Brace Yourselves, Heughligans: ‘Outlander’ Season 8 Will Be the Final Season of the Starz Drama

No fear, Outlander fans. Your favorite STARZ series isn’t going anywhere. The historical drama has been renewed for an eighth and final season, and the time-traveling hijinks will continue beyond that as the network also ordered a prequel series.

The prequel series will consist of 10 episodes and will welcome the return of Matthew B. Roberts, Ronald D. Moore, and Maril Davis, from the original series. The new show is said to “center on the lives and relationship of Jamie Fraser’s parents, Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie.”

Roberts shared in a statement that the series is “at its heart, a love story.” He said, “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.”

He went on to tease the impending end of the Outlander series and how the prequel will allow the show’s legacy to live on.

“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,” Roberts added.

He continued, “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.”

Kathyrn Busby, President of Original Programming at Starz, echoed Roberts’ sentiments. She said in a statement, “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.”

Roberts will write and serve as a showrunner for the prequel series. He will executive produce alongside Moore and Davis, who both developed Outlander under their production banner Tall Ship Productions. The final season of the flagship series will contain ten episodes, following the release of the 16-episode seventh season which will air this summer.

Fans were ecstatic to hear of the celebratory news, which was shared through a video of the cast and crew on social media. “Every good story must come to an end,” a cast member tells the camera.

Journalist Amanda-Rae Prescott tweeted, “At least I have a year and change to prepare to say goodbye to #Outlander.” Another expressed, “My love for this show and the people and the fandom, runs very very deep. It’s the kind of love that transcends a lifetime.”

Roberts thanked the show’s fans, telling them, “It was your steadfast passion and loyalty that helped make season EIGHT and Blood Of My Blood happen. You’re the best!”

Outlander is based on Diana Gabaldon novels and premiered on Starz in 2014. The show follows a former WWII nurse who finds herself transported back in time to 1743 where she falls in love with a warrior. The series stars Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton, Richard Rankin, John Bell and more.