9 Things We Know About Outlander Season 2

Outlander comes back in April for season two, and we've just gotten the briefest of teases with the first trailers. However, we know a lot about the upcoming installment, and not just because it will follow the second book, Dragonfly in Amber, so closely. The trailers have afforded us some details, but even better, the creator and stars Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe answered a lot of season two questions at the Outlander panel at this year's Winter TCA. Keep reading for the latest info on season two, and if it's just a Jamie fix you're looking for, we have that too.

01
We're Going Back to the '40s
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We're Going Back to the '40s

Get ready for a lot more time travel. The season two trailer shows Claire's return to the 1940s and her first husband Frank, played by Tobias Menzies. Of course she gets back to Jamie in her timeline with him, where she has a lot going on. And speaking of travel . . .

02
We're Going to France!
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We're Going to France!

Just like in the second book, Claire and Jamie are headed for France. The change of scenery is driven by the plot — Claire's knowledge of the future is going to be used to disrupt the Jacobite rebellion and save Scotland — but it'll be a nice refresh from a season spent in the beautiful but monotone Scottish highlands. And on that note . . .

03
The Clothes Are About to Get a Lot Better
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The Clothes Are About to Get a Lot Better

Obviously, Claire and Jamie are going to have to step up their fashion game to keep up with French society. Caitriona Balfe, who plays Claire, addressed the change, mentioning that the Scottish clothes are "very practical" in "a palate that was very muted," but in France, we're getting real fashion. "[Costume designer] Terry [Dresbach] was give this incredible freedom to make the most incredible, beautiful pieces," Balfe said, adding that there will be "gorgeous colors" and the effect is "so sumptuous."

Indeed, when I interviewed Dresbach last year about designing the wardrobe for season two, she promised, "It'll be spectacular. It's got to be spectacular! It's Paris!"

04
Jamie's Assault Will Continue to Haunt Him — but There's a Silver Lining
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Jamie's Assault Will Continue to Haunt Him — but There's a Silver Lining

Jamie's rape at the hands of Black Jack Randall was an event so huge, it dominated the final two episodes of the first season. Like in real life, it's not just going away. While Heughan said that the incident is not the primary focus of the season, Jamie "is definitely still affected by the trauma."

But there's hope he will get past it: Heughan assured us that "time is a great healer," and that Jamie "puts his whole body and soul into this mission about changing history." He also promised "a great revelation that kind of cures him," adding that "it certainly brings back the old Jamie."

05
We See Claire's Pregnancy
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We See Claire's Pregnancy

Claire reveals her pregnancy at the end of season one, so obviously it'll play a big part in season two. Creator Ronald D. Moore confirms that "it plays into the storyline" as a thread that starts in Paris, but he wouldn't offer too many specifics so as not to give anything away.

The theme of parenthood will also come from another source besides Claire and Jamie's unborn child. Heughan told us that there's a character, a young boy, who "becomes their surrogate son." It has an impact on Jamie and the marriage of Jamie and Claire: "It's really nice to see Jamie as a father," Heughan said, and "It brings another energy and dynamic" to his and Claire's relationship.

06
Tobias Menzies Is Very Much a Part of Season 2
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Tobias Menzies Is Very Much a Part of Season 2

Menzies, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Black Jack Randall in season one, will still have a presence in season two, but not as Randall. As we mentioned with the time traveling back to the 1940s, he's once again playing Claire's husband, Frank. Even without him playing Randall, though, that character will continue to play a part in Claire's psyche. As when Claire had first only been able to see her husband in Randall, now "there is that reverse thing," Balfe said. "Every time she looks at Frank, she can’t help but see Black Jack." It's just one of the layers, she said, that will make that relationship difficult.

07
Don't Worry, There's Still Lots of Sex
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Don't Worry, There's Still Lots of Sex

Amid all the time waffling, pregnancy, and history changing, Claire and Jamie will still find time to get down to business. The new trailer shown to reporters at the TCA teased a little bit of a love scene, and surprise! It was steamier than ever.

08
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The Trailer

There are more where this came from!

09
The Premiere Date
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The Premiere Date

It'll be back on April 9!