Outlander’s Sam Heughan has opened up about his feelings after production concluded last year on the much-loved Starz series.
The Scottish actor, who has devoted over a decade to portraying the beloved character Jamie Fraser, discussed the bittersweet experience of bidding farewell to the role as the curtain prepares to fall on the show with its final season approaching.
Appearing on ITV with Lorraine Kelly, the 44-year-old actor delved into his latest endeavour with WWF, promoting the significance of connecting with nature.
During the chat on Lorraine’s morning programme, the conversation naturally veered towards Outlander’s eagerly anticipated eighth and final season, leaving fans eager for its release.
Lorraine extended her sentiments: “It has been such a huge part of your life, Outlander, and I know the fans will be watching, of course they will. It’s one of those shows, it’s worked hand in hand.”
To which Sam reflected: “I mean the books were written over 20 years ago, and Diana Gabaldon, I mean we must thank her, she’s still writing. She’s on the tenth book, we finished about book eight or nine.
“We have had to find an ending to ours but whether you’re a fan of the books and read them or not, there’s 101 episodes to dig into”, reports the Daily Record.
Sam revealed that beyond the screen, what he’ll miss profoundly is the close-knit rapport among the cast and crew: “You work day in and day out with these people and they become family. That’s something I will miss the most is the community and friendship from Outlander.
“They are doing Blood of my Blood which I believe comes out in the summer, it’s now my opportunity to become a fan,” Sam hinted, referring to the upcoming spin-off series that will explore the backstory of Claire and Jamie Fraser’s parents.
Outlander enthusiasts were over the moon last week when the release date for the eagerly awaited spin-off, Blood of My Blood, was finally announced. This news has come as fans are on tenterhooks for the eighth and concluding season of Outlander itself.
The official Starz account on Instagram excitedly shared the premiere date of the prequel, stating, “Can true love overcome rival clans? Experience Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser’s story in Outlander: Blood of My Blood premiering August 8 on STARZ.”
The forthcoming series will delve into the lives of Jamie’s parents, Ellen MacKenzie (played by Pennyworth actress Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Condor’s Nest actor Jamie Roy), alongside Claire’s parents, Julia Moriston (portrayed by Hermione Corfield of We Hunt Together fame) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine from Treadstone).
“The series will centre on these two parallel love stories set in two different eras, with Jamie’s parents in the early 18th-century Scottish Highlands and Claire’s parents in WWI England,” the official synopsis reveals.
Matthew B. Roberts, who is at the helm of Outlander, will continue his role as showrunner and executive producer for the spin-off series.
The inaugural season will consist of 10 episodes. Maril Davis and Ronald D. Moore are set to join the team as executive producers, while Outlander author Diana Gabaldon will lend her expertise as a consulting producer.
