Why Outlander the TV series will not get ahead of the books

There is a fear that the Outlander TV series will get ahead of the books. That’s not going to happen unless something drastic happens.

It takes time to write the Outlander books. Diana Gabaldon is still working on the final chapters of Book 9, titled “Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone.” With one more book planned in the main series, fans have naturally feared that the show will get ahead of the books.

That’s not going to happen. There’s no need to worry about the Outlander TV series getting ahead unless something drastic happens. Diana Gabaldon has previously said this won’t happen, making it clear we won’t have an issue like Game of Thrones.

But even now, fans worry. And I get it. With each book taking so long (no complaint, here! I understand how long it can take to create a masterpiece and appreciate it) and the show running a season every 14-18 months, it’s naturally to fear that the show is going to get ahead.

We’re only onto Season 5, though. Season 6 won’t start filming until May 2020, so we’re not likely to get the season until February 2021 at the earliest. However, no season has run exactly 12 months after the previous season, so we’re more than likely looking at March or April 2021.

Season 7 hasn’t yet been confirmed, but we know that it will likely happen. That season at the earliest would likely run February 2022 (assuming 12 months, which has never happened). We’re actually more likely to see it in the spring or summer of 2022.

With this pattern in mind, if STARZ renewed the series through to Season 10 to cover all 10 books, we’re looking at 2025 when Season 10 will need to film. That gives Herself time to write the final book in the series. Even if she doesn’t write it in full, she’ll have enough of the draft for the show creators to do the main storyline.

And if she doesn’t want to share that? Then the showrunners can hold off a little. Allow the cast to do other projects and hold off filming until the book is complete. If that’s 2026, so be it.

The simple truth is that there’s no need to be concerned about Outlander the TV series getting ahead of the books.