According to the writers, showrunners, cast and crew, season 7 of Outlander is going to be one of the biggest and most exciting yet - and fans are already getting hyped up.
The hit historical fantasy show has just finished its sixth season – which was shortened by the outbreak of the pandemic – and people aren't quite ready for another long Droughtlander after an extended one last time around.
So when can we expect the much-anticipated arrival of season 7? Have the cast and crew already begun filming and what can we expect in terms of the plot? Here is everything you need to know.
When will season 7 debut?
The cast has been spotted filming in areas across Scotland, with scenes even being slated to be shot at Midhope Castle with several weeks of shoots expected.
The site, which doubles as the exterior for Lallybroch, home of the Frasers in Scotland, will be closed to visitors while filming takes place.
Both Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe have been spotted filming in Fife on a ship at Burntisland Harbour as well as other locations nearby.
When Outlander fan site outlandertvnews.com asked executive producer Maril Davis at New York Comic Con in October 2021 how long she thought they would be filming season seven, she answered a year.
With filming beginning earlier this year, it's likely we won't see season 7 until the start of next year at the earliest.
With no date yet confirmed for this year, that looks increasingly likely.
How many episodes will we have?
Due to season six being shortened to only 8 episodes, season 7 with have no less than double that with a 16 episode run similar to that of the first season and 3 or 4 more than we get in normal seasons of the show.
What can we expect in terms of the cast?
With the main cast set to return, it's likely that we will see the likes of Alexander Vlahos (Allan Christie), Mark Lewis Jones (Tom Christie) and Chris Larkin (Richard Brown) as we get to the end of the Christie family saga.
While Paul Gorman (Josiah and Keziah Beardsley) will surely be back in their storyline with Lizzie and of course, the enigmatic Brennan Martin as Wendigo Donner – if it is indeed him – certainly still has a part to play.
Actor Dave Berry has also hinted he may return to fix things between Lord John Gray and Sam Heughan's Jamie and fans have long speculated that Graham McTavish could reprise the role of Buck MacKenzie.
What will happen in season 7?
Speaking to TV Guide about next season, Maril said: "Season 7 is just a huge season. Huge. I say that every season, but this season truly is the biggest.
"I mean, we've talked about the revolution coming, like winter is coming. We're finally going to see it.
"It's just a wild ride, and I'm just looking forward to putting our characters in more turmoil and craziness.
"No one's going to be getting a rest, let's put it that way."
We know the Revolutionary War will really be ramped up and as mentioned already we have the Christie plotline to wrap up with Jamie and Young Ian en route to try and rescue Claire.
Elsewhere, there are hints (spoilers here) that the main cast will return to Scotland, while time travel will also feature heavily (hurray!).
What do you think will happen? Let us know below.
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