As various film and television productions try to operate under health guidelines and restrictions, Starz has made the decision to premiere the sixth season of Outlander in 2022 with a shortened season of eight episodes. This will then be followed by an extended seventh season consisting of 16 episodes in 2023. You can check out some Season 6 images released by Starz below…
The decision follows the production delay of Outlander as the team was not able to film last year due to the ongoing lockdowns amid the global pandemic. As production on the sixth season begins this week, the series will return in early 2022 with a 90-minute premiere. It will be based on the sixth book in Diana Gabaldon’s series of Outlander novels, A Breath of Snow and Ash.
The sixth and seventh seasons were meant to consist of 12 episodes as has been done in the series for the past few seasons. Due to the shortened season of six, the remaining four episodes have been allocated to the seventh for an extended 16-episode season. Season seven will begin production sometime in 2022 and will be based on Gabaldon’s seventh book An Echo in the Bone.
“We are excited to get into the editing room to work on bringing the fans one step closer to reuniting with the family back on Fraser’s Ridge,” said Outlander showrunner Matthew B. Roberts. “Filming in 2021 has presented an unprecedented set of challenges which led us to the decision to truncate the season in order to bring the fans the most vibrant and dynamic season as soon as possible. Dinna fash, we will then film an extended season seven with 16 episodes next year as life returns to normalcy.”
“We are committed to telling the story fully with gripping and bold storylines in the upcoming eight-episode season that introduces viewers to new characters including Tom, Allan and Malva Christie (Mark Lewis-Jones, Alexander Vlahos and Jessica Reynolds) who create tension on the Ridge,” said Christina Davis, President of Original Programming for Starz. “We can’t wait for viewers to see the exciting sixth season that reflects the Starz #TakeTheLead initiative through unapologetic storytelling and powerful female characters.”
Outlander stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan star as Claire and Jamie Fraser, along with Sophie Skelton and Richard Rankin as Brianna and Roger MacKenzie and John Bell as Young Ian. Ronald D. Moore of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Battlestar Galactica fame executive produces.
Establishing a home in the New World is by no means an easy task, particularly in the wild backcountry of North Carolina – and perhaps most significantly – during a period of dramatic political upheaval. The Frasers strive to maintain peace and flourish within a society which – as Claire knows all too well – is unwittingly marching towards Revolution. Against this backdrop, which heralds the birth of the new American nation, Claire and Jamie have built a home together at Fraser’s Ridge. They must now defend this home – established on land granted to them by the Crown – not only from external forces, but also from the increasing strife and conflict in the community within their care.
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