Back in March 2026, Outlander author Diana Gabaldon reassured fans that the show would have a satisfying ending. With season 8 coming to an end, Gabaldon shared her thoughts on a future adaptation of Book 10 of the series.
Gabaldon told Parade that, given the limited time, Book 10 would’ve been impossible to adapt for Outlander, in what would presumably have been season 9. But when pre-production started for season 8, Gabaldon said that the book was “nowhere near being done.”
She has stated, however, that she has partially stepped back from the show’s production in order to finish writing Book 10, hopefully aiming for a release date either at the end of 2026 or sometime in 2027.
Diana Gabaldon is open to having Book 10 adapted
Regarding the possibility of adapting the last book of the series, Gabaldon said: “After Book 10 comes out, someone can decide if they want to do something televisual with that or not.” When asked if she would be okay with that happening, she said it would depend on who was taking on the project, and that she would hope for it to be the same people who have been working on Outlander for nearly a decade.
When the show outpaces the books
Gabaldon has long criticized while also praising the adaptation of her best-selling book series. She recently talked about how some of the changes that were written in the show took the narrative too far from the beloved book series, in particular a major character’s death in Episode 7.
The ninth book of the series, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, was published in 2021, when the show had just been renewed for its seventh season. Fans had hoped Book 10 would eventually be published in time for the last Outlander season, giving the show source material for its ending.
Alas, as Gabaldon said herself, show business is a “very active industry” and “a book moves a lot more slowly.” We don’t really blame her for taking so long to finish her story. It’s a beloved series that deserves a proper ending, just like Outlander needed its finale to remain faithful to the original story.
The growing Outlander franchise
Between the sequel series Blood of My Blood and this statement from Diana Gabaldon, the Outlander franchise could grow in many directions. Since season 8 has been marked as the last season of the show, we don’t expect a season 9, following Book 10.
However, we have speculated on a possible expansion towards the big screen. Certainly an Outlander movie would be welcomed by fans. In the meantime, we’ll have the second season of Blood of My Blood to keep us sated in the fall.
The Outlander finale is now out on STARZ.
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