans have wondered what the stars will miss about working on the time-traveling series. Square Mile asked Sam Heughan that very question, and after admitting that the cast had been discussing the topic recently, he said:

Awwwww! It makes total sense that Heughan would list his co-workers as one of the things he’d miss about filming Outlander. The cast has always seemed to be very close, with Heughan congratulating Balfe after her award nomination, and cast members sometimes poking great amounts of fun at each other on social media. Heughan noted previously that he and Caitríona Balfe have been successful on the show because they agreed at the beginning that they were “in this together”, and fans believe in their on-screen chemistry so much that some insist Balfe and Heughan must be dating in real life.

It’s always great to like the people you end up working with, but this is probably even more helpful for the cast and crew of Outlander. As Heughan also said, the show is “full on” and a difficult job, but at least they can all be “fucked” from going through filming together. That does sound like true “camaraderie” you guys.

Outlander Season 7 is expected to film through at least April of 2023, so while this Droughtlander is going to continue for many more months, we know that there’s no need to fear that Sam Heughan and his fellow cast and crew members will have to miss one another for quite a while to come. You can revisit Seasons 1-5 of Outlander with your Netflix subscription.

As one of the most passionately beloved cable series out there at the moment, Starz's equally romantic and brutal drama Outlander is set to follow up on 2022's shortened sixth season with its biggest batch of episodes since Season 1. What's more, it was revealed earlier this year that the network was kicking around ideas for a prequel project based within Outlander's historical setting. Now, Starz has given fans something to celebrate by not only confirming the prequel's in-development existence, but also by dropping some big details about it.

First and foremost, the project now has an official title: Outlander: Blood of My Blood, and don't go thinking this will open up the time-jaunting series for vampire mayhem. The use in this case refers strictly to family bloodlines, though I can easily imagine more than a little blood will be shed for reasons both blessed (such as childbirth) and malevolent.

Somewhat similar to the upcoming Winchesters prequel for The CW's longtime hit Supernatural, Outlander: Blood of My Blood will "follow the love story of Jamie Fraser's parents," per the announcement from Starz. Just in case anyone wondered where Sam Heughan's character learned to be so damned smooth, this show aims to prove that the sexy apple didn't fall far from the sexy tree. Or possibly something far more poetic and insightful than sexy trees.

The network confirmed that the writers' room is currently in session for the new prequel project, which will have Outlander multi-hyphenate Matthew B. Roberts as head writer and showrunner, as well as an executive producer. Roberts has been a writer and EP on Outlander since its earliest days, is the current showrunner for the flagship series, and has also served as director for one episode, and second-unit director across several more. The book series' author, Diana Gabaldon, will be involved behind the scenes as a consulting producer, while Outlander's TV developer Ronald D. Moore will be executive producing the new series.

Here's what Starz's President of Original Programming, Kathryn Busby, had to say about the new show:

Outlander Season 7 has added some new cast members as it plows forward far ahead of its eventual release. While waiting to hear more news about who might be portraying Jamie's parents, check out a bunch of other shows that will likely quench the Outlander thirst, and head to our 2022 TV premiere schedule to see what else is hitting the small screen this year.

Well, Sassenachs, seeing as how Outlander Season 7 wrapped the first part of its extremely action-packed run way back in August 2023, fans have long since been mired in the dreaded Droughtlander. Although that midseason finale delivered a big twist and left us with plenty of questions that will need to be answered when the action picks back up, there are still surprises to come with regards to Claire, Jamie, Young Ian, and their many friends, family, and foes.

So, what exactly do we know about Outlander Season 7, Part 2? If you feel like you’re in the dark about the upcoming episodes for this time-traveling hit filled with some of the sexiest romantic moments television has ever seen, never fear! We’ve collected all the information you need about the upcoming episodes!

What Is The Outlander Season 7, Part 2 Premiere Date?

It was a long time coming, but early June 2024 saw Starz finally announce that Outlander would return for Season 7, Part 2 on November 22, 2024. Obviously, with the initial part of the season having premiered in mid-June of 2023, this means we’ll be waiting for the debut of the eight-episode Part 2 for well over a year. Many fans are very unhappy with the wait time, but having a release date that’s far away is better than not having one at all, I say.

The Outlander Season 7, Part 2 Cast

The second half of the season is sure to have lots of intriguing things in store for viewers, and October of 2022 saw Starz announce that some surprising former Outlander actors will appear in the upcoming episodes, and we didn’t see them in Part 1, so they’re still on their way. 

