Everything You Need to Know About Outlander Season 4: The Release Date, New Cast, and More

Outlander's epic third season came to a close last December, whether we wanted it to or not. Although we're all in the midst of a painful droughtlander until season four returns (in November!), we do have some good, hurricane-free news to share with you. From a couple of new additions to the show's Golden Globe-nominated cast, to where Claire and Jamie's story is headed, check out all the scraps of information we've rounded up to obsess over in the interim. And once you're done doing that, feel free to pour over every gorgeous photo Starz has released from season four so far.

01
The Story
Starz

The Story

As far as we know, season four will follow Diana Gabaldon's Drums of Autumn. With Claire and Jamie making a new life in North Carolina (because Jamie's aunt lives there), their story will take a number of exciting new twists and turns. First and foremost is the introduction of a wily new villain, Stephen Bonnet, who will terrorize most of the major characters and give Black Jack Randall a run for his money. When they're not dealing with Bonnet, we'll get to see our favorite couple relishing in their domesticity, as well as taking on Native American ghosts and bear fights. Pretty standard problems for them.

What might be most exciting is the big meeting between Jamie and his daughter, Bree. That's right — she'll travel from Boston to the stones so she can go back in time and reunite with her parents. Expect plenty of emotion with her arrival, especially because she's not traveling to the past alone. Roger accompanies her, and their relationship has to overcome some pretty traumatic obstacles. Fortunately, the appearance of Lord John Grey should make up for it!

02
The Potential Return of Geillis Duncan
Starz

The Potential Return of Geillis Duncan

With one vicious swing of a machete, it sure seemed like Geillis Duncan's time had come to an end in the season three finale, "Eye of the Storm." And after discovering what she was up to in regard to Brianna, we wouldn't be too upset about it. But is this the last we'll see of the time traveler? In the books, Geillis dies in Voyager, the third book and the one upon which season three is based. Author Diana Gabaldon does, however, bring Geillis back in book eight, Written in My Own Heart's Blood. It's unclear if the show will run that long, so we wouldn't rule out a potential reappearance from Geillis much sooner than that (maybe in some season four flashbacks?).

03
New Additions to the Cast
Getty | Robin Marchant and Getty / Angela Weiss

New Additions to the Cast

Outlander has already filled a few key roles for season four. Now that Maria Doyle Kennedy's lengthy run as Siobhan Sadler on Orphan Black is at an end, we're excited to see the Irish actress joining Outlander as Aunt Jocasta. The strong-willed and opinionated character is the youngest sister of Ellen, Colum, and Dougal MacKenzie, and grew up with the family at Castle Leoch. Later on in life, she fled with her husband to an American colony in North Carolina, where she bought a large plantation with smuggled gold. Jocasta plays a big role in Claire and Jamie's eventual arrival in the colonies, since she offers them a place at her plantation, River Run.

Ed Speleers, a Downton Abbey and Wolf Hall alum, is playing Stephen Bonnet. Without giving too much away, the villainous Irish pirate and smuggler's story will intersect with Brianna's fate in a horrific way. Fingers crossed the writers decide to switch up their interaction for TV.

See who else is joining the cast here!

04

The First Look

An extremely brief teaser trailer for the hit Starz adaptation was released after season three's finale. The clip hints at Claire and Jamie's new American dream, seeing the reunited pair chatting about whether or not they'll be able to make it in America.

05
The Premiere Date
Starz

The Premiere Date

Outlander's fourth season will premiere on Nov. 4!