Outlander fans were delighted to receive an early Christmas present today when Sam Heughan confirmed that it will be returning to screens in the new year.
After season five, fans had the longest 'Droughtlander' yet due to the coronavirus pandemic and had to wait two years for season six but it seems that the wait for season seven is nowhere near as long.
Sam, who plays Jamie Fraser in the hit show, took to Instagram to share the news, with a picture of him and his on-screen wife Caitriona Balfe in character with the words 'Outlander new season coming in 2023'.
Alongside the picture, he wrote: "Lots to look forward to in the new year! Happy Holidays all! @outlander_starz."
And fans were absolutely buzzing about it. One wrote: "excited for all of it."
While one penned: "merry christmas to me!"
Another said: "YES! Thank goodness we don’t have to wait another year !!!!!!"
While one commented: "So wonderful news thank you dear Sam can’t wait for it. Slainte with greetings, merry Christmas."
Back in October, the official Outlander social media site revealed that some old cast members will be returning for the new season as well as some new faces.
Returning faces are Nell Hudson, who plays Laoghaire Fraser, Graham McTavish who plays Dougal MacKenzie, Steven Cree as Ian Murray, Layla Burns as Joan McKimmie and Lotte Verbeek as Geillis Duncan.
And new faces are Andrew Whipp as Brian Fraser, Chris Fulton as Rob Cameron, Diarmaid Murtagh as Buck MacKenzie, Gloria Obianyo as Mercy Woodcock, Rod Hallet as Benedict Arnold and Kristin Atherton as Jenny Murray.
Posting on Instagram, the official account wrote: " Look at all those shining faces! Meet the cast joining us for#OutlanderSeason 7."
Fas went wild at the news and many began suspecting that season seven may include some flashbacks to the past as characters who *spoiler alert* had died earlier on in the show such as Geillis and Dougal were featured.
And as for new faces, in earlier seasons, Jamie Fraser's sister Jenny Murray was played by Laura Donnelly but now actress Kristin Atherton will be taking over the role. Fans were delighted: One wrote: " WAIT GEILLIS AND DOUGAL?? OH MY GOSH."
Another said: "Oooh I love seeing some returning faces and a warm welcome to the new ones!" While another speculated: "so flashbacks i guess?" And another wrote: " I’m dying to know what happens now oh my goodness.
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