These guest stars are Graham McTavish as Dougal MacKenzie (Jamie’s long-dead uncle), Lotte Verbeek as Claire's time-traveling frenemy/Young Ian's one-time captor, Geillis Duncan, Steven Cree as Ian (Young Ian's dad/Jamie’s friend and brother-in-law, who we've already gotten a peek at), Andrew Whipp as Brian Fraser (Jamie’s very long-dead dad), Nell Hudson as Laoghaire (Jamie’s vindictive ex-wife/Marsali’s mom), and Layla Burns as Marsali’s sister/Jamie’s stepdaughter, Joan MacKimmie. 

Starz also revealed several new cast members who’ll be introduced. Part 1 of the season already revealed newcomers Rod Hallett (as Benedict Arnold), Chris Fulton (Rob Cameron), Diarmaid Murtagh (Buck MacKenzie), Charles Vandervaart as Jamie’s adult son William, and those playing the Hunter siblings. So, it seems that we’ll have to wait for Part 2 to see Gloria Obianyo (Dune) as Mercy Woodcock, who is "a free Black woman navigating the hardships of life in Colonial America." Also, Kristin Atherton (Shakespeare & Hathaway) has stepped in to portray Jenny Murray (Jamie’s sister/Young Ian’s mom), who was originally played by Laura Donnelly for Seasons 1 through 3.

You Can Watch A Teaser For Season 7, Part 2 Now!

We all got an unexpected gift in early June, when Outlander finally revealed the first teaser for the upcoming episodes. You can enjoy it now, below!

As expected, anyone back in the colonies will still be in the thick of war, while Bree will be holding down the fort in the modern day as Roger and Buck look for Jemmy, and Claire, Jamie and Young Ian finally spend some time back in Scotland (which is where several of those characters we haven’t seen in years will likely show up). All in all, it seems as though the proceedings will be just as thrilling as fans hope! 

Where We Left The Frasers At The End Of Season 7, Part 1

Well, as per usual, there was no shortage of big, harrowing drama going on the last time we saw many of the extended Fraser/MacKenzie clan. The colonies are still in the thick of the Revolutionary War, and after Claire saves an unconscious Jamie from being murdered by scavengers on the battlefield and manages to get him back to camp, things get even more intriguing. Not only do they eventually have a chance meeting with possibly the world’s most famous traitor, Benedict Arnold, but Jamie refusing to shoot at his cousin during a later battle doesn’t do Simon Fraser much good, as another sniper got him and he’s dead before long.

That unfortunate occasion does lead to some relatively good news, though, as not only did Simon send for Jamie so he wouldn't have to die in the British camp alone, but it led to everyone’s favorite sensitive warrior being able to talk to an adult William (who’s currently safe after the Brits surrendered), after not having seen his son since he was a child. It also leads to a bit of a reprieve for Jamie, Claire and Young Ian, as the British allow them to accompany Simon’s body home, and the end of the episode finds them all, finally, back in Scotland.

Speaking of Young Ian, he had a bit more going on than fighting and heading home, as he actually dared to make a move on the outspoken Quaker he’s had his eye on, Rachel Hunter. The Scot lays a big ol’ kiss on her, and she rightfully slaps the mess outta him, but it’s clear that she wishes things could go further as much as Young Ian does. Later, when he leaves for Scotland, she agrees to watch Rollo for him, but runs into Arch Bug, who could very well decide to take his vengeance out on her/Ian’s dog while the young man is gone.

Back in the future (that’s the 1980s here), Bree, Roger and the kids are not having the best time, despite them finally knowing that the mysterious sorta troublemaker their children had been seeing was yet another family time traveler, Buck MacKenzie. As far as we know, he’s the only person from the past to travel forward to the future, and it turns out that Bree and Roger will need his help.

After new villain Rob Cameron got a look at Roger’s diary of time travel and letters from Claire and Jamie (things that really should have been in a vault somewhere, I’d say) he kidnapped poor, tiny Jemmy because the boy had once learned where all that stolen Jacobite gold had been hidden centuries earlier. Bree alerted Roger and Buck when they returned to Lallybroch, and the two men were taken to the stones to return to the past and save Jemmy. Something tells me that retrieving the boy and taking care of Rob won’t be easy for our time travelers!

What’s Coming In Outlander Season 7, Part 2?

Clearly, it will be quite a while yet before we know the full scope of what’s to come, but there are certainly some things we can guess at. With Jamie, Claire and Young Ian having spotted Scotland from their ship by the closing credits of the mid-season finale, we can bet that at least some of Part 2 will happen at or near Lallybroch in the 1700s. 

