Outlander showrunners tease potential for future episodes as show ends before books

It's the final season of Outlander and as episodes continue to rock its fanbase each week, this is the final outing for the hit original series.

This final eighth instalment has already started off on a high, with nearly three million multi-platform viewers being reported in its premiere week. But seeing as this season isn't based on one of Diana Gabaldon's books, could there be scope to align the endings of both the book and the series?

When posed the question, executive producer Maril Davis told Radio Times and other press during a set visit: “I would – I mean, never say never. Who knows, five years from now, three years from now, what we’re all doing. The door would be open for me, I think, if the timing was right, people wanted to, there was interest. So, who knows.”

So, we may just have to wait until the timing's right for that one! As for when that would be, we'll just have to wait and see.

Seeing as each season of Outlander has been based on a corresponding book in Gabaldon's literary world, surely crafting this final season was a bigger feat than previous series.

On working with Gabaldon and valuing her input for this final season, Outlander showrunner Matthew B Roberts also told Radio Times and other press at the set visit: “We talked to her quite a bit about it. But what she’s gonna do, what we’re gonna do are gonna be – just like the show and the books – they’re two separate things.

"They have the same DNA, obviously but she’s gonna do what she’s gonna do and we’re gonna do what we’re gonna do. But she knows about it.”

Davis continued: “We’re just trying to be respectful because obviously, it’s weird to be doing the last season of the TV show where she still has a book left. So, it’s kind of hard because we don’t know where she’s taking the characters. So, we have to figure out a way to conclude it in a way that’s satisfying to everyone but also, doesn’t step on her toes.”

Roberts added: “And we don’t want to – if we end and the book’s not out, the damage is … I would think it’d damage the books so we don’t want to do that.”

Jokingly, Davis also said: “Maybe she’ll steal something from us!”

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It's safe to say that fans are anticipating what will unfold in the last moments of Outlander but for now, we can enjoy the few episodes that are currently out.

The official Outlander season 8 synopsis reads: "As season 8 begins, Jamie and Claire soon find the war has followed them home to Fraser’s Ridge, now a thriving settlement that has grown and flourished in their absence.

"With new arrivals and changes made during their years away, the Frasers are confronted with the question of what they are willing to sacrifice for the place they call home and, more importantly, what they would sacrifice to stay together."

It continues: "While the Frasers keep a united front against outside intruders, family secrets finally coming to light threaten to tear them apart from the inside. Although they’ve left the war for America’s freedom behind, their fight for Fraser’s Ridge has only just begun."

Outlander season 8 continues to air on MGM+ in the UK each Saturday, and on Starz in the US every Friday. You can buy Diana Gabaldon's books on Amazon.

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