The finale of season three saw leads Claire (played by Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) embark on the next chapter of their lives together in the American colonies.
Following an epic shipwreck that saw Claire forced to fight for her life after nearly drowning in the depths of the Caribbean Sea, the pair held each other close in tears in the time-travel romance’s closing moments.
Yet while the scope of season four is already mapped out, and viewers are already aware that the cast and crew have returned to Scotland to film the next batch of episodes adapted from bestselling novelist Diana Gabaldon’s series of books, season five isn’t yet confirmed.
Now, Starz CEO Chris Albrecht has assured nervous fans that they shouldn’t “worry” about the critically-acclaimed Amazon Prime drama.
The executive revealed that he’d already been having “productive discussions about the future of the show” with Sony Pictures Television producers, which should be a relief to those desperate for details.
He continued: “There are ten books, and we are having very productive conversations about the future of the show.
“We have joined the legions of fans of Outlander around the world. Our biggest concern is making sure that we don’t kill Caitriona and Sam along the way.”
Based on Diana’s fourth book The Drums of Autumn, the series will make a swift gear-change as the lead couple finally set up a permanent home in North Carolina, which they affectionately call “Frasers Ridge”.
Irish actress Maria Doyle Kennedy, who played Mrs S from Orphan Black, has been cast as Jamie’s Aunt Jocasta, who Claire and Jamie will meet after they arrive at her plantation next season.
Scottish actor Sam, 37, had recently made his feelings known about leaving Scotland and the heritage of the show, saying that it was a “character all of its own” and it was a disappointment to move on.
Yet Caitriona, 38, didn’t seem to share the sentiment with her latest comments about a fresh start.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com, she shared: “It’s interesting to watch how all of these characters embrace the new land and all of the trials and tribulations that come along with that.
“As well as the excitement, and that kind of new beginning is really exciting to get on board with.”
Earlier this year, creator Ronald D. Moore drew on the star’s comments when he previewed the next season earlier this year.
“The scope really widens in Drums of Autumn,” he explained. “It’s a brilliant book and it just becomes much bigger; not just for us but as a whole.
“The story as a whole just becomes epic.”
Outlander season season 4 is expected to air on Amazon Prime Video later this year, and season 3 is still available to stream.
