Watch the Emotional Opening Credits for ‘Outlander’s Final Season
Here’s everything we know about ‘Outlander’ Season 8, including which books it’s based upon, returning cast members, and more.

Key Points
- Season 8 will be Outlander’s final season, premiering in early 2026 on STARZ.
- Diana Gabaldon wrote an episode and advised on the series finale; show will diverge from books.
- The prequel series, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, focusing on Jamie’s parents, is in production on its second season.
Every good story comes to an end, and such is the case with Outlander, which while renewed for Season 8, will also be the series’ final season, wrapping up the epic, romantic, time-travel tale based on the novels by bestselling author Diana Gabaldon.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie Fraser, says in the video just below, while Caitríona Balfe, who plays Claire, says, “We hope we do you proud.”
And John Bell, who plays Young Ian, adds, “We’re going to go out with a bang and tell the story the way it should be.”
In making the announcement of the final season, Kathryn Busby, president, Original Programming for STARZ said, “For nearly a decade Outlander has won the hearts of audiences worldwide and we’re pleased to bring Claire and Jamie’s epic love story to a proper conclusion. But before we close this chapter there is plenty of their passionate story to tell over the course of 26 new episodes and even more to explore of this dynamic world and its origin story. We’re thrilled to continue to partner with Matthew [B. Roberts], Maril [Davis] and Ronald [D. Moore] and can’t wait to see where their alluring storytelling takes us next.”
Where that story will be isn’t exactly known at present. Season 7— with its 16 episodes—took story from Gabaldon’s sixth and seventh books in the series —A Breath of Snow and Ashes and An Echo in My Bones—.
Season 8—with its 10 episodes—will most likely be adapted from books eight and nine—Written in My Own Heart’s Blood and Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, respectively—but Gabaldon is currently working on book 10, which may or may not wrap up the love story of Jamie and Claire Fraser. She hasn’t committed to an answer to that question yet.
So, we’ll just have to wait to see whether or not Season 8 will wrap up not only Jamie and Claire’s story, but also those for Brianna (Sophie Skelton) and Roger (Richard Rankin), and Young Ian, but one thing that seems clear is that Gabaldon will have input into the ending of the series.
What is the Outlander Season 8 release date?
Friday, March 6, 2026 will be the premiere date for the eighth and final season of the groundbreaking, time-traveling romance.
The eighth season of Outlander wrapped production in Scotland, with Sam and Caitríona posted the announcement saying, “Today marks the final day of filming on the final season of #Outlander. Words cannot express the gratitude owed to each and every hard-working cast and crew member who brought this incredible series to life and every single fan who supports it with passion, creativity, and dedication. Outlander really is more than just a show, it’s a family, and while filming might be ending, there’s so much more to this journey that’s just beginning.”
Is there a trailer for Outlander Season 8?
Also at San Diego Comic-Con, STARZ released the following trailer:
Then, on Sept. 18, 2025, the show released another teaser trailer, indicating Claire and Jamie may not be in for a happy ending.
Has the opening title sequence for Outlander Season 8 been released?
Each season of Outlander has featured a slightly different version of “The Skye Boat Song,” a late 19th century Jacobite lament, tailored by Emmy winner and series composer Bear McCreary, who draws inspiration from the upcoming storylines and locations. Season 8’s rendition is performed by Scotland native Annie Lennox as the series comes to its epic conclusion.
“I’ve loved and sung ‘The Skye Boat Song’ since I was a young girl growing up in Aberdeen,” says Lennox. “It represents such an iconic part of Scottish culture and history and it’s a real honor to have been asked to record it for Outlander’s final season.”
Which Outlander cast members are returning for Season 8?

Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser

Caitríona Balfe as Claire Fraser
Richard Rankin as Roger MacKenzie

Sophie Skelton as Brianna “Bree” MacKenzie
John Bell as Young Ian

David Berry as Lord John
Charles Vandervaart as William Ransom
Izzy Meikle-Small as Rachel Hunter

Joey Phillips as Dr. Denzell Hunter
Lauren Lyle as Marsali Fraser
César Domboy as Fergus Fraser
Watch the video on the Instagram post revealing Marsali and Fergus’ return:
Who will be joining the cast of Outlander for Season 8?
As part of World Outlander Day, STARZ revealed the casting of three new players for the eighth season of the series based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon as the 10-episode eighth and final season is currently filming in Scotland. The three new characters are:
Kieran Bew as Captain Charles Cunningham, a retired British soldier
Frances Tomelty as his mother, Elspeth Cunningham
Carla Woodcock joins in the role of Amaranthus Grey, a new member of the Grey family.
How many episodes of Outlander will there be in Season 8?
The last season of Outlander will consist of 10 episodes.
Did Diana Gabaldon write a script for Season 8 of Outlander?
Yes, Diana tells Parade that she wrote Episode 809 but she also had some input into the series finale (810). Since book 10 in the Outlander series is not yet done, the ending of the TV version of Outlander will differ from the books but that was to be expected.
“Yes, I did write an episode for Season 8, and am glad to have been able to contribute to the show’s final season,” she said. “I think the show overall has been spectacular, and am happy to see it end gracefully.”
What will happen in Outlander Season 8?
Again, it is guesswork, but the Revolutionary War will be in full swing. Jamie and Claire will be caught up in it in some form or another, Roger and Brianna will have come back from the future trying to find their place in the 18th century, and Young Ian will either be married or engaged.
Will there be a sequel to Outlander?
The previously announced 10-episode prequel series, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, centering on the lives and love of Jamie’s parents, Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie, is currently filming its second season and is produced by the same team that gives us Outlander, Matthew B. Roberts, Maril Davis, and Ronald D. Moore.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood is also based on an idea by Gabaldon, an as-yet-unreleased novel that she is in the process of writing, but she has definitely had input into the series.
“Outlander: Blood of My Blood is, at its heart, a love story. It will explore what lengths a person will go to find love in a time when love is considered a luxury, and when marriages are made strategically, often for political or financial gain,” said Roberts, showrunner and executive producer. “The title is a nod to Jamie Fraser’s marriage vow to Claire and there will be several names and faces that Outlander fans will know and recognize. Jamie and Claire’s TV story may be coming to an end with season eight, but Diana is continuing on with their literary journey in her wonderful book series and is working diligently on book ten. With Jamie and Claire, and now Brian and Ellen, there is still so much more to come in the Outlander universe, and we cannot wait to continue sharing these stories with our dedicated fans.”
Where will Outlander Season 8 be filmed?
As the majority of previous seasons were—with the exception of some scenes in South Africa in Season 3, Outlander is filmed in Scotland, which doubles for America.
Where can I watch and stream Outlander Season 8 on TV and online?
When it premieres, Outlander Season 8 will air on STARZ and the STARZ app , most premiering new episodes on Friday nights. Previous seasons of Outlander are currently available to stream through the STARZ app , Netflix and Prime Video.