“Outlander” has officially entered its final chapter as the time-travel drama begins airing its eighth and final season.
As anticipation builds around how the story will end, star Sam Heughan revealed that even the cast does not know the outcome.
During an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Heughan explained that the production filmed multiple endings for the final season.
“I actually don’t know the ending,” Heughan said. “We shot multiple endings. I was there, but I don’t know how it ends. I’ll be watching with you all.”
Sam Heughan Says Multiple Endings Were Filmed For the End of ‘Outlander’
Heughan previously discussed the unusual filming process while visiting journalists on set in Scotland during production.
According to Heughan, the creative team intentionally filmed several different endings to protect the finale from leaks.
“We’re going to shoot various endings. I don’t know which one they’ll use,” Heughan said.
The strategy helped keep the outcome hidden from both fans and the cast while filming the final season.
Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe Say the Ending Was Kept Secret
Caitriona Balfe, who plays Claire Fraser, said the secrecy surrounding season 8 was different from the show’s usual production process.
“Our showrunner Matt Roberts is keeping everything so close to his chest,” Balfe said. “I’m worried about what we’re going to be doing.”
Balfe explained that the cast typically receives a clear outline of the season before filming begins.
“I am such control freak. I like to know, and we don’t know, and it’s driving me crazy,” Balfe said. “We’re literally going block by block, and we’ve never worked this way before. We’ve always had an overview of the season, and at least episode breakdowns, and we’ve had nothing this time. So it’s really crazy.”
The secrecy helped limit the risk of spoilers leaking ahead of the final episodes.
‘Outlander’ Season 8 Was Written Before the Final Book
Season 8 draws inspiration from Diana Gabaldon’s ninth novel in the series, “Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone.”
However, Gabaldon’s planned tenth and final book, titled “A Blessing for a Warrior Going Out,” has not yet been published.
Because the books are not finished, the television production team needed to create its own ending for the series.
Executive producer Matthew B. Roberts explained that the goal was to keep the tone of the final season consistent with the rest of the show.
“What we want is a really authentic season of ‘Outlander,’” Roberts told Entertainment Weekly. “We weren’t going to try to make every episode a very special episode of ‘Outlander.’ I wanted this to fit fully into the series, and I think we successfully have done that.”
Executive producer Maril Davis also acknowledged the challenge of ending the show before the book series concludes.
“It’s tough to end the TV series before the book series concludes,” Davis told EW. “I think no matter what ending we have, it’s going to be bittersweet.”
“Outlander” season 8 premieres March 6 on Starz.
After that, new episodes will be released every Friday until the season — and series — finale on May 8.
