The creator of Outlander makes an exciting announcement about the fantasy series
OUTLANDER creator Diana Gabaldon has assured fans that while the TV series is coming to an end, her books will continue with the next chapter.
Filming will begin on the final installment in the hit fantasy series, starring Sam Heughan as Jacobite warrior Jamie Fraser and Caitriona Balfe as time-travelling nurse Claire Randal next year – a decade after its global launch.
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But while STARZ’s US television executives have decided to wrap things up after Season 8 with a dramatic finale, Diana has no plans to write The End for Jamie and Claire anytime soon.
She says, “Given that most TV shows don’t get past the first season, we’re extremely blessed with the show’s success.
“I know the cast, crew and production people feel the same way. Still, it will be a good 10-year run showand that is something remarkable.
“But you know, I write the books. They won’t stop until I do.”
Outlander Season 7 is out weekly right now episodes on Amazon Prime in the UK as filming begins for the final season, which is expected to air in 2025.
The producers have done their best to convince leads Sam and Caitriona to return for one last gig as they are both now interested in pursuing different projects.
Sam, 43, from Balmaclellan Dumfriesshire, is set to have another Hollywood break following his role in Bloodshot with Vin Diesel in 2020, while Caitriona, also 43, wants to direct after securing that Movie Rights to Sarah Crossan’s novel Here is the Beehive.
Diana, who is also a co-writer and executive producer of the TV series Outlander, says: “It takes a long time for the actors to make their normal lives subordinate to the demands – and it’s demanding.”
“Sam once told me, ‘It’s intense and unrelenting,’ and he’s right. I worked on a block for three weeks, standing outside Weatherfourteen hours a day.
“I had to wear six layers of rubberized and woolen clothing five, sometimes even six days a week — the cast and crew do it non-stop for months.”
Arizona-born Diana’s first Outlander novel was published in 1991, famously before the author even visited Scotland.
BLOOD
Her nine Outlander books have now sold over 50 million copies in 39 languages while she is currently working on the tenth book in the series.
Meanwhile it is married The mother-of-three is also busy writing an Outlander prequel show called Blood of my Blood – or BOMB in short.
And Diana reveals that TV executives are hoping the series will actually be a hit with Outlander fans craving for more historical adventure.
PREQUELS
She says: “I always intended to write a prequel like this as a book, covering the life and times of Jamie Fraser ParentsBrian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie and the Jacobite Risings of 1715 and 1719 and work on the 10th Outlander novel.”
However, Blood of my Blood recently hit the pause button because hit by the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and TV producers.
Diana, 71, says: “That means the writers can’t write or.” work about scripts – and don’t even talk to the producers about those scripts until the strike ends.”
OUTLANDER CONFERENCE
But this month the author will come back to that university from Glasgow as guest of honor at her Pandemic delayed Outlander conference.
The famous university was used as a filming location for Outlander, and Diana also received an honorary doctorate from the institution last year.
She says: “Glasgow has gradually attracted me, well, that’s true too Scotlandto be fair since I entered the place.”
The former university professor has been praised by scholars for her accurate historical accounts, including Bonnie’s prince Charlie in her novels.
PRINCE CHARLIE
She says: “Prince Charlie was a fascinating character and there are many very conflicting opinions about him and what he did.
“I have read and evaluated a number of historical and contemporary accounts of his life and times Research that went into her.
“Some reports were very detailed and provided factual evidence, others less so, and my fictional account was based on what seemed best to me.
“But essentially, Story is not “what happened”. It’s what someone wrote about it. This means that I do not attribute my own fictional representation of a historical person to any particular account.”
DEEP DIVE
However, Diana admits that she is a bit reticent about academics Outlander Conference delve so deeply into their own work.
She says: “It looks extremely interesting. However, when people comment “scientifically” about your work, it’s likely to be either intriguing or annoying
“On the other hand, an unexpected question can really shed light on a point or best result and prompt further questions.
“In this case, I’m just glad that people are asking questions and sharing their own insights. But I’m really looking forward to it.”
BREAK
For now though, rave reviews Viewers have flocked to the current 16-episode series, which will be shown in two parts, with the final eight episodes being shown after a ‘break’.
And Diana got to witness the reactions of fans herself as she visited the world premiere Screening at Tribeca Film festival In new York with Sam and Caitriona.
She says: “I just got back from Smokey new Yorkwhere I had the pleasure of watching the first episode of the seventh season in the company of a large crowd of very enthusiastic Outlander fans.
EXCEPTIONAL CLAIM ABOUT DI’S BEST-SELLING BOOKS
While DIANA has sold more than 50 million copies of her books around the world – her novels have also received special attention on a “Trigger Warning” website.
Booktriggerwarnings.com has compiled an extensive list of “offensive” content for over 7,000 books, including classics from Jane Austen to Charles Dickens.
And they have warned that the Outlander books contain “alcohol, attempted rape, blood, hospitals, misogyny/sexism, profanity, rape.”
It also includes references to “Satan/the Devil, sexual harassment and assault, sexually explicit scenes, sexual torture, violence and war.”
Diana joked: “I’m very flattered. But some people don’t seem to understand the general concept of historical fiction—or history, for that matter.
“But you know, if someone tells me something I’ve written is ‘problematic,’ I just politely tell them it’s their problem, not mine.”
“They made it big and the cast and I were very pleased.
“It’s a very eventful season, full of action, Violence – hey, it’s in the middle of the American Revolution – with LoveJealousy, sexgrief, weapons And medicine.
“There are also Hessians with very neat mustaches – and also a few kilts.”
But while she still has big plans, Diana knows it will be an emotional moment when the curtain finally falls on Sam and Caitriona’s Outlander odyssey.
She jokes, “Well, it wasn’t me planning Cut them off and never speak to them again, you know, but yeah, I’m sure it’s going to be emotional.
“But the Pretty The thing about modern entertainment is that nothing ever dies and something else always comes in its place.”
*The Outlander Conference takes place at the University of Glasgow from July 18th to 22nd. For more information and tickets click HERE.
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