With production keeping things fairly hush-hush, only eight episodes, and COVID-19 restrictions, it's been a struggle to figure out what will happen in Outlander Season 6. I've done my fair share of theorizing about Outlander Season 6 storylines, so I decided to turn to the experts.
I polled 11 people* who run Outlander fan accounts about which plots from Diana Gabaldon's sixth Outlander book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, they think will make it to the shortened Season 6 — and which they think might hit the cutting room floor. Some storylines are all but guaranteed due to hints from production (ones like the Christies, Roger becoming a minister, and Young Ian's Mohawk backstory). So I focused on smaller moments that readers would love to see but aren't super essential to the plot and major storylines that might be pushed back to the 16-episode Season 7.
Since none of us are privy to what happened in the writers' room, it's anybody's guess! But here's what Desirre Andrews of A Dram of Outlander, Melissa B. of Melissa's Observations, Cathie McQuistion of Cats and Kilts and Caitlin's Coterie, Jackie Merrell of Angus' Angels, Dorianne Panich of Outlander Homepage, Tracey Randinelli and Carol Stark of My Outlander Purgatory, Tracy Sterling of Outlander Obsessed, Maria T. of The Outlander Lounge, Lorenza V. of I Have My Own Path To Follow, and Ginger Wiseman of The Outlander Podcast had to say. Major book spoilers ahead.
*Note: Not all participants answered every poll question.
1. Mrs. Wilson's Resurrection
Mrs. Wilson has a memorable funeral when she comes back to life... only to die shortly after. It features Roger's early ministry work, Claire's medical skills, and the sin-eater, who comes up again when Claire gets deathly ill. Not to mention, it's a funny scene and Gabaldon herself tweeted that she wanted to see it on the show.
Will It Make The Cut?
64% Yes
36% No
Why Yes?
"Herself, Diana Gabaldon, may not be as well known for her comedic writing as she is for dramatic, but she has done a masterful job with this chapter. In the book, Jemmy steals the scenes. In the right hands, this could be comedy gold!"
–Melissa B., Melissa's Observations
Why No?
"In general they've been leaving out many of the humorous bits, and with the limited time of the season, I think this will go. It also would need quite a few extras, and I think they'll cut out anything like that because of covid filming."
–Cathie McQuistion, Cats and Kilts and Caitlin's Coterie
2. Henri-Christian Is Born With Dwarfism
Fergus and Marsali's fourth child is born with dwarfism and the people of the Ridge are extremely prejudiced against him. Everyone who answered the poll seems to agree that Henri-Christian will be featured — in large part due to the above photo of Richard Rankin holding a baby in a stream, which is most likely when Roger baptizes the child. But I've previously discussed with fans how this is a particularly sensitive storyline to depict and could be difficult in the casting department.
Will It Make The Cut?
70% Yes
30% No
Why Yes?
"Yes, but with a very modified story. It will be difficult from a logistical standpoint to realistically depict this character as an infant, let alone as a young child. I think it would be amazing if they would, but at most they might modify his role to being born with it, but not surviving infancy, so they can do the Fergus reaction story."
–Cathie McQuistion, Cats and Kilts and Caitlin's Coterie
Why No?
"While positive we're getting the Henri-Christian story, I think they might go for some other form of ailment."
—Jackie Merrell, Angus' Angels
3. Fergus & Family Leave The Ridge After He Attempts Suicide
Fergus has mental health struggles before and after Henri-Christian, in part due to feelings that he can't adequately protect his family. After Jamie finds him trying to commit suicide, Jamie helps Fergus land a printing job in New Bern and Fergus's family leaves the Ridge.
Will It Make The Cut?
73% Yes
27% No
Why Yes?
"I definitely think that Fergus's struggles will be similar to those in the book, and I could certainly see a suicide attempt happening. Whether that leads to them leaving the Ridge, I'm not sure. But I'd be surprised not to see a great exploration of Fergus and depression/suicidal thoughts."
–Tracey Randinelli, My Outlander Purgatory
"Yes, this storyline will give Fersali some much anticipated screentime. This is something the fans want to see. I do wonder if they end up moving away from the Ridge so Fergus can find work in the printing press industry."
–Maria T., The Outlander Lounge
"It brings the Frasers to town again, which is in the later books. It also leaves Claire alone to be abused by Malva."
–Dorianne Panich, Outlander Homepage
Why No?
"Maybe… his character has been treated pretty lightweight since the move to the Ridge. He doesn't have much of a place there, but it hasn't been shown very much. I think Henri-Christian's birth and the aftermath of the attack on Marsali and the abduction of Claire is enough to send them packing."
–Desirre Andrews, A Dram of Outlander
"Fergus and Marsali are fan-favorites and there's been no foreshadowing of domestic violence nor could there be an easy way to cast a baby to portray Henri-Christian, which is one of the main motivators for Fergus's depression."
