‘Outlander’ S4: Everything we know so far
Pour yourself a dram and raise a toast in celebration of the fourth season of Outlander. The first three rounds of Starz’s historical drama have been a rambunctious ride of time travel, war, romance, heartbreak, and plenty of hanky panky.
As pointed out by Cinema Blend, the hiatus between seasons two and three was so long that it became known as Droughtlander, as more than a year passed between the season two finale and season three premiere.
However, it looks like we don’t have another drought on our hands as already details on season four are trickling out and we’ve got a release date. Here’s everything we know about S4 so far. Time to board the hype train (but beware – spoilers ahead).
When will S4 premiere?
We’ve got a date, people! November 4, 2018 is when the first episode will hit. Get that one in the diary to mark the end of the Droughtlander.
Season four will be based on Drums of Autumn
The narrative is set to follow Diana Gabaldon’s Drums of Autumn – the fourth Outlander book in her series. Per the author's website, the novel follows Claire, Jamie, and his nephew Ian as they “seek to find a place for themselves in the colony of North Carolina, treading a dangerous line between Governor Tryon’s patronage and Claire’s knowledge of the brewing revolution in America.”
Actor Sam Heughan said: “We ended in America in Georgia and season four is about them establishing a home in America, it's the new world, it's about America in its infancy, and of course the course of true love never did run smooth, but it's all good for a while.”
Fans who have read the book series will be stoked to see some of their favorite moments are being adapted for the small screen. However, anyone hoping to see that riverbed sex scene between Jamie and Claire should be aware that it might not play out in the way it does in the book.
Heughan joked to ET (with a hint of sarcasm in his voice), “No, we've not shot anything by a river, at all,” before adding, “There may be stuff there, but it's – I was going to say wet. There’s water involved, but it might not be a river, who knows?”
Meanwhile, Outlander executive producer Maril Davis provided further context on the scene while still keeping things pretty ambiguous so as not to give anything away: “We always kind of try to include things, but in a different way.”
Season four with once again tackle sexual assault
Outlander has been lauded for its tackling of the tricky subject of rape since day dot, so it’s no surprise the fourth instalment will delve into the issue once again. According to T&C, showrunner Ronald D. Moore stated: “We have a history of it with the show itself, (so the question becomes) how much of this material is in the show, when do we do it, when do we decide not to do it and why are we making that choice.”
Meanwhile, exec producer Toni Graphia added: “You have to approach it on a case-by-case basis and this is obviously a big story point, so it wasn't really an option not to do it. We just do what's true to our show and what we feel is emotionally relevant.
“We're not trying to glorify or titillate anyone with it. We just wanted to show that this is something that was unfortunately very prevalent in that period and was one of the dangers of being back there.”
Two new additions to the cast including a psychopathic villain
As y’all will know, Caitriona Balfe will be returning as Claire Fraser, while Heughan will be portraying Jamie Fraser once more. Meanwhile, Tobias Menzies plays the antagonist of the show, Black Jack Randall, as well as Claire's husband in the present day, Frank, and Sophie Skelton plays Jamie and Claire's daughter, Brianna.
John Bell will also be back as Ian Fraser Murray, Lauren Lyle as Marsali MacKimmie Fraser, Cesar Domboy as Fergus Fraser, and Richard Rankin as Roger Wakefield.
However, you’ll be pleased to know two new additions have been made to the cast for season four, including The Tudors’s Maria Doyle Kennedy as Jamie’s aunt Jocasta Cameron. Downton Abbey actor Ed Speleers will also join the team as Stephen Bonnet.
Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter about the character, executive producer Matt B. Roberts said: “Stephen Bonnet is a pure psychopath and a narcissist whose day-to-day is, ‘What's going to pleasure me?’ He's also a chameleon. He can act like anybody and fit into any situation, and that's what makes him so different. You never know what you're going to get with him.”
Heughan added that while it’s hard to top Black Jack, “we have with Bonnet. Ed Speleers committed to this. People are going to hate him. He’s so charming, so you kind of like him, but you find out later down the line that he does some really terrible things. He’s a great new villain.”
First look trailer shows the problems Jamie and Claire will face in America
The first look trailer for season four of Outlander shows the problems Jamie and Claire are set to face and overcome in North Carolina, while also hinting at the new villain, Bonnet. Check it out below:
There’s plenty more Outlander to come
Outlander has already been renewed for seasons five and six. Back in May, Starz confirmed two more seasons of the sexy time-travelling saga, with president and CEO Chris Albrecht saying in a statement: “Fans can rest assured their beloved Claire and Jamie will be back facing new challenges, adversaries and adventures in seasons five and six as we delve into American history and continue the story of the Frasers as they settle in the New World.”
We hope that’s quenched your Droughtlander thirst for the time being. Roll on November!
