Does Counterpart Season 2’s return date hint at Outlander’s winter break?

Counterpart Season 2 premieres on STARZ in December. Does this hint at when Outlander will take a short winter break?

While many of us are eagerly waiting for Outlander Season 4 to premiere, it’s difficult to ignore the fact that there will need to be a short winter break. The Counterpart Season 2 premiere date has now been confirmed. Could this be a hint of when Claire and Jamie will take a little shore leave for the cold weather?

Counterpart took over Outlander‘s Sunday night timeslot last year, giving fans something else based on science fiction and fantasy. The second season could follow suit, but there’s a slight problem with it this time around. If the second season is going to debut in December like last year, that will clash with Outlander Season 4.

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Sure enough, the premiere date for the alternate dimension series is set for Dec. 9, 2018. That’s around the same time as last year’s premiere. Outlander will only be five episodes into its fourth season at this point, suggesting that the fourth season is going to take a short break around this point.

We knew that the show would have to take a short break at some point around this time of year, but at Episode 5 out of 13, this doesn’t seem like the best timing unless there’s a major cliffhanger at the end of that fifth episode. That’s a little more than a month of episodes before a break.

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And speaking of break, how long is STARZ planning on this break being? A well-timed break could be beneficial. We know Outlander Season 5 filming won’t start until around February. Allowing Counterpart five episodes before bringing Claire and Jamie back could certainly help to keep Droughtlander to a minimum. However, it’s annoying when we just want to watch our favorite love story play out.

Of course, we don’t know the time Counterpart will air. It could get the 9/8c timeslot, allowing Outlander Season 4 to keep its timeslot beforehand and air a few more episodes before taking a break for Christmas.

STARZ isn’t the most forthcoming with its scheduling further than a month. This is just something we’ll have to wait and see when the December listings come out around this time next month.

Do you think the Counterpart Season 2 premiere is an indication of Outlander‘s winter break? What do you think of the idea of a month or so without Claire and Jamie? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Outlander Season 4 premieres Nov. 4 at 8/7c on STARZ. Counterpart Season 2 premieres Dec. 9.