The dreaded Droughtlander was finally broken thanks to The Paley Center hosting the cast of Outlander on the opening night of Paleyfest New York 2024, the premier television festival.
Credit: Courtesy of The Paley Center For Media
The energy was palpable from the moment you arrived at the Paley Center in Midtown. Droves of fans were lined up outside waiting for the arrival of their favorite actors who have brought Outlander to life over the last ten years. Everyone in attendance at the sought-after conversation on October 16 was a part of one clan that night — the Outlander clan. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the hit STARZ series, the evening with the Outlander cast provided an exclusive sneak preview of what’s in store for the upcoming new season, a look back at the last decade of filming, and a jovial conversation with the stars and executive producer.
Credit: Courtesy of The Paley Center For Media
In attendance were Caitríona Balfe (Claire Fraser), Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), Sophie Skelton (Brianna Mackenzie), Richard Rankin (Roger Mackenzie), John Bell (Young Ian Murray), and Executive Producer Maril Davis. The evening which was moderated by Kimberly Roots, Editor-in-Chief at TVLine, was filled with laughter, reflections, and swooning from the lasses in the audience. Fans filled the venue for the exclusive sneak preview of what’s in store for part 2 of Season 7, premiering November 22, alongside clips from past episodes that rekindled cherished memories for the fans and actors.
Credit: Courtesy of The Paley Center For Media
“Blood of my blood, and bone of my bone.” This may be a quote from Jamie to Claire in season one, but you could tell it’s also how the actors and producer felt about one another thanks to this incredible Television journey that became a phenomenon. They have become a family.
Credit: Courtesy of The Paley Center For Media
Here are some standout moments and quotes from the evening:
- Fan Favorites Return: Sam Heughan teased that part 2 of Season 7 will see the return of fan-favorite characters and “frenemies,” jokingly adding, “I’m not saying it’s a musical, but… maybe it is!” This lighthearted comment had the audience laughing and speculating about what could come next. One thing we do know, Laoghire will be back to stir up some trouble.
- Caitríona’s Directorial Debut: Caitríona shared insight into her experience directing, sharing that it is a completely different experience to watch the cast work and be part of it from a different angle.” Her excitement about filming Season 8 was palpable, as she noted it was a journey she would never forget.
- Sophie’s Cosplay Observations: Sophie Skelton mentioned, “Whenever I see people cosplaying Brianna, I think they look more like her than I do!”
- Richard’s Darker Scenes: Richard Rankin discussed the harrowing experience of filming his character’s hanging scene, stating that it pushed him to hm limits. He and John Bell also recounted when they almost crashed a horse & carriage into a tree, forcing Rankin to catapult out of his seat.
- Young Ian’s Journey: John Bell shared a cherished moment recalling “When Young Ian returned, it was a homecoming in every sense. That moment meant a lot to me and the fans.”
- Secrecy of the Finale: Executive Producer Maril Davis added a layer of intrigue by revealing, “Not every cast member saw every part of the finale script.” They all joked that this was so no one could ruin the surprise.
PaleyFest NY is the fall’s premier television festival, showcasing preview screenings and discussions with the casts and creative teams of today’s hottest shows. The festival continues through October 22 with A Conversation with Chip & Joanna Gaines, The Diplomat (Netflix), and CBS Mornings. Also at the Paley Center is The Latin GRAMMYs®: 25 Years of Musical Excellence Los Latin GRAMMYs®: 25 Años de Excelencia Musical, free now through November 3.
