TV show Outlander commissioned for two more series
The time-travelling drama, adapted from American author Diana Gabaldon’s best selling series, is set in Scotland and has a huge global audience which has generated millions of pounds for the country’s creative and tourism industries.
Tourism chiefs last night said the new series would continue to increase visitor numbers to Scotland.
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Hide AdPredominantly shot in a converted warehouse in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, other locations across Scotland used for filming have included Doune Castle near Dunblane, Blackness Castle in West Lothian, the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore, and Pollock Park in Glasgow.
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The Sony-Starz series features Scottish actor Sam Heughan as 18th-century Scottish Highlander Jamie Fraser and time-travelling Second World War nurse Claire Randall Fraser, played by Caitriona Balfe, with much of the action based around the time of the Jacobite Rebellion.
The third instalment of the television show will be based on Gabaldon’s novel entitled Voyager.
A spokeswoman at Amazon Prime confirmed that, as with the first two series, the new episodes will only be available in Scotland through its paid for service.
The star of the show, Scottish actor Sam Heughan, told fans on Twitter he was “excited” following the announcement.
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Hide AdMalcolm Roughead, chief executive of the Scottish Government tourist body VisitScotland, said: “This is terrific news, not only for fans of the show, but for Scottish tourism.
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Hide Ad“A number of locations featured in the series have already been reaping the rewards of the ‘Outlander effect’, with the likes of Doune Castle, Falkland and Culross all enjoying a surge in visitor numbers.
“Further series will ensure this effect continues and further cement Scotland’s reputation as the ultimate ‘set-jetting’ destination.”
A Creative Scotland spokeswoman, said: “We’re delighted Outlander has been commissioned for a further two seasons. We are proud to have supported the substantial trainee programme to date, which has provided an unparalleled opportunity to a large number of Scottish-based craft and technical talent.”
Starz CEO Chris Albrecht said: “Outlander is like nothing seen before on television,
“We are thrilled and honoured 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.”