–Melissa B., Melissa's Observations
4. Jamie Becomes An "Indian Agent To The Crown"
Major MacDonald recruits Jamie to become an ambassador for the British to the Native American tribes — an "Indian Agent to the Crown." He takes on the job and forms a connection with the peace chief of the Snowbird Cherokee, which leads to some scandalous but amusing interactions. Eventually, Jamie quits, ending his allegiance to the British crown ahead of the impending American Revolution.
Will It Make The Cut?
70% Yes
30% No
Why Yes?
"This will further his understanding, language skills, and interpersonal relationship building within the tribal populations. It highlights his political savvy and ability to connect with others. It's a key component to his character's depth and development."
–Desirre Andrews, A Dram of Outlander
"I would more say maybe... but I believe it's a nice part of the story and one of the storylines that makes Jamie and Bree closer because they speak together about the fate of the American Indians and want to try to warn them."
–Lorenza V., I Have My Own Path To Follow
Why No?
"In eight episodes, this is one that probably won't make it. I believe the focus will be the Christies."
–Cathie McQuistion, Cats and Kilts and Caitlin's Coterie
5. The Bugs Steal Jocasta's Gold
Turns out Jocasta still has that French gold meant for the Jacobites that her husband Hector Cameron had brought from Scotland to the American colonies after the Battle of Culloden. But it gets stolen and Jamie and Claire discover that their trusted factor and housekeeper — Mr. and Mrs. Bug — were behind it the whole time. This betrayal has major repercussions in Book 7, An Echo in the Bone.
Will It Make The Cut?
40% Yes
60% No
Why Yes?
"My main reason for this answer is that we know Maria [Doyle Kennedy] was on set. So it's either this or Flora MacDonald's reception."
—Jackie Merrell, Angus' Angels
"So much of what comes afterward hinges on this, so I'd be surprised if this did not happen."
–Tracey Randinelli, My Outlander Purgatory
"Mrs. Bug was one of my favorite characters in the book so my Sassenach heart broke when this plot point was revealed. I'm hoping the writers make a change like they've done with other characters (hey Murtagh!), but this might be too good for them to resist."
–Melissa B., Melissa's Observations
Why No?
"I chose 'No,' but it really should be an 'I'm not sure.' I was surprised that the Bugs were not prominent characters in the TV series like they were in Book 5. Maybe the writers will come up with other ways to tell the story about the gold if they don't plan on moving these characters into the forefront. On the other hand, maybe they were kept to blend in during Season 5 so they could make a 'coming from the shadows' big-time entrance to the storyline."
–Maria T., The Outlander Lounge
"I believe that we will hear about the gold again, but maybe not with the Bugs as they were really not of great importance in Season 5."
–Lorenza V., I Have My Own Path To Follow
"This is hard. I have to say no, though, because there has been absolutely no development of these characters. We do not like them. In the books, we are groomed to like them, even love them. Otherwise, why would we mourn Mrs. Bug if she gets shot by Young Ian?"
–Ginger Wiseman, The Outlander Podcast
"Yes, no, maybe. The Bugs have been under utilized and minimized in their importance to the Ridge. However, there needs to be an antagonist to replace Bonnet... this one is an iffy addition to the current show framework without the depth of character development to back it up."
–Desirre Andrews, A Dram of Outlander
6. Flora MacDonald's Barbecue
Flora MacDonald is the woman who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape "over the sea to Skye" and there's a celebration at Aunt Jocasta's plantation to honor her. This large scene probably would have been a nightmare to film with COVID-19 protocols since there'd be a lot of extras. (Though showrunner Matthew B. Roberts told Elle.com that they could possibly use visual effects for group scenes during COVID.) But while at River Run for this event, the Frenchman's gold and that time-traveler Wendigo Donner also come back up.
Will It Make The Cut?
45.5% Yes
54.5% No
Why Yes?
"I feel that this scene at River Run will be a place where the politics of the upcoming Revolution may be discussed."
–Maria T., The Outlander Lounge
"[They] gotta go back to River Run."
–Tracy Sterling, Outlander Obsessed
"Though fascinating, life on the Ridge is hardly glamorous. The barbecue gives us the opportunity to see Jamie, Claire, et al. back in fancy attire as well as presenting us with 'palace intrigue' that moves us closer to the American Revolution."
–Melissa B., Melissa's Observations
Why No?
"I'd love to see this. But with how dense Book 6 is (even after bringing forward Claire's abduction and rape, and the killing of Bonnet), they need space. Yes, they have said anything needed can be tacked onto beginning Season 7, but have you seen the size of Book 7?! It's another monster. So keeping this out would save time."
–Ginger Wiseman, The Outlander Podcast
7. Lizzie Marries Both Beardsley Twins
After trying out a few suitors, Lizzie falls for Josiah and Keziah Beardsley. The throuple ends up tricking the Fraser-MacKenzies by having Lizzie marry both brothers after she becomes pregnant and doesn't know which identical twin is the father.
