Outlander season 7: everything we know so far about renewal of Sam Heughan drama series after season 6

The cast of the popular Starz show will return for a seventh season

Production is well underway for Outlander season six to the delight of fans of the time-travelling show.

But since the so-called Droughtlander is finally coming to an end, many have been left wondering if a seventh series featuring Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe is in the pipeline.

Thankfully, Outlander season seven has been confirmed by Starz through a new video posted on Twitter.

A seventh series of Outlander featuring Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe has been confirmed (Getty Images)

Here is everything we know so far about the seventh season.

Will there be an Outlander season 7?

The show’s stars, including Heughan (who plays Jamie Fraser) and Balfe (Claire Fraser), made the much-anticipated announcement while answering questions from fans in a video.

Every question asked was about whether or not the show, which is based on the books by Diana Gabaldon, would be renewed for a seventh season.

Heughan read out a question from Balfe herself, who jokingly asked: “Am I coming back to work next year, and can I have a bigger trailer?”

The Scottish actor replied: “I'm afraid, Caitriona, no you can't have a bigger trailer, however, you are coming back for season seven, yes!”

Richard Rankin, who plays Roger Mackenzie Wakefield in the show, also confirmed: “There will be a season seven. Another season to potentially torture Roger.”

Brianna Fraser actress Sophie Skelton was another cast member to feature in the video.

She thanked fans for their continued support, along with Balfe who added: “A massive, massive thank you, and we can't wait to continue the story with all of you.”

Viewers were ecstatic to find out that Jamie Fraser would be continuing his romance with Claire past season six when it eventually airs.

Many shared their excitement on Twitter, with one writing: “You should celebrate and a lot. Both the return of this season and the renewal of the next. You deserve it!”

“Thank you to all of you who make this show possible! Outlander is a masterpiece and is a pleasure to watch! In these pandemic times I was watching it again and you have no idea how good it is to have something positive in the midst of so much bad,” another added.

What book will Outlander season 7 be based on?

Starz’ seventh series of Outlander will follow book number seven by Gabaldon, which is titled An Echo in the Bone.

“We are so excited Starz has given us the opportunity to continue the epic Outlander journey," showrunner Matthew B. Roberts said in a statement.

“We can't wait to get into the writers' room and start breaking Echo in the Bone and look forward to giving the fans another season of this exhilarating story.”

The seventh novel in the Outlander series sees Roger and Brianna return to the 20th century, while Claire and Jamie remain in the past in North America and are caught up in the Revolutionary War.

The events which play out in the book are likely to take place on screen, meaning fans should be prepared for the deaths of two major characters.

Sam Heughan previously hinted that Outlander season six could also feature events from An Echo in the Bone - just as season five drew on A Breath of Snow and Ashes.

Speaking to Parade, Sam said: “I would say because we have so much history and time travel and all that, we can pull from any book.

“So there may be not just book seven but other books we pull from.”

How many episodes will there be?

As the Outlander cast confirmed that the show would return for a seventh season, Starz kindly let fans know how many episodes there will be.

In total, there will be 12 episodes.

That’s the same as Outlander season six, five and four.

When will Outlander season 7 start filming?

There’s no doubt that the renewal of the time-travelling drama for a seventh series is very exciting, but fans shouldn’t get ahead of themselves quite yet.

Production on season six of Outlander only started in February 2021 after it was delayed due to the Covid crisis.

Therefore, there’s no indication as to when season seven could start filming yet.

Which cast members will return?

The Twitter video gave away which cast members would be returning for Outlander season seven.

Thankfully, Heughan, Balfe, Skelton and Rankin are all confirmed to return.

The series will be produced by Roberts alongside series creator Ronald D. Moore and Maril Davis, Toni Graphia, Andy Harries and Jim Kohlberg.

When will Outlander season six air?

All the talk of Outlander season seven has led fans to question when exactly the sixth season will air.

In February 2021, Heughan shared a photo of himself from the show’s set in Scotland, confirming that production had commenced.

“We’re BACK!!" the star wrote on Twitter.

"Feel very fortunate to be working right now, production are ensuring everyone is safe and protected. Now just need to deal with the snow...."

In an interview with Radio Times, Heughan also hinted at what is in store for Jamie and Claire in season six, following the controversial season five finale.

“We’re still in America, we’re in Fraser’s Ridge and there are some new characters who are friends and there are new foes, too,” he revealed.

“But we’re also building up to the War of Independence – nothing is ever easy in Outlander.”

As filming usually takes 10 months to complete, season six of the Starz show may not premiere until the end of 2021 at the earliest.