After only one episode has aired, Starz is already going ahead and renewing its newest drama, Outlander, for a second season, which will consist of at least 13 episodes. (For a comparison, season 1 will have 16 episodes.)
“The overwhelming support Outlander has received from the fans, viewers and critics made the decision for us to go ahead with the second book a very easy one,” Starz Chief Executive Officer Chris Albrecht said in a statement. “Diana Gabaldon has given us years of great drama. With an incredible artist such as Ronald D. Moore at the helm and a cast as spectacular as this, we look forward to continue this spell-binding journey with Claire, Jamie, Frank, Brianna, Roger and everybody over the centuries.”
Creator Ronald D. Moore added, “I’m thrilled at the prospect of doing another season of this show for Starz. This project has been a labor of love from the very beginning and it’s incredibly gratifying to see it succeed with viewers and critics alike.”
Outlander is based on author Diana Gabaldon’s eight-book series that has sold more than 20 million copies, about Claire Randall as she is transported back in time from 1945 to 1743 and forced to marry Jamie Fraser, despite being married to a man in the future. And as Albrecht mentioned above, season 2 will be based on the second book in the series, Dragonfly in Amber.
The series stars Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Tobias Menzies, Graham McTavish, Gary Lewis, Lotte Verbeek and Duncan Lacroix.
The premiere episode, which aired on August 9, drew in 720,000 viewers, and has since racked up 5 million total views. This was helped by the premiere being available to watch for free online ahead of its official launch. The network notes that the male and female viewership is pretty much split down the middle.
The first half of season 1 will conclude on September 27, with the second half airing in early 2015.
Outlander airs Saturdays at 9pm on Starz.
(Image courtesy of Starz)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
Jeff Dodge, a graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena.
