Outlander season 6 will finally drop in 2022 – but there’s going to be fewer episodes

Outlander fans will be feeling a mix of emotions after it was revealed a shorter season of the hit series will air in early 2022.

Season 6 is finally going to head to Starz next year following a lengthy filming delay, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the series will only air for eight episodes – including a 90-minute season premiere – after the decision to shorten the season.

Thankfully, there is still some good news because viewers to get to enjoy the lost hours in season seven.

Both season six and seven had originally been set to have 12 episodes like previous airings, however the sevenths season will have a whooping 16 episodes.

Revealing the changes on World Outlander Day, showrunner Matthew B. Robert said in a statement: ‘We are excited to get into the editing room to work on bringing the fans one step closer to reuniting with the family back on Fraser’s Ridge.

‘Filming in 2021 has presented an unprecedented set of challenges which led us to the decision to truncate the season in order to bring the fans the most vibrant and dynamic season as soon as possible. Dinna fash, we will then film an extended season seven with 16 episodes next year as life returns to normalcy.’

Christina Davis, President of Original Programming for Starz added: ‘We are committed to telling the story fully with gripping and bold storylines in the upcoming eight-episode season that introduces viewers to new characters including Tom, Allan and Malva Christie (Mark Lewis-Jones, Alexander Vlahos and Jessica Reynolds) who create tension on the Ridge.

‘We can’t wait for viewers to see the exciting sixth season that reflects the Starz #TakeTheLead initiative through unapologetic storytelling and powerful female characters.’

Ever since Outlander launched in 2014, viewers have been swept up in a world of romance and adventure, as former World War II nurse Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) finds herself transported back to mid-18th Century Scotland, where she meets Highland warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan).

The sixth season is based on the sixth book in the Outlander series, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, by Diana Gabaldon.

It sees a continuation of Claire and Jamie’s fight to protect those they love, as they navigate the trials and tribulations of life in colonial America.

Season 7 – which recently received an early renewal – will be based on the seventh of the eight books, titled An Echo in the Bone.

Outlander airs on Starz in the US, while seasons one to five are available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in the UK.

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