5 reasons for ‘Outlander’ fans to still be excited in 2024 (and beyond)

August 9, 2024 marked a huge milestone for “Outlander”: 10 years since the first episode of Starz’s fantasy epic premiered in 2014. In a world where so many new shows get cancelled after a season or two, reaching 10 years, and an eventual eight seasons, is an incredible feat indeed. For all of us dedicated “Outlander” fans, Droughtlander (the time between seasons) has become a routine. And with some unprecedented events over the past few years (a pandemic, writers’ and actors’ strikes) fans have had to contend with extra-long Droughtlanders between Seasons 5 and 6, and there has been over a year wait between Parts 1 and 2 of Season 7.

However, despite the long wait, and the impending conclusion of the series, there is still plenty for “Outlander” fans to be excited about in 2024 (and beyond). Read on to see my five reasons why.

1. Season 7B is almost here.
It has been a long wait, as 7A concluded in August of 2023, and when it was announced earlier this year that 7B would not be hitting screens until November 2024, “Outlander” fans bemoaned the never-ending wait. But the good news is, we are now just about two months away. After over a year of waiting, two months is a piece of cake. You can do this, right, “Outlander” fans? Good things come to those who wait.

2. Fall promotion from the cast.
With Season 7B mere months away now, “Outlander” fans can look forward to some fall promotion from the various cast members — hooray! It has already been announced that the cast will be making appearances at PaleyFest as well as New York Comic Con in October, and there is likely to be more interviews or videos with the cast announced in the coming months. For many fans, there is no greater way to ramp up to the long awaited second part of Season 7.

3. Season 8 has entered its final block of filming.
Now, on the surface this can seem to be a bit of a downer. Our beloved “Outlander,” which has been in production for nearly 11 years at this point, is nearing the end. However, it can also be viewed as being closer to getting to see how this epic story fans have been following will wrap up. Book readers and non-book readers alike can only guess how it will all end, as Diana Gabaldon still has at least one more book in the series to come, leaving the showrunners to craft their own ending. True, this can go sideways — just ask some devoted fans of “Games of Thrones.” But it also leaves room for surprise and closure for the world the show has created.

4. We have a prequel coming.
“Outlander: Blood of My Blood” has already completed filming its first season, and will follow the story of the parents of Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitríona Balfe). The upcoming book from Gabaldon leaves room for any number of interesting stories. Jamie’s parents (Brian and Ellen) are in 1700s Scotland, Claire’s parents (Henry and Julia) are in 1900s England, with the show exploring these two love stories unfolding in parallel timelines 200 years apart. The audience knows their offspring with find each other across time and fall in love, but they don’t know that. It has not been announced yet when “Blood of My Blood” will premiere, or if or how it may intertwine with the final season, but it’s safe to say “Outlander” fans can be excited to see how this story unfolds.

5. Future projects from Balfe and Heughan.
Lastly, even though it will be sad to say goodbye to Jamie and Claire, fans will get to see what comes next for the leading stars post-“Outlander.” Over the course of the show’s run, Balfe and Heughan have been dedicated to filming the series, which often means they have precious little time to work on other projects. This is not to say they have not fit a few in during their hiatus. Heughan has had projects such as “The Spy who Dumped Me” (2018), “Bloodshot” (2020) and “Love Again” (2023), and Balfe has had “Money Monster” (2016), “Ford v Ferrari” (2019) and “Belfast” (2021), to name a few. However, it is undeniable that with the conclusion of their time on “Outlander,” they will have more time to explore other projects and branch outside of the iconic characters they have played for over a decade. And for “Outlander” fans, as sad as it will be to bid adieu to the Frasers, being able to see Balfe and Heughan take on new characters and have new films or shows to support will be a happy adventure.

So “Outlander” fans, while feelings may be mixed over the impending end of the beloved show, there is plenty to still look forward to. The Droughtlander is almost over, and there is so much coming ahead, so enjoy!

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