It looks like we will be getting a lot more from theOutlanderseries, as a new prequel show is in the works at Starz. As reported byThe Hollywood Reporter,Outlanderexecutive producer and showrunner Matthew B. Roberts is attached to write and executive produce the prequel. Roberts currently has an overall deal at Sony. It looks like a writers room is currently being put together with a target date to begin in the coming weeks.
Outlanderhas been a massive hit on the network, and many fans have been waiting for more information on the upcoming season and potential spinoffs for some time. Now it seems that Starz is ready to expand theOutlanderuniverse.
Will the Outlander Prequel Follow the Same Story?
Outlanderis based on the ongoing novel series of the same name by Diana Gabaldon. Gabaldon recently teased on social media that she is still working on a prequel novel about Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser, the parents of theOutlandermain character Jamie Fraser. Gabaldon also published the prequel novella Virgins in 2013 as part of the Dangerous Women anthology. That story focused on a young Jamie Fraser and Ian Murray in 1740s France. Although we don’t have any official word, the new prequel series could focus on that. However, at this time, this is all speculation. As far as casting goes for the prequel, that is also up in the air at this time.
Ronald D. Moore, who developedOutlanderfor television, will also executive produce along with Maril Davis under their Tall Ship Productions banner. As withOutlanderSony Pictures Television will be the studio. The exciting news of the prequel came just as Season 6 ofOutlanderis set to arrive at Starz on March 6th, 2022. We also know that a season 7 is already greenlit to go. Production on Season 6 was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed back the premiere date over a year. The upcoming season is based on theOutlanderbook “A Breath of Snow and Ashes,” the season will be eight episodes long. As far as season 7 goes, that will be based on “An Echo in the Bone” and will consist of 16 episodes.
Seeing a spinoff is no surprise asOutlanderremains one of the premium cable’s most popular shows.Outlanderexecutive producer Ron Moore hinted at potential spinoffs from the main series in an interview onThe Hollywood Reporter’sTV’s Top 5podcastin February 2021: “I feel very optimistic about it,” he said. “I agree that I would’ve been happy to see [spinoffs] happen sooner than this, but everything happens in its time. When Starz and Sony were contacted, both reps declined to comment. In the meantime, you can catch up with all the past seasons on Netlfix or Starz as we approach the premiere date for season 6 on March 6th.
