Outlander star Sophie Skelton, who plays Brianna, weighs in on whether season 8 will adapt one of her character’s key plot developments. Adapted from the hit books by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander spans seven seasons and 91 episodes to date. Skelton joined the series in season 2, playing Bree, the daughter of main characters Claire and Jamie Fraser, and the character has enjoyed strong arcs over the course of the show. The upcoming Outlander season 8, which will conclude the show, is expected to partially adapt Gabaldon’s novel Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, which features a big development for Bree
In an interview with TVLine, Skelton reveals her hopes that Outlander season 8 will feature Brianna and Roger’s third child from Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. The actor points out that sometimes the series follows the books closely, but it doesn’t always do so. However, she’s very interested in this plot point making it to screen. Check out Skelton’s comments below:
Yes, in the books, Brianna and Roger have another baby. As you know, we sometimes stick to the books, and we sometimes don’t. But I think it would be great if they had another child. And wearing the fake pregnancy bumps is super fun, so sign me up. I’m a child of three, and I think three is a great number. So that would be super fun, if it was in Season 8.
What Skelton’s Comments Mean For Outlander Season 8
There Could Be Big Changes Ahead For Brianna
As the last season, Outlander season 8 will wrap up some of the characters’ most pivotal arcs from the books. It is unclear exactly where the season’s story will go, and even whether Brianna will have the additional child that she does in the books. Skelton herself may only have limited knowledge of the direction her character’s arc will take, and her comments suggest she is talking about what she hopes will happen, as opposed to what she knows will happen.
The Outlander show has balanced being faithful to the books with putting in changes where necessary to serve the story it is telling. Eliminating Brianna’s third child seems like an odd change to make, which would support the idea that she will give birth one last time. However, Outlander has already set up another major book change for season 8 with the Fraser Prophecy, which could result in Brianna’s death in season 8. This would be an even more drastic change than simply not including her baby, and perhaps a far more divisive one.
Our Take On Outlander Season 8’s Brianna Arc
Season 8’s Story Is A Mystery, But Brianna Will Play A Central Role
It is unclear what direction the show will choose to take for season 8, but Brianna should play a prominent role. There is the matter of the prophecies, which appear to directly involve Bree, but the wording here could be misleading. There’s also a good chance that she will have another child due to the aforementioned connection to Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. For now, viewers will have to make do with speculating until Outlander season 8 finally makes it on the air.