10 Book Stories That Outlander Season 8 Must Include

March 16, 2025, 11 a.m.

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10 Book Stories That Outlander Season 8 Must Include

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Trigger Warning: This article contains discussions of miscarriage and infant loss.

Warning! Spoilers for the Outlander books ahead!

Outlander season 8 is on the way, and though it may be significantly different from the books, a few canon stories must be included. Season 7 officially took the Starz TV show in a new direction compared to author Diana Gabaldon's story with the reveal that Faith Fraser might have lived following her stillbirth. This indicates that all bets are off for Outlander season 8, but that doesn't necessarily mean all book stories will be tossed out for the upcoming final season. There are several that could still work, and would be essential additions to the overall story.

Each season of Outlander has traditionally been based on one of Gabaldon's books, but things got a bit more complicated in season 7. The Starz series is coming to a close with season 8, so it became necessary for the show to wrap things up by mixing and matching details from the final few Outlander books. The upcoming 10 episodes are expected to be mainly based on Gabaldon's ninth book, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, though a great deal from this novel can (and should) be left out. But what should make it to the screen?

10 Brianna, Roger, & Their Children Return To The Past

Brianna Is Reunited With Her Parents In The Books

Brianna and Roger had quite an adventure in Written in My Own Heart's Blood (book 8), which largely translated to Outlander season 7. The finale saw the couple contemplating where they would go next, and Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone indicates that they will head through the stones to be reunited with Jamie and Claire at Fraser's Ridge in 1779.

This is sure to be a heartwarming reunion, and it's something that Outlander season 8 simply can't leave out. Thankfully, it really appears that this is where Brianna and Roger's on-screen story is headed. I would love to see Brianna bring her family members 20th-century books like she did in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. Seeing Sam Heughan's Jamie reading The Lord of the Rings would be great fun.

9 The American Revolution Comes To North Carolina

Jamie Can't Escape The War Entirely

Another Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone story that Outlander season 7 has already begun to set up is the arrival of the American Revolution to North Carolina. In season 7, Jamie decided to leave the Continental Army to return to Fraser's Ridge after Claire was shot, and he noted that this likely wouldn't go over well with his superiors. The Outlander books prove that he is entirely correct.

Jamie will have no choice but to put his uniform back on after his dramatic and bloody resignation in Outlander season 7. The battles of the American Revolution will arrive at Fraser's Ridge and North Carolina, and Jamie will need to protect his home and family from the British. In the books, Jamie has a bit of an edge, since Brianna brings a textbook from the future that details the Revolutionary War battles fought near the Frasers' home (written by none other than Frank Randall).

Brianna is seen looking at one of Frank's books in Outlander season 7, so this may connect to the war in season 8.

8 Bree & William Get To Know One Another

These Siblings Deserve To Connect

Outlander season 7 saw William learn the truth about Jamie being his father (which technically happened in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone). Now, Outlander season 8 can follow William as he begins to form connections with his biological family. Though he is slow to accept his bastard status, William ultimately bonds with Jamie. However, his sibling relationship with Brianna is fun to see.

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Neither Brianna nor William have ever had a sibling, so the prospect is exciting for them. It would be frustrating if Outlander ended without fleshing out this brother-sister relationship. This could be even more interesting given the TV show's new story about Faith Fraser. Seeing Brianna and William grow closer as they learn about another long-lost sibling would be a great way to wrap up these stories.

7 Claire & Fanny Develop Their Relationship

Claire & Fanny's Relationship Will Be Even More Important In The Show

Fanny is slow to trust Claire's affection for her in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. Despite the Frasers bringing the orphan to Fraser's Ridge and taking care of her, Fanny is still mortified in the books when she starts her period since she thinks it means Claire and Jamie will attempt to profit off her womanhood. It's only after Claire demonstrates that this would never be the plan that Fanny settles in and really becomes a part of the family.

Seeing Fanny and Claire's relationship develop in Outlander will be even more interesting since season 7 revealed they may share a biological connection. This isn't at all true in the books, but this added level of mystery could add significantly to the story.

6 Ian & Rachel Travel To Visit The Mohawk

Ian's Book Story Brings His Arc Full Circle

Outlander season 7 saw Young Ian marry Rachel Hunter, and the finale revealed that they have a baby on the way. The story in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone continues with the baby's birth at Fraser's Ridge. Still, their family isn't quite complete since Ian's other son, Swiftest of Lizards (AKA Ian James), lives with his mother Emily among the Mohawk.

