Outlander season 6: how to watch, cast, plot, and everything we know

Outlander season 6 is heading our way in 2022, although it's been shortened to eight episodes so there'll be less instalments this time.

In a press release, showrunner Matthew B Roberts said: "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."

Here's everything we know about Outlander season 6 so far...

How to watch Outlander season 6

Outlander season 6 premiered on Starz platforms on Sunday, March 6, and then wrapped up its eight episode season on May 1. For anyone who missed the show lives, they are available to watch on-demand via Starz and the Starzplay service. 

You must be a subscriber to Starz in order to watch the latest or past episodes of Outlander. Starz is included in some cable subscription packages, but it is also available as a standalone service.

Outlander season 6 premiere quotes

Outlander held its season 6 premiere in London on Thursday, Feb. 24, and here are some of the best quotes from the red carpet:

Should we be worried about Fergus?

César Domboy, who plays Fergus, responded to interviewer Edith Bowman's admission she is worried for Fergus by saying that she probably should. Without getting into spoilers (all actors lips were sealed pretty tight), Domboy shared his enjoyment in depicting Fergus' journey:

"As an actor though, it was nice to have to play those things. Those things I was looking forward to getting into … Funny enough, I knew back in the day, years ago, that’s where the character would go. So it was even more fun for me to start it from such a joyful place, so enthusiastic, like a little boy - to take him to such a dark environment this time."

Prince Charles Edward Stuart's even more ridiculous costume

Outlander fans are likely to recall the costume wore by Andrew Gower as Prince Charles Edward Stuart that the actor describes as "the human shortbread costume." Well, his fashion choices may not have improved. Gower said on the red carpet that he will don another "ridiculous" costume this season. " I didn’t think was possible. I thought the human shortbread outfit was like going to be the top of the outfits, but this is like … everybody’s in for a treat."

He also teased that a famous Scottish historical event will be depicted this season that everyone will be sure to know.

Sam Heugh was on familiar ground

It was a blast from the past for Sam Heugh to return to the Royal Festival Hall where the premiere was being held, as he revealed that he used to work there at the bar and still knew his way around pretty well. He also joked about some of the new characters for season 6, the Christies, as Alexander Vlhaos popped up behind him and he joked that he said he always has to "watch out for the Christies."

Richard Rankin was on the edge of revealing a spoiler

Richard Rankin, who plays Roger Wakefield on the show, touched upon what his character will be going through in season 6 and found it very difficult to not dive into spoilers:

"He [Roger]has to grapple with the reality of history with how its been told through the ages, which is a really interesting concept because history can only be told by the writer’s of that history. So obviously that’s only going to be one side of it. So that comes up again in terms of him struggling with what’s real and what’s not. And I’m so close, I can’t say anything more … I can’t elaborate on that cause I’ll be fired."

Is Allan Christie misunderstood?

Many Outlander fans are looking for the arrival of the Christies to stir up some trouble this season, but Alexander Vlhaos, who is playing Allan Christie, says his character is misunderstood:

"The Christies arrive and immediately in episode 1 cause chaos, chaos and it just continues through like a small ripple effect. But I think Allan is misunderstood, it’s what I say about all my characters really … I always try to find … the grey area between parts because it makes them more interesting. For Allan, it is love for his family that sort of trickles over throughout the rest of the show. Chaos ensues." 

Sophie Skelton no longer reads the Outlander books

Sophie Skelton, better known to fans as Brianna, says when she first got the role she caught up with the first set of books where Brianna appears to get a sense of the character, but has since stopped.

"Once we got to the point where each season was a book I kind of stopped reading ahead because it actually gets a lot. We get so many drafts of each script, we film out of sequence and then you throw in the books and everything else you forget what happened in which medium and you can just mess yourself up."

Diana Gabaldon was inspired to write Outlander after seeing an old Doctor Who episode

Outlander author Diana Gabaldon said that when she was looking for a historical period to write the book that would become Outlander, she got some inspiration from a classic time traveler.

"So I was looking for a good historical period to set this book and I happened to see a really old Doctor Who re-run with the second Doctor, Patrick Throughtonand he had picked up a young companion from Scotland named Jamie McCrimmon as a young lad who appeared in his kilt and I said oh that’s kind of fetching. Anyway, I found myself still thinking about this the next day in church and I said you want to write a book the most important thing is to get started, why not - Scotland, 18th century.” 

What is the plot of Outlander season 6?

It has been revealed that the season will be loosely based on the novel A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, which is the sixth book in the series. There may be some diversions from the source, but it's likely to follow the key events of the story.

The synopsis for the novel is as follows: "It’s 1772, the Royal Colony of North Carolina, and the governor calls upon Jamie Fraser to unite the backcountry and preserve the colony for King and Crown. One minor problem: Jamie Fraser’s wife, Claire, is a time-traveller, as are his daughter and son-in-law. And Jamie knows that three years hence, the shot heard round the world will be fired, and the end of it all will be independence — with those loyal to the King either dead or in exile."

It adds: "Beyond present danger, though, looms the threat of a tiny clipping from the Wilmington Gazette, dated 1776, which reports the destruction of the house on Fraser’s Ridge and the death by fire of James Fraser and all his family. For once, Jamie Fraser hopes the time-travellers in his family are wrong about the future. But only time will tell."

Who's in the cast?

So far, we'll expect to see the usual cast members like Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall Fraser, Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser, Richard Rankin as Roger Wakefield and Sophie Skelton as Brianna Randall.

There will also be some new arrivals, as confirmed by the official Twitter account. Mark Lewis Jones, Alexander Vlahos, and Jessica Reynolds will be joining the cast as The Christies. 

It's not known if fan favourite Lord John Grey (David Berry) will return for season 6 as he does not appear in the sixth book, but we'll have to wait and see!

Is there a trailer?

Yes, a trailer for Outlander season 6 is here! It shows Claire and Jamie’s fight to protect those they love, as they navigate the trials and tribulations of life in colonial America, and there's plenty of emotions along the way. 

• Is Outlander on Netflix?