TV Heartbeat Breaking News! Starz renews Outlander for 2 more books on World Outlander Day!

It’s official!

Fans have been curious as to why a third season of Outlander had not been announced when the new season has been such a critical and fan success. It looks like Starz was waiting to make the announcement on World Outlander Day, the 25th anniversary of the first book’s publication.

The wait is finally over as Starz finally announced not one, but TWO seasons of Outlander.

And there was much rejoicing!

The announcement also says that the next two books in the series, Voyager and Drums of Autumn, will each be a season. (Early on, executive producer Ron Moore wanted to split the third book. Voyager, into two seasons.) There is no episode count yet. I’m sure we’ll hear more on that later.

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Here’s the official announcement from Starz:

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF., JUNE 1, 2016/ – Starz Chief Executive Officer Chris Albrecht announced today the network has ordered “Book Three” and “Book Four” for the Golden Globe®-nominated STARZ Original series “Outlander,” the critically-acclaimed original series executive produced by Ronald D. Moore and adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international bestselling books. Once again partnering with Sony Pictures Television, this is the first multi-book pickup for “Outlander,” assuring the series will run for several more years.

The highly-anticipated second installment of the series premiered on STARZ in April 2016.

“Book Three” will be based on the third of the eight books in the _Outlander_ series, entitled _Voyager_, followed by “Book Four” based on the fourth book in the series, _Drums of Autumn_.

CEO of Starz Chris Albrecht said, “’Outlander’ is like nothing  seen before on television. From its depiction of a truly powerful
female lead character, to the devastating decimation of the Highlander way of life, to what is a rarely seen genuine and timeless love story, it is a show that not only transports the viewer, but inspires the passion and admiration of its fans. On this 25th anniversary of the publication of the first book in the U.S., we are thrilled and honored to be able to continue the story that began with author Diana  Gabaldon, and is brought to life by the incredibly talented Ronald D. Moore. There are no better storytellers for ‘Outlander’ than this team, both in front and behind the camera.”

“The world of Jamie and Claire is expansive and emotionally complex. The audience has rewarded Outlander with their praise and loyalty, and we know we will deliver the best seasons yet in the years ahead,” said Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg , Presidents, U.S. Programming and Production, Sony Pictures Television. “Starz has been an incredible partner and has truly helped shape this into one of the most iconic premiere series on the air today.”

“Outlander” received three 2016 Golden Globe® nominations, including Best Drama Series, Best Lead Actress and Best Supporting Actor. Fans recently named “Outlander” the “Most Bingeworthy Show of 2016” at the Critics’ Choice Awards®, as well as Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show and Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress for Caitriona Balfe at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards®. The series also received a Costume Designers Guild Awards® (CDGA) nomination this year.

The first 16-episode run of “Outlander,” filmed on location in Scotland, debuted in August 2014 with the season averaging 5 million multiplatform viewers per episode and regularly ranking in the top 10 weekly cable programs among women throughout the season. “Outlander” ranks in the Top 5 Daily Nielsen Twitter TV Ratings every week.

The “Outlander” second season premiere episode more than doubled viewing as compared to the “Outlander” first season premiere episode, setting a new STARZ record for an original series/season premiere (on a Live +SD, Live +3, and Live +7 basis). Through seven episodes in season 2, the series has also been a top two rated show across all of cable among women 18+ (Nielsen Live +3 F18+ ratings).

(/SOURCE: Starz internal data, Nielsen Npower, and Nielsen Twitter Ratings).

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