While there, Emily is given the honor of naming Ian and Rachel's son, and she also asks that the couple take Swiftest of Lizards back with them to keep him safe.

In Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, Ian and Rachel visit the Mohawk to ensure that Emily and her children have not been harmed in a recent battle. While there, Emily is given the honor of naming Ian and Rachel's son, and she also asks that the couple take Swiftest of Lizards back with them to keep him safe. It's a heartwarming solution to Ian's tragic Outlander season 5 story that absolutely must be included in season 8.

5 Fergus & Marsali's Return To Fraser's Ridge

We Have Missed These Outlander Characters

We haven't seen Fergus and Marsali for quite some time in Outlander, but Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone hints that this could soon change. In the book, this couple comes to Fraser's Ridge for an extended visit, where they take part in some of the Fraser family's book-nine adventures. It can be hoped that Outlander season 8 will follow this book story and bring them back as well.

Fergus is Jamie and Claire's adoptive son, so it would be a shame if he weren't reunited with them before the series ends. Similarly, Marsali has become Claire's beloved daughter and a sister to Brianna. She is also a fan favorite, so her return would be deeply appreciated.

4 Brianna's Revelation About Captain Richardson

More Time Traveler Characters Are A Must

The Outlander books have spent much more time revealing time-traveling characters than the TV show. Not only are Master Raymond and Comte St Germain time travelers, but Captain Richardson—the man who warned John Grey of Claire's impending arrest—is one as well. Richardson had previously attempted to get Claire to spy on the Greys for him, but the books reveal there is even more to his plans.

In Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, Brianna realizes Captain Richardson is connected to the men harassing her in the 20th century. The TV show's version of events would translate solely to Rob Cameron, who kidnapped Jemmy to find the Jacobite gold. It's an exciting plotline, and one that Outlander season 8 would benefit from to include.

3 Roger & Brianna Have Another Baby

Outlander Must Introduce Little Davy

Roger and Brianna brought two children into the world in the 18th century, and Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone has continued the trend. In this book, Brianna and Roger welcome a third child, whom they named David (Davy for short). This MacKenzie child is unique because he doesn't seem to carry the time traveling gene—he will never exist in the 20th century.

Davy's not being a time traveler adds some tension to the events of Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone since it is officially no longer an option for the Frasers or MacKenzies to escape to the future to avoid danger. Given the impending arrival of the Revolutionary War in North Carolina, this is a twist that Outlander season 8 just can't leave out.

2 Claire Healing A Dying Baby

Claire's Healing Powers Must Come Into Play

In Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, Claire delivered a set of twins on Fraser's Ridge, but one appeared to be stillborn. Claire desperately clung to the baby, and, using her mysterious powers, sensed the softest spark within the child's body. Claire's magic seemed to draw from her love for Jamie and her painful memories of losing Faith. Before long, the spark of life grew, and baby began to breathe.

Claire's powers aren't as prominent in the Outlander TV show as in the books, but there are still hints throughout the on-screen story that she will perform a miracle at some point. Therefore, it would make sense for the baby to be a feature of Outlander season 8. Of course, given the big Faith tease in season 7, this book story may be replaced by a flashback of sorts showing how something similar happened to Claire's baby.

1 Claire Using Her Power To Heal Jamie

Claire's Greatest Miracle Would Be An Excellent Finale

The big event of Go Tell the Bees That I'm Gone is when Jamie Fraser dies in a battle on Grandfather Mountain. He had already read in a book that Frank Randall wrote that this would be his fate (yes, Frank knew that Jamie and Claire would live on Fraser's Ridge in the 1770s), but he chose to go fight anyway. Hearing that Jamie had been killed and left on the mountain, Claire went searching until she found his body—and she brought him back in the same way she did the baby.

With Jamie saved and Claire fully embracing her magical abilities, Outlander could come to a satisfying close.

There's still another book left in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, but Claire bringing Jamie back from the brink of death could be the perfect way to end season 8. Though not canon, the revelation about little Faith could undoubtedly lead to this climactic moment, as it might inspire Claire to explore her healing powers. With Jamie saved and Claire fully embracing her magical abilities, Outlander could come to a satisfying close.