Will It Make The Cut?
100% Yes
Why Yes?
"I have to believe this — it's in my contract as #1 Caitlin [O'Ryan] fan! Naturally, I'm desperately hoping we see it, but there's a small chance that they will only tease it, and we don't actually see it happen until Season 7."
–Cathie McQuistion, Cats and Kilts and Caitlin's Coterie
"Because we will all stop watching if she doesn't! It's one of the funniest storylines in the series, and one of those events that book readers clamor for."
–Tracey Randinelli, My Outlander Purgatory
"This has already been hinted at quite a bit."
–Ginger Wiseman, The Outlander Podcast
"It's been long enough where Lizzie is in the background."
–Dorianne Panich, Outlander Homepage
"It will be fun to see this one play out. Especially with one actor playing two characters."
–Tracy Sterling, Outlander Obsessed
8. The Ridge Believes Roger Is Having An Affair
Roger becomes friendly with a widow on the Ridge with two young children, Amy McCallum. The people of the Ridge assume he's having an affair with her, which understandably is a point of contention in his marriage to Bree. The ordeal leads Roger to realize his urge to help Amy stems from a calling to become a minister.
Will It Make The Cut?
56% Yes
44% No
Why Yes?
"As a Roger fan, it feels to me as if the writers' room chooses the things from the book that makes Roger look worse, without balancing with all his positive characteristics we see in Diana's writing. I don't think they'll be able to resist making him look guilty."
–Cathie McQuistion, Cats and Kilts and Caitlin's Coterie
"This is a tough one. But I think we're going to need to set up some sort of conflict to play off of Bree, so let's go with yes."
–Tracey Randinelli, My Outlander Purgatory
Why No?
"Meh. It's a weak plotline. Roger's not that guy. He and Bree have enough on their plate for this."
–Desirre Andrews, A Dram of Outlander
"Maybe. But they will have Roger become a minister. Take me to church!"
–Tracy Sterling, Outlander Obsessed
9. Jemmy's Mole
Jemmy gets lice and so Jamie shaves his grandson's head. The family discovers wee Jem has a mole on his head, and Roger says he also has one. Claire notes that these types of moles are often hereditary — subtly confirming that Roger is indeed Jemmy's biological father.
Will It Make The Cut?
78% Yes
22% No
Why Yes?
"I am 100% sure we'll see Jemmy's mole/birthmark! Not only has Richard Rankin shaved off his hair (after working so hard to grow it out so he doesn't have to wear a wig), but one of the twins who plays Jemmy has a shaved head, too! It's the only thing I feel confident about!"
–Cathie McQuistion, Cats and Kilts and Caitlin's Coterie
"It's time everyone knew who didn't read the books that Roger is Jemmy's dad!"
–Dorianne Panich, Outlander Homepage
Why No?
"I don't know if this will be something that they will highlight in this season. Maybe in Season 7 when Jemmy gets a haircut for life in the 1970s."
–Maria T., The Outlander Lounge
10. The Battle Of Moore's Creek Bridge
Jamie fights for the patriot side in this early Revolutionary War battle, which leads him to remember the death of Murtagh.
Will It Make The Cut?
44% Yes
56% No
Why Yes?
"Most probably: the war coming will stay at the center of the concerns of the Frasers."
–Lorenza V., I Have My Own Path To Follow
"Battles make sexy TV."
–Desirre Andrews, A Dram of Outlander
Why No?
"Outlander does battle scenes so well, but I'm thinking COVID restrictions may have made this difficult to shoot. (I'd love to be proven wrong on this prediction!)"
—Jackie Merrell, Angus' Angels
"With eight episodes and the Christies finished this season, how could they add secondary storylines?"
–Dorianne Panich, Outlander Homepage
11. William Ransom Is Reintroduced
When the Frasers and MacKenzies go to Wilmington, Brianna runs into Lord John Grey and ends up meeting her half-brother, William Ransom. Even if the show skips this exact interaction (since TV Brianna already learned about William in Season 5), William becomes a main character in An Echo in the Bone, so the show may want to feature a grown-up version of Jamie's son ahead of Season 7. And with David Berry on the scene for Season 6, the fan accounts are torn if that means William could be with Lord John or not.
Will It Make The Cut?
64% Yes
36% No
Why Yes?
"This yes is a 'hope so.' I do hope that we get to see William Ransom as a young man at the end of Season 6."
–Maria T., The Outlander Lounge
"I rather think this will be at or near the end of the season, especially since David Berry has been seen in promotional videos."
—Jackie Merrell, Angus' Angels
"Oh hell yeah! I've been internally fan-casting this character for years. Whenever I see a young actor who even remotely looks like Sam Heughan, I look him up on IMDb. The relationship between Jamie and William is fascinating and I can't wait to see it play out."
