Sam Heughan has opened up about what he’ll miss the most after wrapping up filming on Outlander, where he’s been a staple as Jamie Fraser for over a decade. The Scottish actor is gearing up to bid farewell to his iconic role with the show’s final season approaching, where the writers have gone to big lengths to keep actors in the dark over details of the ending.
Chatting with Lorraine Kelly on her ITV show this Thursday, Heughan, who made a “special” gesture to a co-star during a new project, discussed his new WWF campaign that emphasizes connecting with nature. During the conversation, he also touched upon the bittersweet end of Outlander – whose spin off show’s premiere date has been revealed – leaving fans eager for the eighth and last season.
Lorraine said: “It has been such a huge part of your life Outlander and I know the fans will be watching of course they will. It’s one of those shows its worked hand in hand.”
To which Sam responded: “I mean the books were written over 20 years ago, and Diana Gabaldon, I mean we must thank her, she’s still writing. She on the tenth book, we finished about book eight or nine.
“We have had to find an ending to ours but whether you’re a fan of the books and read them or not, there’s 101 episodes to dig into.”
Reflecting on his time on the series, Sam shared: “You work day in and day out with these people and they become family. That’s something I will miss the most is the community and friendship from Outlander.
“Can true love overcome rival clans? Experience Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser’s story in Outlander: Blood of My Blood, premiering August 8 on STARZ.”
Heughan hinted at becoming a fan himself with the unveiling of the upcoming spin-off show, Blood of My Blood, whose release this summer has fans buzzing, reports the Daily Record.
Excitement enveloped Outlander enthusiasts last week when the premiere date for the eagerly anticipated prequel, Blood of My Blood, was disclosed. This comes as fans are on tenterhooks waiting for the eighth and final installment of the Outlander saga itself.
Celebrating the announcement of the prequel’s debut set for August 8, the Starz official handle on Instagram tantalizingly asked: “Can true love overcome rival clans? Experience Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser’s story in Outlander: Blood of My Blood, premiering August 8 on STARZ.”
Blood of My Blood promises to delve into the backstory of Jamie’s parents, Ellen MacKenzie (portrayed by Harriet Slater from Pennyworth) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy of Condor’s Nest), parallel to that of Claire’s parents, Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield of We Hunt Together) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine from Treadstone).
“The series will center on these two parallel love stories set in two different eras, with Jamie’s parents in the early 18th-century Scottish Highlands and Claire’s parents in WWI England,” the official outline states.
Steering the ship of both Outlander and its offshoot, Matthew B. Roberts continues his role as showrunner and executive producer for the new venture.
The initial season will consist of 10 episodes. Maril Davis and Ronald D.
Moore is set to join the team as executive producer, while Outlander’s author Diana Gabaldon will be contributing her expertise as a consulting producer.