Why an Outlander season 5 renewal needs to happen early; other odds & ends
We know that the enthusiasm is out there for an Outlander season 5 renewal — heck, we’ve heard some people even clamoring for a season 6! (We’d be shocked here at CarterMatt to see that one come about so early, but anything’s possible in theory.) The season 5 renewal is going to happen — we don’t have any doubt of that — the larger question just has to do with figuring out the right timing for it.
Why does it need to be so early? We think that (indirectly) there is a good answer to this question via executive producer Toni Graphia, who noted on the Outlander writers’ recent Q&A with fans that a very big chunk of season 4 is already written — even though the show’s only about a month into production at the moment!
In order for the show to be successful, the writers need to be several months ahead of where the show is in production. This is why the writers room for season 4 opened up in the summer. When you think about that start date, and also the fact that Outlander is an adaptation and you need to give the writers months in advance to comb through the source material. There should really be a season 5 renewal by the spring if you don’t want anything to slow down and so the show can premiere in the fall. (There’s also location scouting and other parts of pre-production that need to be done in the summer so that filming can get underway.)
The process of bringing a season of Outlander to life takes almost a year and a half, which is much longer than other shows out there. So, if you’ve been wondering why we’ve been clamoring for a renewal by early next year, now you’ve got a little more insight on that!
Other Outlander news
For those wondering as to why the Jamie-flogging-Young Ian scene was not included on the show after being in the books, Graphia has a pretty reasonable answer for that. The focus for the show was to demonstrate Claire having an influence on Jamie — also, we feel like Young Ian got the point already.
While we understand why book purists may be upset over the omission, personally we rather liked it the way that it was. We’re not sure watching Jamie flog Young Ian really would’ve done anything for us as a viewer — there’s been plenty of other intense scenes on the show as-is.
Do you want more news when it comes to Outlander?
Then all you have to do is head over to the link here to get some other odds and ends from last night, this time related to the cast!
Meanwhile, like us on Facebook in the event you do want to stay up to date with all of our Outlander coverage. (Photo: Starz.)
Beth Lamberth
November 10, 2017 @ 1:38 pm
It’s funny that Toni said the reason for the no-strap decision was because of “Claire’s influence” on Jamie when Matt Roberts said it had to do with the original scripted plan for Murtaugh to be beaten/flogged at Ardsmuir for hiding the tartan cloth (like in the book, but of course it wasn’t Murtagh and Jamie took the blame and the beating instead) and they decided that two floggings was too much.
Ráichéal
November 10, 2017 @ 5:26 am
Yes and 6-10 and a spin-off Misadventures of lord John Grey as well! lol
Becky
November 12, 2017 @ 10:56 pm
Yes!!!
Misadventures of Lord John Grey! Really hope they are considering this!
Moira Chandler
November 9, 2017 @ 6:36 pm
Just one question: are Sam and Catriona prepared to commit their careers to another two or three seasons?
One of the joys of the films is the chemistry between these two actors and I personally would prefer not to watch if other actors take their parts. I’m not denigrating other actors but as fans we have a lot invested in ‘our’ Jamie and Claire. It would be difficult to say goodbye.
Arlene
November 10, 2017 @ 12:49 pm
Since there are 8 books presently, and the show is such a huge success, there should be a commitment to continue by all. This production and the stars are an Internationally famous
Beth Lamberth
November 10, 2017 @ 1:33 pm
Pretty sure I’ve heard them in interviews say the two stars signed 7 year contracts so they are locked in (short of a very expensive legal mess) for as long as the show gets renewed (at least thru 7).
Cee Valley
November 10, 2017 @ 9:25 pm
They did sign 7 year contracts…in 2013. That should take them through season 6, should it be renewed.
Caroline Venezia
November 9, 2017 @ 5:30 pm
I though the spanking scene in the book was funny and endearing. Sorry you cut it out. Yes, keep going with approvals for 5 and 6. I’d love to see this show go on for 10 years or more!
Lisa
November 10, 2017 @ 2:27 am
They could have set it up and not shown the actual spanking.
Bronwin Armgard
November 9, 2017 @ 1:18 am
Jamie didn’t flog young Ian. He basically gave him a spanking. And Ian gave him one back. They both had to suffer the consequences of their actions and that’s why it was needed in the show.
As for too early for a season 6 announcement. Not really, they announced seasons 3 and 4 at the same time. No reason they can’t do the same thing for 5 and 6.
Becky
November 9, 2017 @ 10:59 am
I wonder the same.. why not to renew for the seasons 5 & 6?!
They did it last year (the show was doing 40% less viewers than this season) and it seem to work very well for the reasons explained in this article.
Is that a lot to ask? ?