This should (almost definitely) treat us to appearances from some of the characters mentioned above who haven’t been seen in many seasons, like Ian’s parents, Laoghaire, and Joan. The trip could also bring back plenty of memories, which might be how we see long-dead characters like Dougal.

We know that Arch Bug is itching to get back at Ian for accidentally killing his wife, so it’s likely that Rachel and/or Rollo now have targets on their backs, though it remains to be seen whether or not the old man will strike while Ian is away, ro wait until his return to make a potentially deadly move.

With Roger and Buck going back in time to rescue Jemmy, that will obviously be a big part of the second half of Season 7, but I can’t help but wonder if the newly arrived in Scotland crew will happen upon one or all of the time travelers from the 1980s now that they’re back on the island. Aside from that, the teaser tells us that we’ll see pirate… I mean, Lord John again and with his wicked looking eyepatch. As for whether or not he’ll be around long enough to see his good buddy/biological dad to his adopted son William (a.k.a. Jamie) again, we’ll just have to wait and see.

How To Catch Up On Outlander Before Season 7, Part 2

If you’d like to get into your own way-back machine and revisit the first six seasons of Outlander, you can do that with your Netflix subscription. Meanwhile, Season 7, Part 1 is available through Starz.

Stream Outlander Season 1-6 on Netflix.
Stream Outlander Season 7, Part 1 on Starz.

Despite Season 7, Part 2 taking over a year to get to us, at least we now know that we have lots of good stuff to look forward to when it hits Starz in the near-ish future!

Fans who spend their time awaiting new episodes of the hit Starz drama, Outlander, might still be at the beginning of yet another Droughtlander, but that doesn’t mean they have nothing to consider with regards to the thrilling romance. The Outlander Season 6 ending offered up a devastating cliffhanger, with Claire being arrested for the murder of the pregnant Malva (who had probably tried to kill Claire and Tom), meaning that viewers have a lot of questions they’ll want answered in the new season. After the major events of the finale, now Sam Heughan has opened up about where Outlander Season 7 will kick off.

What Did Sam Heughan Say About How Outlander Season 7 Starts?

With Outlander delivering a much shorter season than usual as part of the 2022 TV schedule, you can bet that a lot was packed into its eight episodes. In fact, there was even a time jump during the course of Episode 6, which, overall, featured tons of developments, including Claire’s discovery of Malva’s body. After Claire’s Season 6 finale arrest, though, where can viewers expect Outlander Season 7 to start the action? Star Sam Heughan recently told US Weekly:

Honestly, considering everything that was very well-packed into Outlander Season 6, I think most fans would trust the writers to be able to start the seventh season after a time jump and still make it work. But, hearing that the currently very fast-paced Outlander story is going to pick up basically right where it left off really is way better for our collective curiosity.

Not only are we all dying to know just how Claire is going to be saved from her jail cell in Wilmington, with Jamie being forcibly separated from her during their trip to the city, but we’ve also come close to thinking that fateful fire that Brianna came back in time to warn her parents of was about to happen a few times. It sounds like Season 7 might finally show us exactly how and why this blaze gets started, as well as how our heroes manage to escape death yet again.

Luckily, because of the relatively tiny episode count for the recently completed season, Outlander Season 7 will have a whopping 16 episodes in which to catch us up on these developments, and many more. Heughan continued:

It sounds like Outlander Season 7 is going to be positively packed with action, and there’s no Sassenach around who’d have it any other way. We don’t know yet when Outlander’s new season will bring us Jamie’s now adult son and the answers to our Season 6 burning questions, but you can relive Seasons 1 through 5 right now with a Netflix subscription.

It’s pretty common for popular TV shows to have extremely dedicated fans, and for those fans to reach out to anyone who makes their favorite series a reality whenever possible. If you’re unaware, the Starz romantic drama, Outlander, is one of many hit shows with a nearly obsessed fandom whose stars are also active on social media, and sometimes the fans are just as famous as the actors. Series star Sam Heughan recently confirmed that women do, in fact, slide into his DMs, including fellow actor Rita Wilson, who’s also known as Tom Hanks’ wife.

Why Did Rita Wilson Slide Into The DMs Of Outlander's Sam Heughan?

