‘Outlander’ Should Adapt the Final Book as a Film

'Outlander' Should Adapt the Final Book as a Film

Quick Links

  • Diana Gabaldan’s 10th ‘Outlander’ Novel, Explained
  • How the 10th ‘Outlander’ Novel Should Be Adapted

As a dedicated fan of Outlander since the very first episode, I’ve been captivated by the rich tapestry of historical drama and romance that unfolds across centuries. The journey of Claire and Jamie Fraser has become an integral part of my life, and their story has touched my heart in ways few other series have managed to do.


With the second part of Outlander Season 7 set to debut on November 22, 2024, it appears that the journey of Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser in this beloved TV series is drawing to a close. Since we last saw them, fifteen months have gone by, during which their honeymoon in 1945 was abruptly transported back to the American Revolution era of the 1700s. Only eight more episodes stand between us and the finale of this epic historical drama in late 2025 or early 2026.

After each season of Outlander aligns with Diana Gabaldon’s source novels, it’s expected that Season 8 will delve into the happenings of her ninth book, Go Tell the Bees That I’m Gone. With Gabaldon working on a 10th novel, it seems likely that this story could be brought to life in some form on screen. Upon wrapping up the main Outlander TV series, creators might choose to adapt Gabaldon’s 10th novel as a theatrical release or standalone TV movie.

What Is ‘Outlander’ About?

'Outlander' Should Adapt the Final Book as a Film'Outlander' Should Adapt the Final Book as a Film'Outlander' Should Adapt the Final Book as a Film

Ronald D. Moore created “Outlander,” a captivating blend of historical time-travel fantasy, inspired by Diana Gabaldon’s acclaimed novel series. This show first aired on Starz in August 2014. The story revolves around Claire Randall (played by Caitríona Balfe), a nurse from the 1940s who unexpectedly finds herself whisked away from the battlefields of World War II to the heart of the 18th century. As she navigates her strange new world, Claire encounters and becomes smitten with Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), a robust and charismatic Highland warrior.

In each season of the Outlander series, one or two books from the collection are adapted. For example, Season 1 is based on the author’s debut novel, Outlander. Similarly, Season 2 follows the storyline of the second book, Dragonfly in Amber, and so on. The initial seven novels in this series were published between 1991 and 2009.

The eighth book, titled “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood,” was released in 2014, coinciding with the premiere of the TV series adaptation. Since its beginning, books eight and nine formed the finale for the series as the Frasers navigated the American Revolution in the late 1700s during Season 8. Diana Gabaldon’s ninth book, “Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone,” came out in 2021. It is expected that Season 8 will conclude with the ninth novel’s ending. However, the author has left room for further storytelling with an upcoming untitled 10th and potentially final “Outlander” novel slated for publication between 2025 and 2026.

Diana Gabaldan’s 10th ‘Outlander’ Novel, Explained

'Outlander' Should Adapt the Final Book as a Film'Outlander' Should Adapt the Final Book as a Film'Outlander' Should Adapt the Final Book as a Film

Back in June of 2021, I, a devoted cinephile, found myself immersed in the crafting of what could be my final Outlander novel – the tenth one, that is. This revelation followed closely on the heels of the publication of the ninth book, offering solace to fans who had long pondered about the fate of the Frasers. As I shared with Town & Country, I had been carefully planning a satisfying resolution for this captivating tale.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve embarked on writing something truly captivating, but progress has been slow due to the whirlwind of activities surrounding the book launch. My focus is scattered, making it challenging to work as efficiently as I’d like. Nevertheless, ideas are beginning to ferment and bubble up, much like the tar pits at La Brea, revealing glimpses of what lies beneath – a rich tapestry of stories waiting to be told.

Approximately six months from now, in May 2022, Gabaldon requested understanding from her followers, assuring them that she was diligently working on the massive book, which she referred to as an 800-page tome. On her official site, she expressed this sentiment.

I can’t provide an exact timeline for when Book Ten will be completed or published, as it takes considerable time to create an 800-page novel, including extensive research on historical and related subjects.

As a die-hard Outlander fan, I’ve been eagerly awaiting news about the next book. Diana Gabaldon hinted that the 10th novel might be her last, but she’s keeping us guessing about the details. She’s even left the release date up in the air, promising it will hit shelves some time between now and 2026. I can only hope that Starz Network or creator Ronald D. Moore will pick up the story to give us a satisfying ending, one way or another.

How the 10th ‘Outlander’ Novel Should Be Adapted

'Outlander' Should Adapt the Final Book as a Film'Outlander' Should Adapt the Final Book as a Film'Outlander' Should Adapt the Final Book as a Film

It seems sensible to bring the Frasers’ joyful conclusion from the Outlander Series 8 (expected in 2025-2026), coinciding with Gabaldon’s 10th book, to life on screen. Given that the show is slated to end after Season 8, a viable option could be producing a TV movie or limited theater release as a fitting conclusion. Taking inspiration from The Last Kingdom, another historical series based on novels that concluded with a spin-off film, this approach might work well here.

Debuted in 2015, “The Last Kingdom” is a British historical TV series based on Bernard Cornwell’s “Saxon Stories” novel series. The first season encompasses the first two books of the series, while Season 2 focuses on novels three and four, and subsequent seasons follow suit. By the fifth and concluding season of “The Last Kingdom,” the screen adaptation included Cornwell’s ninth and tenth novels from the series.

After a year since the final chapter of “The Last Kingdom” unfolded, Cornwell’s 13th and concluding novel, War Lord, was brought to life on the big screen. This film also drew upon narrative threads from the 12th novel, Sword of Kings, creating a compelling structure that I believe “Outlander” enthusiasts would appreciate emulating. As avid fans of the Frasers eagerly await their promised happy ending in the upcoming book, the last thing we’d want is to be deprived of it prematurely on screen.

Instead of continuing or prolonging the series to incorporate the 10th book, it seems more logical to follow in the steps of “The Last Kingdom” and produce a movie adaptation instead. This could be either a TV movie produced by Starz, or a limited theatrical event. Regardless, fans would eagerly anticipate what might be the Frasers’ final adventure, curious to find out how their story ultimately concludes.

Additionally, it’s noteworthy that in February 2022, Starz declared intentions to create a prequel series for “Outlander,” titled “Outlander: Blood of My Blood.” This prequel will be rooted in Diana Gabaldon’s first “Outlander” book and primarily focus on the lives of Jamie’s parents, Brian and Ellen Fraser. If Starz moves forward with this prequel, the producers would also need to adapt Gabaldon’s upcoming 10th novel in the series, which could potentially be the last one. By the way, “Outlander” can be streamed on Netflix.

Read More

Sorry. No data so far.

2024-11-17 03:35