Starz open to making Outlander “story extensions, spinoffs or sequels”

Outlander season 5 is coming fast, and I’m literally counting down the days on my Outlander calendar. It can’t get here soon enough, but at least we have some stuff to hold us over.

For example, Starz challenged the cast of the fifth season to describe the show in one sentence. Come on now, that’s impossible. While they couldn’t quite manage that, they do share a lot of tidbits about what to expect. So far, it seems like action, romance, and adventure are on the agenda. With the American Revolution rapidly approaching for our characters, we’re about to see Outlander intersect with history like it never has before. Will our heroes alter the course of history? So much could happen, couldn’t it?

See what the stars had to say below:

And there’s more. During this year’s TCA panel, Starz brought out the cast and crew to dish on all things season 5. In attendance were executive producers Ron D. Moore and Maril Davis, as well as leading cast members Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Richard Rankin and Sophie Skelton. Oh, how I adore this cast!

Starz president and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch teased that there may be potential Outlander spin-offs in the offing. Um, yes please. We would all love that!

"We think there is a lot of opportunity for story extensions and continue to look at that, and the various character and story extensions. We think there’s a lot of opportunity in the Outlander universe to have story extensions, spin-offs or sequels, we continue to look at that and talk with our partners at Sony. Hopefully we’ll find something that feels great and that we can continue to tell that story."

I would like a spin-off about Lord John Grey, please. Or even one about Jamie’s illegitimate son, Willie, who is being raised by Grey. Either or works for me!

When season 5 picks up, it looks like we’ll see the gang all together, living their best life on good ‘ol Fraser’s Ridge. Heughan talked about family life and what role it will play as the revolution approaches. “ has his extended family, a home and the woman he loves. On the surface, it’s looking good. But we all know the history he’s fighting against.”

One can understand the stress Jamie is under considering he’s supposed to be loyal to the Crown, who is asking him to arrest his own godfather, Murtagh. To make matters more complicated, Jamie knows exactly where Murtagh is, but will he do what’s been asked of him?

Heughan is a big fan of this Jamie/Murtagh storyline, in fact, it’s his favorite one!

"It’s interesting that Murtagh was always on Jamie’s side, and now we see two different sides with their politics. This is a storyline that isn’t in the books, and the biggest deviation. But I think it brilliantly plays out. It’s my favorite storyline for me, and my character, to play out. Murtagh has always been this father figure so for Jamie so to break that bond, and put Murtagh at a distance to protect him is very hard. It’s a great storyline and a wonderful piece of writing."

It feels like only yesterday that Murtagh and Jamie reunited. Why do they have to separate already?!

I’m sure that, just like me, many Outlander fans noticed Jamie wearing a Red Coat uniform in the trailers and promos — what’s up with that? Heughan explains:

"I thought it was a strong visual, but it goes against everything Jamie stands for. From his father’s death to [Black Jack] Randall, the Red Coats suppressed the Scots. So for him to wear it isn’t so much in the book, but the writers dig into it. It’s for the good of the people he’s trying to protect. And seeing him in that coat, for me, is full circle."

So Jamie is under heavy stress this season, but at least Claire is happy (for the most part), according to Balfe:

"She has Jamie and Brianna and Roger and Jemmie, and the extended family. Her life feels full and she has her surgery so she fulfills the professional side, along with being the lover and the wife. All sides feel attended to this season. But as the season goes on, it gets quite rough for them."

But don’t worry: we’ll get plenty of Jamie-and-Claire romance before everything hits the fan. “The circumstances of the season let us invest in the intimacy and passion of Claire and Jamie,” said Balfe. “The luxury of them being in the same place at the same time, let’s us show how they work together as a couple. It’s lovely to see them converse as a couple.”

Don’t miss the Outlander season 5 premiere on February 16 — I have a feeling we won’t be disappointed.

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h/t SYFY Wire