Everything You Need to Know About ‘Outlander’ Season 6 Before the Premiere This Weekend

So it’s been quite a while since season 5 of Outlander hit Starz, and I can’t be the only one practically dying of Droughtlander. But don’t worry, people, because the Jamie Fraser–shaped hole in our hearts is slowly closing up. Season 6 is hitting our screens this weekend (premiering March 6), and we do know this: It’s definitely going to be one for the books. The saga is not over for our favorite clan.

If you’ve been following Sam Heughan’s socials (and we know you are), he’s been very good at keeping us in the know about what’s happening with the new season. He’s gushed about the scripts, given updates on filming, and even shared glimpses of what we can expect from the costumes this season. But outside of Sam’s wonderful hints, here’s what we know about the sixth season.

Outlander season 6 is happening, but it's going to look different.

Unlike season 5, the sixth season will consist of eight episodes. And before we all start screaming about the shortened season, we need to remember that COVID-19 stopped production and limited the amount of episodes filmed. But thanks to Sam Heughan again (whatever would we do without this wonderful soul?), we do know season 7 will make up for it with double the amount of episodes than its predecessor.

“We are excited to get into the editing room to work on bringing the fans one step closer to reuniting with the family back on Fraser’s Ridge,” showrunner Matthew B. Roberts told Entertainment Weekly. “Filming in 2021 has presented an unprecedented set of challenges, which led us to the decision to truncate the season in order to bring the fans the most vibrant and dynamic season as soon as possible. Dinna fash, we will then film an extended season 7 with 16 episodes next year as life returns to normalcy.”

On behalf of the Outlander family, we thank you very much.

What will season 6 be about?

The show (mostly) faithfully follows Diana Gabaldon’s book series, and so the sixth season will adapt the sixth book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes. First of all, that title…Game of Thrones much? Tell me that doesn’t sound like a Song of Ice and Fire remix. As you may have expected from the events of season 5, the story follows Claire and Jamie as they find themselves low-key on the wrong side of history during the American Revolution. Oops.

As a Christmas gift to Outlander fans everywhere, Starz released a scene from the season 6 premiere. In the scene, Claire and Jamie talk about the Christie family (Tom, played by Mark Lewis Jones, and his kids, Allan and Malva), who have just arrived at Fraser’s Ridge.

“We just wanted to come into the first episode and really give you background on that relationship,” executive producer Matthew B. Roberts explained to Entertainment Weekly. “There’s this assumption that all of Jamie’s Ardsmuir men are people he had a good relationship with and who look up to him, and that might not be the case.”

Then Caitríona Balfe slid in with a tease that, yes, these guys are the antagonists of the season. “They are not your typical villains,” she said according to EW. “There are so many twists in the tale. It’s very destabilizing for Claire.”

Watch it yourself below:

We have some sneak peek photos.

On June 1 (aka World Outlander Day), Starz (and, yes, Sam too) announced the season officially wrapped before Memorial Day Weekend!

And to celebrate, the network released some official photos of what we can expect from the new season.

Also, if I may ask: Why is the Fraser family just so darn cute???

And we also have a full trailer:

When will season 6 hit my screen?

Mark your calendars, everyone! Season 6 will finally drop on our screens starting March 6, with episodes to follow weekly! And the first episode? Well, it’s definitely going to be juicy, with it being a whopping 90 minutes long! Yeah, I’m going to need a glass of Sam’s whisky to process this one.

How will I survive until season 6?

Outlander fans are definitely going to want to put their Starz subscription to work and check out Men in Kilts. It’s a doc series about Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish going on a Scottish road trip…what more could you want? There’s also a new romantic show on Starz called Luminaries, set in 19th-century New Zealand, that has my eyes bugging out of their sockets like a thirsty cartoon character. Also, have you seen Bridgerton? Sanditon? A Discovery of Witches? Virgin River? What about Normal People? Romance on television is really having a moment—there has never been a better time to indulge.

For those of us who don’t have Starz and binge each season of Outlander when it drops on Netflix, fingers crossed that season 5 will be on the streaming service soon. (Season 4, like, just arrived.)

But if you simply cannot wait for more Outlander storylines, you could always read ahead in the series. Each season of the show has covered one book in the eight-book series, which means season 6 will be about the sixth book. If you want to read ahead for all the spoilers, you will not regret it.

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