The attention to Outlander (which finally returned as part of the 2022 TV schedule) has led to troubling things like star Sam Heughan being bullied, with both he and Caitríona Balfe having to speak out about the persistent rumor that the Outlander co-stars are dating. But, it’s also led to lots of fun fan interactions and artistic tributes, so it’s been far from all bad. In a recent interview with Variety, star Sam Heughan was asked if any celebrities had slipped into his DMs to talk about their love of Outlander, and he answered:

I mean, I don’t think anyone who’s watched Heughan love, struggle, sacrifice, and fight as Jamie Fraser on Outlander can begrudge Wilson a DM or two. And, we know that Wilson adores Outlander like many of us do, because Heughan is correct that he met her on a talk show, where she spoke about her admiration of the historical romance. 

In April of 2016, right before Outlander Season 2 debuted, Wilson and Heughan appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden, and she adorably opened up about how much she (and her friends) love the drama:

Awwww! Did you see how giggly Wilson got when things accidentally took a slightly naughty turn? I love it! If anything, she may have sent everyone’s favorite Scottish warrior turned colonist a DM sometime after this meeting just to reiterate that she appreciates his work on the hit (which I’m sure includes Outlander’s sexiest romantic moments), and isn’t simply filled with joyful thirst for the actor.

Though, again, no one could blame Rita Wilson if she does have some thirsty feelings for Sam Heughan. Have you seen the man’s Instagram? Sure, there are posts like Outlander behind the scenes pictures and updates for people about his whisky and tequila brands, but it’s also filled with a number of shirtless workout photos, and incredible shots of Heughan looking like our brand new James Bond, so she is far from alone when it comes to fan response to the star. Thankfully, it sounds like the interaction between Sam Heughan and Rita Wilson was another positive fan moment for the Outlander actor. 

There’s no doubt that the Starz hit drama, Outlander (which has been delivering much drama to the 2022 TV schedule), has inspired millions of super fans since its debut in 2014. The time-hopping historical romance is beloved by viewers for many reasons, none the least of which is its dedication to bringing the love story of Claire and Jamie Fraser to life. Unfortunately, stars Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan have discovered that some fans are convinced they’re dating in real life, to the point that they’ve gone through extensive lengths in an attempt to prove their theories. Now, both Balfe and Heughan have opened up about the wild fan rumors.

What Caitríona Balfe Had To Say About Fan Rumors She’s Dating Sam Heughan

We know that there are a number of Outlander fans who haven’t taken Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan’s consistent denials of a real life romance to heart, as rumors about them supposedly hiding a relationship have been tossed around since basically the beginning of the show. Balfe spoke to Vanity Fair about the rumors and how they’ve impacted her since marrying Anthony McGill in 2019, and then having her first child in 2021, noting: 

As a huge fan of the series myself, I can attest to the fact that it’s pretty easy to watch Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan as Claire and Jamie and at least wonder about whether or not all that smoldering they do during Outlander’s sexiest romantic moments has ever taken place off screen. But, you know, that’s why Balfe and Heughan’s partnership on screen is a success; they seem like they’re truly into each other. 

In her interview, Balfe also opened up about what some fans have done to try and prove that she and Heughan have been lying about their relationship for nearly a decade. She noted that after she and McGill married, someone called the church where they were wed and harassed the secretary, not believing their marriage was legit. Some fan (or group of fans) also hired private detectives to try and prove that she and Heughan were a couple in real life.

Things got even stranger when Balfe announced that she’d had a baby last August (after having filmed Outlander Season 6 with Heughan, who frequently forgot that Balfe’s baby bump was real), with an Instagram post that simply showed her holding her newborn son’s hand. Several fans asserted that the baby is Heughan’s, simply because the sheets in that photo seem to be similar to those in a post of her co-star’s.

What Sam Heughan Had To Say About Fan Rumors He’s Dating Caitríona Balfe

For his part, Heughan also admitted to being taken aback by the fan rumors that he’s dating his Outlander co-star, saying that it’s changed the way they interact with the show’s fans a bit. But, during his interview with Insider, he did agree with Balfe’s thoughts that his fan interactions have been far from all bad:

Sam Heughan shocked fans in early 2020 by going public with claims of harassment and bullying from Outlander viewers (with Caitríona Balfe backing him up just a few days later), which included the creation of “false narratives,” so it seems that some people in the fandom have become dangerously attached. 

Seeing as how these rumors, and apparently way worse treatment, have been going on since nearly the beginning for Heughan and Balfe, it’s unlikely that it’ll stop anytime soon. Hopefully, though, the co-stars talking about it will make at least some of the people engaging in this behavior think twice before doing it again.