Outlander was 20 years in the making, thanks to the books initially being turned down and various “hoop-jumping” exercises.
Outlander may be among the biggest dramas today but it could have arrived a lot sooner, if it wasn’t for a lot of red tape.
Starz has been the home of the time travelling series since 2014, exploring the Romeo-Juliet-style relationship of Second World War nurse Claire Randall (played by Caitriona Balfe) and highlander Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan).
As fans know all too well, the romantic drama is based on the book series by Diana Gabaldon who has now written nine novels as part of the franchise.
While her novels are a massive success and the television adaptation now an award-winning and internationally popular show, the journey to get to this point was a lot slower than what some might expect.
In fact, according to executive producer Matthew B Roberts, it took around two decades for Outlander to really get going.
Speaking on the official Outlander podcast, Roberts explained: “When I first read the books, way, way, way back, I was a reader and the production company wanted to make some movies and they handed me a couple of the books that were out at the time.
“In reading them, ‘My God, this is going to be fantastic, not as an hour and 45 minute movie’ so oddly enough, I passed on the books.
“Well this company wanted to do these books, wanted to make TV movies out of them, not features, TV movies, and so… my recommendation was passed with the caveat ‘these would make an excellent TV series if you ever want to go down that road’.”
Roberts continued: “And flash forward, Maryl Davis, executive producer on the show, their offices were across the hall from my office and I heard her talking.
“She said she wanted to find an epic book series and I had them on my shelf and said ‘Here you go, make that into a TV series’.
“And here we are about 20 years later, because that didn’t happen immediately, it took a while.
“Once she read the books, it was trying to get the rights and all the hoops you have to jump through to get something made. That’s that story.”
The seventh outing is based on the end of book six, seven and eight, entitled A Breath of Snow and Ashes, An Echo in the Bone and Written In My Own Heart’s Blood, respectively.
Outlander was last seen earlier this year but won’t be returning for part two until early 2024.
There will be just one more series after this sadly, as it has already been confirmed Jamie and Claire’s story is going to be brought to a close in its eighth and final series.
