Today, June 1, is World Outlander Day! Celebrating everything Outlander, it’s a day to go ring doorbells and stand on streetcorners preaching…. oops, sorry, I got overenthusiastic. But the nice thing is that Starz dropped a whole bunch of fun stuff on us to celebrate – a trailer for Season 7B, the date it will start, and additional casting for Season 8!

Season 7B

First, 7B will start November 22! This will have Outlander continuing to air on Fridays, and should (if there are no holiday breaks) run through January 10. Here’s the new teaser!

What do we already know? The Frasers are into the thick of the Revolutionary War, looking at even more intense fighting coming. They have just arrived in Scotland to bring the body of Jamie’s cousin Simon Fraser, and once again see family – Jenny and Ian. In the future, Jemmy has gone missing, presumably taken to the past by Rob Cameron, so Roger and Buck have stepped  through the stones to get him back (got that straight?). I’m trying not to spoil anything for non-book readers, but there’s very little in the trailer that might hint at what’s coming  – except, why is John Grey wearing an eyepatch? Who is Ian building a cairn for? And where is Brianna, with wee Mandy in the back seat, heading to? IYKYK!

From Starz:

Coming off of the first half of “Outlander” season seven, viewers find Claire (Caitríona Balfe), Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Young Ian (John Bell) leaving the colonies and arriving in their beloved homeland: Scotland. The perils of the Revolutionary War force them to choose between standing by those they love and fighting for the land they have made their new home. Meanwhile, Roger (Richard Rankin) and Brianna (Sophie Skelton) face new enemies across time, and must battle the forces that threaten to pull their family apart. As loyalties change and painful secrets come to light, Jamie and Claire’s marriage is tested like never before. With their love binding them over oceans and centuries, can the MacKenzies and Frasers find their way back to each other?

Season 8

For the final, 10 episode season of Outlander, Starz has announced the casting of three more characters – Captain Charles Cunningham (to be played by Kieran Bew) and his mother Elspeth (Frances Tomelty), and Amaranthus Grey (Carla Woodcock). The Cunninghams are residents of the Ridge who appear in book 9, and according to claireandjamie.com, “We know that the Cunninghams are suspicious. Well, maybe not Mrs. Cunningham. Captain Cunningham is up to something, though, and Jamie doesn’t know which side of the Revolutionary War he’s on. Roger realizes that he is connected in some way, though.”

Amaranthus Cowden Grey is a bit of a mystery woman, claiming to be married to William’s cousin Ben, who is Lord Harold Grey’s son. Ben is missing, John and Hal find her. There is some doubt as to her identity and intentions. ClaireandJamie.com, speculating whether she will be included in season 8, says “At first, we just meet this woman who claims to be the wife of Benjamin Grey, a man presumed to be dead. It’s only later that we find out that Ben is a turncoat. The two of them developed a plan that would fake Ben’s death and Amaranthus would end up finding the Grey family.”

Carla Woodcock, “Amaranthus Grey”
Photographer Credit: Michael Shelford. Photo courtesy Starz.

Kieren Bew is perhaps best known for Beowulf in which he played the title role alongside Joanne Whalley and William Hurt, as well as Bill O’Hara in ​Warrior season 1- 3. Next up, we will see him as a new regular in House of the Dragon season two. Also widely recognised as Da Vinci’s Demons regular Duke Alfonso, he has worked extensively in British TV and film, including alongside Matt Smith in the BAFTA winning The Street. Other recent TV credits include: Rules of the Game with Maxine Peake, Liar with Joanne Froggatt, Rellik, created by Harry and Jack Williams, and Cold Feet. He also appeared in the box office smash Alien vs. Predator and Lexi Alexander’s independent drama Green Street. Further television credits include Dr Who, Brush with Fate, Hans Christian Andersen, and Spooks.

Frances Tomelty’s career spans six decades. Irish born, her London stage appearances include leading roles with both the Royal National and the Royal Shakespeare Company where Mrs Darling, opposite Mark Rylance, was a favorite; as was The Normal Heart at The Royal Court with Martin Sheen. Her many television appearances include Spooks, Unforgotten, The White Queen, Call the Midwife, Trial and Retribution, Warrior Nun, The Nevers, Apple Tree Yard, Catastrophe, and most recently Woman in the Wall with Ruth Wilson.

Carla Woodcock is a British actor, with leading credits across TV and film. Most recently, Woodcock starred in the BAFTA nominated series, Such Brave Girls, created by Kat Sadler and directed by Simon Bird.  She starred as Zia in Tell Me Everything and took on a leading role in The History Of A Pleasure Seeker.  Other TV credits include Ackley Bridge, Flowers in the Attic, and Free Rein. On the big screen Woodcock worked alongside Phoebe Dynevor in The Colour Room, directed by Claire McCarthy. Next up for Woodcock is the very highly anticipated adaptation of Holly Jackson’s fan-favorite book series, A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder.

What are you excited to see in 7B or in Season 8? Leave a comment below!

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