Why and how Outlander is ending with season 8 when the Diana Gabaldon books haven’t finished yet

by

When it was announced that Outlander would finish after its eighth season, many fans were saddened to hear the news and mourned the end of the show.

Saying goodbye to a favorite show is always hard, and unfortunately, season eight will be the final season of Outlander.

During a set visit, when reporters from TopMob and other outlets asked why Outlander would end after season eight, showrunner Matthew B. Roberts and executive producer Maril Davis surprisingly agreed: they didn’t think it was a good idea.

You know, as a big fan, I’ve been thinking about where things stand with the show, and from what I gather, we were definitely on track to keep going. At least, I would have been happy to! But I can’t speak for everyone, of course. Caitríona and Sam have put in over a decade with this, and honestly, after that long, I totally get wanting to explore other projects and try new things. It’s natural to want to spread your wings after that much time dedicated to one role.

I’d really like to complete the series of books inspired by Diana. We haven’t released book ten yet, so there’s a possibility I could return, depending on how we wrap up season eight.

The creators of the Outlander TV series have always collaborated with Diana Gabaldon, the author of the original books. With her tenth Outlander novel still unpublished, how do they make sure the show stays true to the story’s future direction?

We’ve had several conversations with her about it. However, her plans and our plans will be distinct – much like the show and the books are separate entities. While they share a common foundation, she’ll be pursuing her own vision, and we’ll be following our own. She is aware of what we’re doing, though.

Davis explained they’re being careful and respectful while finishing the TV show, especially since the author still plans to continue the story in a book. It’s challenging because they don’t know how the author intends to develop the characters, so they need to find a way to end the show in a way that’s satisfying for viewers without interfering with the author’s plans.

Davis then joked: “Maybe she’ll steal something from us!”

Is it possible that the show and book could end at the same time in the future?

I heard Davis say he wouldn’t completely rule anything out for the future. He admitted things change, and you never know what opportunities might come up in a few years. He seemed to suggest he’d be open to something if the situation felt right, and if there was genuine interest from others. Basically, he’s keeping his options open!

Since the book series isn’t finished, many fans are eager to see how both it and the TV show will end. With the TV show complete but the final book still unreleased—its publication date is still unknown—it’s challenging to create a satisfying conclusion when the actual ending hasn’t been written yet.

When asked about whether the show would follow the books exactly, Roberts explained that the TV series and the books are related but distinct. He used the analogy of a parent and child, saying the books laid the foundation, but the show will have its own unique story and lifespan.

That’s us – we’re the TV show, and we do have a planned finale. It’s sad for both our viewers and for Maril, but we’re coming to an end.

Davis went on to say that revisiting popular shows like Seinfeld and The Sopranos highlights how much pressure there is to create a satisfying ending. Some shows nail it, others don’t, and that often divides audiences. For example, people either loved or hated the ending of The Sopranos, and the same was true for Game of Thrones.

You hope all your hard work over the years doesn’t hinge on a single episode, but often that’s the one people recall most—and it’s your final impression.

Want to see this content?

This page uses a security feature called Google reCAPTCHA. We want to be transparent about its use, so we’re asking for your permission before it loads. reCAPTCHA may use cookies to help with security. By selecting ‘Accept and continue,’ you’ll allow reCAPTCHA to work and serve its intended purpose.

The eighth season of Outlander will premiere on MGM+ in the UK on Saturday, March 7, 2026, and on Starz in the US the day before, on Friday, March 6. If you’re interested in the books the show is based on, you can find them for sale on Amazon.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature.

  • Visit us on Twitter

Read More

2026-03-05 20:36