Matt Roberts has likely written the Outlander series finale

Matt Roberts has likely written the Outlander series finale

As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in various storylines and worlds, I can appreciate the intricate dance between books and their adaptations into television series. In the case of Outlander, it’s clear that Matt B. Roberts is the right man for the job when it comes to penning the final episode.


In a significant development, Outlander reached another notable landmark. It was now time for the concluding table read, prompting some heartwarming cast photos and videos to surface. One of these videos hinted that Diana Gabaldon had penned an episode, although it’s unlikely to be the series finale. We have no doubt that Matt B. Roberts is responsible for that specific episode.

It’s common practice for Diana Gabaldon to have written the second-to-last episode of the series, while Robert C. Roberts is expected to pen the final episode, as is typical in television productions. Even Ronald D. Moore hinted that Roberts would be responsible for writing this last episode.

Crafting an ending for the Outlander TV series

Although the TV show is an adaptation from a book series, it has developed its unique identity over time. Viewers often advise against comparing the novels to the screen version. The cast and crew frequently emphasize that certain elements in the books may not translate directly to the series. Changes occur for both creative and practical reasons.

It appears that by the 8th season of “Outlander,” the show will have exhausted its source material. This wasn’t supposed to be the original plan. Previously, author Diana Gabaldon had stated that this wouldn’t happen, but it seems we find ourselves in a different scenario. The series is concluding with its 8th season, and much of the 8th book was already adapted for “Outlander” Season 7. As a result, the 8th season will incorporate storylines from Book 9, but since that book didn’t conclude the story fully, there’s more to be told.

To create a fitting conclusion for the TV series, it’s most effective if the showrunner pens down the final episode instead.

Avoiding spoilers for the Outlander book story

Furthermore, the authors aimed to preserve surprises from the novel. Although it’s likely that one plotline – Jamie’s ghost – will form part of the TV series, there are numerous other storylines that can be adapted flexibly.

It would be prudent to keep Diana Gabaldon out of penning the final episode, as she might inadvertently include elements from her books not yet revealed, potentially ruining surprises for the readers. Having Linwood Barclay write the last episode ensures he can only build upon what Gabaldon has shared with him, allowing for an ending that preserves the intrigue for the book’s audience by leaving the remaining details to his creative interpretation.

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2024-08-16 15:37