Outlander season 5 renewal hopes and a matter of timing

Outlander October 16, 2017

Will an Outlander season 5 renewal happen on Starz? At this point, that feels almost like a formality when you think about the numbers. As reported recently the live+same-day numbers for season 3 are far and away up versus season 2, and that’s before the arrival of the Print Shop scene. We still believe that the hiatus will have little to no impact on the ratings the rest of the season, mostly because this show is quality. When you’ve got a good show people to tend to watch it — it’s really as simple as that.

We’re operating through the rest of this article with the assumption that there’ll be an Outlander season 5 renewal — but when? It could be sooner than some would assume, mostly because season 5 would need to start filming at around the time season 4 airs if Starz really wants to keep airing a new season every fall.

The fourth season of Outlander was ordered alongside the third season back on June 1, 2016. That was in between the eighth and ninth episode of the second season. (Remember when some of us were worried about the show getting a third-season renewal way back when? We are glad that we’re at a point now where we are not anywhere near as concerned about the show’s future.)

Now, let’s chart out a possible season 5 renewal were it to happen at the same time in this season. The eighth episode of season 3 is going to be coming on the air on November 5, so we would say that at some point after that we could see the renewal happen. The beauty when it comes to an announcement around here is twofold.

1. It’s before Thanksgiving and it therefore would allow us a chance to say that we’re more than thankful regarding an Outlander renewal! Who doesn’t love that?

2. The timing is great for the executive producers since it allows them to pick up immediately at the end of season 4 next year and be able to pick up work on what could next. They will probably do plenty of planning for season 5 even before season 4 wraps filming, just because there are locations to be scouted and studying that needs to be done of the Diana Gabaldon source material. It’s possible that these same EPs may even start thinking about season 5 ideas before Starz makes a renewal official, just because it is so assured. This is of course provided that everyone involved wants to keep going (and they seem to).

Once something more on this subject is official, we’re of course going to have that news for you here. It’s possible that Starz could wait into 2018 to confirm the renewal without disrupting the timeline, but from our vantage point the earlier the renewal, the better the press it is for the show itself.

When do you think than an Outlander season 5 renewal will be coming?

Share some of your thoughts right now in the comments! If you missed it, we’ve got some other highlights featuring Caitriona Balfe and more from this weekend over at the link here.

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10 Comments

TJ
October 17, 2017 @ 2:16 am

I would like to see a renewal of Outlander for S5 & S6 like they did for S3 & S4 with both seasons renewed at the same time! The fan base, ratings and world wide love of this series and the books will definately carry 2 more seasons of Outlander! These books are incredible! The story just keeps on getting bigger and bigger! Then, consider that DG is writing another book now, Book 9, and that will create more interest in the series too! My favorite author, novels which brought us a new series that I fell in love with too…we need it to be renewed again for 2 more seasons again! Blessings for S5 & S6!!! It will be up to us, the fans, to show STARZ that we want another 2 seasons of Outlander! Write to STARZ and let them know!!! Blessings all!
TJ
October 17, 2017 @ 2:10 am

I would like to see the renewal for S5 & S6 at the same time just as they did for S3 & S4!!! The fan base, ratings and following of world wide fans would support 2 more seasons of Outlander! Plus, DG is writing Book 9! We don’t know when that would be coming out either! That will add to the desire for 2 more seasons by our very rabid fan base! It will be up to us, the fans, to keep the ratings hi and up there AFTER Print Shop episode to get S5 & S6!!! Me, even though I watch it early with STARZ at midnight, I then watch it again at the regular viewing time so that it shows on the ratings! I want this show to keep on going!!
Nan
October 16, 2017 @ 5:30 pm

Wouldn’t it depend on whether they are able to get the option on Diana’s books? The current deal was only for the first four books.I know she loves the series adaptation but won’t it depend on whether they can ante up?
- Sherri Smith-Bush
  October 16, 2017 @ 11:00 pm
  
  Sam & Cait have contracts for 7 years so I would think that Starz already has the rights to other books
Susan Stein
October 16, 2017 @ 4:32 pm

It’s hard to remember what happens in what book. It tends to blend together. I know their filming in Scotland, but I’m hoping they might film some of the Philadelphia scenes in Philadelphia I don’t know if you can film in Valley Forge, but that’s nearby too.
Progressive_Pagan
October 16, 2017 @ 4:27 pm

It wouldn’t surprise me if they gave Tall Ships the greenlight for Season 5 in November, but didn’t announce it until after Emmy Nomination season in 2018. Naturally, I’d rather they told us sooner that that…
annegav
October 16, 2017 @ 4:17 pm

I take RDM at his word that he wants to maintain a Fall premiere going forward. So, yes, they need to begin prep sooner rather than later for a Season 5 in terms of location scouting — especially — and script breaking. I expect that the Powers-That-Be at Tall Ships and Starz know what the decision will be — as they have known in advance of public announcements before this. They are very good secret keepers, the lot of them! I agree that sometime after the half way point of Season 3, the public announcement for a Season 5 renewal will take place — so before the end of calendar year 2017.
- Anita
  October 16, 2017 @ 10:18 pm
  
  Go for season 5 and 6. You cant stop now. Read all the books and the serie is spot on the books with some differences. I think I speak for all swedish viewers. Regards Anita
Lone Star
October 16, 2017 @ 7:06 am

Maybe seasons 5 & 6 will be announced when the highest numbers EVER come in after Ep 306 airs. Hope so, anyway!
Erin Adams Conrad
October 16, 2017 @ 2:05 am

This show has a much longer prep time than I would assume 90% of other shows have. And with future seasons set in colonial America, but being shot in Scotland (as Ron Moore has said, no filming will be done in the US), it’s going to take an awful lot of work to make Scottish locations look like pre-Rev War America. Good thing is that some of the outdoor locations should do. But the sooner the better, especially if they want to keep to the fall start time for the series. Another 16-18 month droughtlander would be a terrible thing for the fans.