Outlander Boss Responds to Fans Upset About S7: ‘I’m Kind of Surprised’

Summary:

• Outlander, the TV show based on the novel series by Diana Gabaldon, has been running for 7 seasons now and is still very popular among fans.
• Season 7, however, was disappointing to some as it took the focus away from the main couple, Claire and Jamie.
• The show's showrunner, Maril Davis, explained the changes by pointing to similar changes in the novels that the show's script closely follows.

Many fans believe that some novels and book franchises are better left alone, without any adaptation at all. The reader's imagination can probably paint a much more enticing picture than any movie set, and at a much lower price. However, if the adaptation is good, it becomes instantly known and loved.

Such was the case with Outlander, Starz's adaptation of Diana Gabaldon's iconic book series. At least for the first 6 seasons, before the show took a turn that left many disappointed.

Is Outlander Following the Books?

Unfortunately, even the most talented writers can only fit so much into a season of the show without it becoming too fast-paced or overwhelming to watch. For Outlander fans, season 7 of the show proved to be truly divisive, with some enjoying every aspect of the show and others missing Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe's presence on their screens.

For the show's showrunner, Maril Davis, this variety of reactions came as a surprise. Speaking to the Radio Times, she responded to those who were disappointed with the events of the season.

“I’m kind of surprised by that because – we can’t always, but we try to follow the books as much as possible, and this really does follow the books. Jamie and Claire are always going to be our center of the wheel, but there are quite a few characters to service,” she explained.

Adapting any novel for the screen is not an easy task, and it is almost impossible to satisfy every fan equally, as each adaptation requires changes to the written material.

So far, the Outlander writers have been careful to follow all the major milestones and events of the novels, and to tell the stories of those characters who will inevitably have an impact on the main characters.

While Outlander will forever remain a story of great love overcoming all odds, Claire and Jamie are products of their respective times and the people around them, so it would be impossible to describe their journey without spending some time on others. Hopefully season 8 will balance everything out and leave the fandom happy.

Whether you think season 7 should have spent more time with its main characters, or you love exploring the Outlander universe with or without them, you won't want to miss season 8. Keep an eye out for more news from the production of Outlander's final season to be the first to know the premiere dates.

Source: Radio Times