The end of an era is officially here for the time-traveling romance that has captured hearts around the world for over a decade. With the eighth and final season of Outlander set to premiere on March 6, 2026, on Starz, the cast is opening up about their most cherished memories from set, the emotional goodbyes, and what playing these iconic characters for 11 years has meant to them.
Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan, who play the beloved Claire and Jamie Fraser, recently sat down for interviews reflecting on their journey. While discussing the final season, they shared personal thoughts about weddings—both on-screen and in real life—and revealed the deeply personal advice that shaped their understanding of marriage.
The Wedding Wisdom That Stuck With Caitríona Balfe
During a roundtable interview for the show, Balfe shared a piece of advice she received about weddings that resonated with her both personally and professionally. When asked what Claire would tell a young woman about prioritizing marriage over the wedding itself, Balfe had a thoughtful response.
“First of all, I think modern weddings have gone absolutely crazy,” Balfe said with a laugh. “It shouldn’t cost a house to have a wedding.”
She then shared the meaningful advice someone gave her: “Don’t make your wedding about your past, make it about your future. I thought that was such a lovely thing.”
Heughan, sitting beside her during the interview, couldn’t resist teasing his co-star. “That’s so Outlander,” he joked, prompting Balfe to playfully react before agreeing that the sentiment perfectly captures the essence of Jamie and Claire’s enduring love story.
Balfe elaborated on what a wedding should truly represent: “It should be a party, and it’s the beginning of the next stage in your life. It’s not the most important thing, the party. It’s not the whole thing.”
Revisiting the Wedding That Started It All
Fans will never forget the iconic wedding episode from season one, where Jamie and Claire married under duress but found a love that would span centuries. Looking back at that pivotal moment, both actors acknowledged how far their characters have come since that day.
The wedding scene, filmed over several days in 2014, remains one of the most beloved moments in the series. It was a “very beautiful wedding” despite the circumstances, and it laid the foundation for a relationship that has weathered war, separation, time travel, and countless hardships.
In a 2015 interview, both actors recalled filming the intimate scenes with humor and honesty. When asked if they needed liquid courage before filming the wedding night, Balfe admitted there “may have been some flask involved,” with Heughan adding that the prop was kept nearby during breaks.
Saying Goodbye After 11 Years
As the final season approaches, the emotions are running high for the entire cast and crew. Balfe described her last day on set as profoundly moving.
“That it was Sam and I, sharing a loving Claire and Jamie moment where they reflected on their lives together, was so fitting,” Balfe told reporters. “I was so grateful to be there with Sam, my steadfast partner throughout this whole series.”
Heughan echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the difficulty of separating from a character he has played for more than a decade. “It’s hard to separate ourselves from the characters in some ways,” he explained. “We are going through that process now, and you start to realize you’re saying goodbye to those characters you’ve lived with for so long.”
What the Final Season Holds
Season 8 of Outlander picks up with Jamie and Claire returning to Fraser’s Ridge, which has grown into a thriving settlement during their absence. But peace is short-lived as the war follows them home. The official logline reveals a devastating prophecy in the form of Frank Randall’s book, which predicts Jamie’s death in an upcoming battle.
“He said I die,” Jamie tells Claire in the trailer, setting up an emotional conflict as Claire refuses to accept fate or return to her own time through the stones.
The final season consists of 10 episodes, with new installments dropping weekly on Fridays. For viewers in the UK and Australia, the season will be available on March 7, 2026, through local broadcasters and streaming platforms.
Returning Faces and New Additions
The farewell season brings back the core cast including Sophie Skelton as Brianna MacKenzie, Richard Rankin as Roger MacKenzie, John Bell as Young Ian Murray, and David Berry as Lord John Grey. Charles Vandervaart returns as William Ransom, Jamie’s son, while Izzy Meikle-Small is back as Rachel Murray.
New faces joining the final chapter include Kieran Bew as Captain Charles Cunningham and Carla Woodcock as Amaranthus Grey, characters who will play significant roles in the Revolutionary War storyline.
The Legacy of Outlander
For the actors, saying goodbye to Outlander means leaving behind more than just characters. It means closing a chapter on relationships that have defined their careers and personal growth.
Balfe reflected on how playing Claire changed her: “When I think about who I was at the beginning of this series and who I am now, part of that change has to do with Claire. Claire has given me a lot of confidence and has even inspired me to use my voice.”
She added, “It’s definitely been the role of a lifetime.”
Heughan shared similar feelings about the bond formed with his co-star and the character who taught him so much. “He’s given me an incredible relationship, one I never thought I’d have,” he said of Jamie. “I certainly have gained confidence, and experience and grown with him.”
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How to Watch the Final Season
Outlander season 8 premieres on Friday, March 6, 2026, on Starz in the United States. The episodes will be available at midnight on the Starz app and streaming platform, with the linear broadcast airing later that evening.
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the final season arrives on March 7, 2026, through Lionsgate+ (via Prime Video channels) and will also be available on StarzPlay. Australian audiences can watch on BINGE starting March 7, while Canadian viewers can stream through W Network and StackTV. Indian audiences can access the series through Lionsgate Play, with episodes dropping weekly.
Each episode will be available weekly, giving fans time to savor every moment of Jamie and Claire’s final journey. The series finale is scheduled to air on May 8, 2026.
While this marks the end of the main series, the Outlander universe will continue with the prequel Outlander: Blood of My Blood, which has already been renewed for a second season. That series will explore the love story of Jamie’s parents, Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie.
As the final season approaches, fans are preparing for an emotional farewell to characters who have become like family. The advice Balfe shared about weddings—making it about the future, not the past—could just as easily apply to saying goodbye to a beloved series. While the end is bittersweet, the story of Jamie and Claire will live on in the hearts of viewers forever.
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Stay connected with VvipTimes for more exclusive coverage, cast interviews, and breaking news as the final season of Outlander approaches. We’ll be with you every step of the way as we say goodbye to Jamie and Claire.
