Outlandershowrunner Maril Davis reveals which novels seasons 7 and 8 will adapt. The historical fantasy series is based on Diana Gabaldon’s series of novels that explore how a World War II nurse is thrown back in time to 1743 and falls in love with a highlander. Starring Catriona Balfe and Sam Heughan, the show began in 2014. While season 7 has yet to be concluded, it has been confirmed thatOutlanderseason 8will bring the story to a close.
Davis and Gabaldon opened up toThe Directabout what to expect from the second half ofOutlanderseason 7. Davis confirmed that season 7 will tackle book six,A Breath of Snow and Ashes, before exploring the events depicted inAn Echo in the BoneandWritten in My Own Heart’s Blood.Season 8 will then adapt novel 9,Go Tell the Bees I Am Gone, and elements of the unreleased and untitled book 10. They said:
Maril Davis:Season 7 actually encompasses the last little part of book six, because we didn’t, weren’t able to finish in Season 6, then books seven and eight. Season 8 will be book nine… I wish we had more of book ten.
Diana Gabaldon:[And] little pieces of book 10.
Davis:I wish we had more of book ten… I mean, I would love to finish [all the books]. I mean, whether or not all the characters survive, don’t survive in Season 8.I would like to come back for book ten.
Davis then explained how the adaptation process has grown more complicated as the series has progressed, with new lore and the difference in mediums making it more complicated to faithfully translate each novel.The showrunner noted that this was especially notable with season 8, as Davis must try to tie up a story ahead of its proper resolution.
Davis:I think for the writers, it does get a little more tricky because in the first book, everything’s new. Certainly, the first book lays out the easiest. I mean, it’s very linear as you go, Diana is incredible on the page, but as a production, it’s very hard to then weave all these things that are added in.
Also, in the books, some things happen that might happen again in another book, but because the books are so far apart, it doesn’t bother you. But when you’re doing a show, and everything’s truncated, all of sudden, it feels like you’re repeating something that didn’t feel like that in the book.
And I think that’s what fans don’t get, that they’re–– you sometimes do that because reading it is so different than when you’re translating it to your [head].
So, I think it’s gotten harder actually. And certainly this last book feels like it, it’s setting up for book 10. So it was a harder book I thought to end on.
What Davis' Comments Mean For Outlander’s Final Season
The Show May Not Be Able To Strike A Balance
Davis' remarks leave some questions about howOutlander’s television adaptation will come to a close. While it was initially confirmed in 2021 that season 7 would adapt the events of the seventh book into twelve episodes, the count was later raised to 16. While this can accommodate for what wasleft out ofOutlanderseason 6,the rest of season 7 will also feature an additional novelwithin its runtime.
Outlander Timeline Explained
Here is a complete breakdown of the Outlander timeline and its rules about time travel, including everything from seasons 1 through 6.
Furthermore, while Gabaldon’s involvement can ensure the series has the same trajectory of the novels, it is unclear just how much of the tenth book will factor into the final season.Outlanderisn’t the first adaptation to occur while its source material is ongoing, with projects such asScott Pilgrim vs. The WorldandGame of Thronesoffering positive and negative examples for such a situation. It isn’t clear whereOutlanderwill fall just yet, but the increasing difficulty of adapting Claire and Jamie’s storymight make this a tricky ending to pull off.
Our Take On Outlander Season 7 And 8’s Books
Season 7 May Have Set Up Promising Expectations For The Show’s End
While season 8 is seemingly set to wrap up the main story,it will not mark the end of theOutlanderfranchise. A ten-episode prequel seriestitledOutlander: Blood of My Bloodwill explore Jamie’s parents' lives, with the premise being left open to be expanded upon. Though this could have kept the franchise going enough to allow season 8 to be delayed, thus allowing Gabaldon to complete the tenth novel, it is clear both the author and Davis are working within the limitations they have been given.
Despite any trepidation, however, the first half ofOutlanderseason 7 has been received positively. It has a critics score of 100% and an audience score of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, showing that viewers of all kinds have been pleased with the execution of the penultimate season so far. As such,it seems fair to give the rest of the season a fair chanceand wait to see howOutlanderseason 8 shakes out before getting concerned about the ultimate ending.
Outlander
Cast
Outlander follows Claire Randall, a married nurse from 1945, who is transported back to 1743 Scotland. Amidst political intrigue and danger, she navigates life in the past and becomes torn between loyalty to her husband and the love for a dashing young warrior.
