The upcoming Outlander season 7 is bringing back some fan-favorite characters for the next chapter of the hit Starz show. The historical/time travel show is based on the hugely popular series of books of the same name, written by Diana Gabaldon. Outlander tells the story of World War II nurse Claire Randall, who is mysteriously taken through time during her honeymoon in Scotland and ends up in the Scottish Highlands in 1743, in a world and society very different from her own. Once in the past, Claire has to deal with all sorts of threats to her life, and ends up in an arranged marriage with highlander Jamie Fraser.

The Starz show has garnered a multitude of fans across the world over the years. Each season is based on one of the books, and although there have been some changes throughout the show's run, Outlander does largely follow the books' main storylines faithfully. With Outlander season 7 currently in production, a lot of new information about the upcoming episodes are starting to trickle in.

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Now, Deadline has brought word that Outlander season 7 will see the return of six fan-favorite characters from past seasons of the show. Graham McTavish, who is currently on HBO's House of Dragons, is returning to reprise his role as Dougal MacKenzie, Jamie's uncle, alongside Steven Cree as Old Ian Murray, Andrew Whipp as Brian Fraser, Jamie’s father, Nell Hudson as Laoghaire Fraser, Layla Burns as Joan MacKimmie, Marsali’s sister and Jamie’s stepdaughter, and Lotte Verbeek as Geillis Duncan, Claire’s former friend-turned-enemy and a fellow time traveler. Showrunner, writer and executive producer Matthew B. Roberts, wrote about the cast's return in the following statement:

“One of the many joys of our epic story is the element of time travel which allows us to revisit some of our favorite characters in different times and places, and we’re thrilled to welcome back so many familiar faces for season seven. In addition to our returning cast, we’re also excited to welcome several new actors to the Outlander family and cannot wait to introduce them to fans in our extended season.”

What Character Returns Mean For Outlander Season 7

Sam Heughan in Outlander

In addition to the returning stars, audiences will also meet a number of new faces in Outlander season 7. Some of the new names joining the cast include Gloria Obianyo (Dune) as Mercy Woodcock, a free Black woman trying to deal with all the difficulties and threats in Colonial America; Rod Hallett (The Last Kingdom) as Benedict Arnold, the famous Revolutionary soldier turned traitor; Diarmaid Murtagh (Vikings) as Buck MacKenzie, Dougal MacKenzie and Geillis Duncan's illegitimate son and Roger’s ancestor; and Kristin Atherton (Shakespeare & Hathaway) as Jenny Murray, Jamie’s sister and Young Ian’s mother. Jenny was originally played by Laura Donnelly, who is currently on HBO Max's The Nevers.

While a shortened season 6 received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike, it will be interesting to see how closely Outlander season 7 will follow the books. Because season 6 was shorter than usual, the storyline of book 6, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, still has a bit to go on the show. But following on to book 7, An Echo in the Bone, audiences can expect a lot of time travel hijinks, as well as a trip to Scotland for Jamie and Claire, which will likely explain how most of the returning characters will show up.

However, that does not explain the return of Dougal MacKenzie and Brian Fraser, who have been dead for a while, even in the past. So other than appearing in flashbacks, the only possible explanation is time travel for Jamie's uncle and father to show up on Outlander alive and well. Starz has not yet confirmed when season 7 will premiere, but fans should expect an announcement by early 2023.

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