–Melissa B., Melissa's Observations
Why No?
"I'm going to go out on a limb and say that they're saving Willie for Season 7. I would think at the very least, we would have seen some sort of casting if Willie was on board for this season."
–Tracey Randinelli, My Outlander Purgatory
"Timing for eight eps. I think it's going to be the mini-season of the Christies, with limited other side stories. But I do think we'll see David Berry as LJG in a flashback to Ardsmuir."
–Cathie McQuistion, Cats and Kilts and Caitlin's Coterie
"I believe, especially with Season 6 being so short, they will wait before introducing William as a young adult... But I'm sure it won't be possible to delay this introduction further than Season 7."
–Lorenza V., I Have My Own Path To Follow
12. Allan Christie Confesses
The Christie storylines and all of the drama that comes with them are a sure thing. But will Season 6 have time to complete the story where Allan confesses to being the one who murdered his sister Malva?
Will It Make The Cut?
100% Yes
Why Yes?
"Because of COVID filming, they needed an intense, dramatic major plot line that wouldn't always require huge crowds of extras, and could be told in eight eps. So I believe the main focus will be the Christies and they will try to wrap up the Malva and Allan story. Of course, we may see Tom later as in the books, but Season 6 will be it for Allan and Malva."
–Cathie McQuistion, Cats and Kilts and Caitlin's Coterie
"The Christies story will be intense but short. So I think this whole plot will just be in season 6. Plus, Alexander Vlahos revealed on social he said farewell to Allan. So it has to be done."
–Lorenza V., I Have My Own Path To Follow
"Wouldn't that be a heck of a season finale moment? Diana answered Alex Vlahos on Twitter after he stated that he'd just filmed a scene that made him say WTF... she agreed!"
—Jackie Merrell, Angus' Angels
13. Wendigo Donner Comes To The Ridge For Gemstones
The time traveler who came to the past with Otter Tooth and was in Lionel Brown's gang returns to the Ridge and causes harm to Claire again. This time, he's there to steal gemstones because he's desperately trying to get back to the 20th century.
Will It Make The Cut?
70% Yes
30% No
Why Yes?
"Wendigo wasn't killed in the post-abduction slaughter. He's a desperate loose end."
–Desirre Andrews, A Dram of Outlander
"Wendigo may come looking for gemstones about the time Bree and Roger decide they need to go back to the future for baby Mandy. These happening at the same time will cause some real Outlander drama. I see Wendigo stealing them right before they are supposed to go through the stones. Lord John Grey comes to the rescue and has gemstones for them to use."
–Maria T., The Outlander Lounge
Why No?
"I think this will be included, but not until Season 7."
—Jackie Merrell, Angus' Angels
14. The House Fire
The entire reason Brianna went back in time in the first place finally occurs at the end of A Breath of Snow and Ashes. During the chaos of Wendigo's robbery, Claire's ether is spilled and Young Ian lights one of the matches Bree created, and poof! the Big House goes up in flames.
Will It Make The Cut?
50% Yes
50% No
Why Yes?
"The Frasers need to move forward."
–Dorianne Panich, Outlander Homepage
"In all honesty, the house fire could go either way re: when it happens. But I'm going to put a stake in the ground and say it will happen this season — maybe in the last episode. It's just such a great way to leave things hanging a bit and keep viewers wondering what will happen as we move into Season 7."
–Tracey Randinelli, My Outlander Purgatory
Why No?
"I believe they won't have time for this, but it will most probably be part of Season 7."
–Lorenza V., I Have My Own Path To Follow
15. The MacKenzies Go Back To Their Own Time
Bree gives birth to her and Roger's daughter, Amanda. When Mandy's still an infant, Claire diagnoses her with a heart defect and says the only way to save her is for the family to go back to the 20th century. In an epilogue, it's revealed Mandy is healthy and the family is living at Lallybroch in 1980.
Will It Make The Cut?
89% Yes
11% No
Why Yes?
"My guess is that this will be how Season 6 ends. They go back so baby Mandy can have heart surgery."
–Maria T., The Outlander Lounge
"Sooo hard to know! But at the end of the day, they have to if we're going to get any Bree/Rog book plots from Season 7."
–Tracey Randinelli, My Outlander Purgatory
"I think Season 6 is too short for this... but being attentive to the behind-the-scenes and details from social, we know Richard Rankin cut his hair. So the MacKenzies will probably be back to the future and thus, we will have Mandy's birth."
–Lorenza V., I Have My Own Path To Follow
"It's just a hunch, but I think Roger and Bree, along with Jemmy and Mandy, will be at least preparing to leave. Leaving it there would be a beautiful segue into the next season."
—Jackie Merrell, Angus' Angels
"Because they've got Season 7 greenlit. And Book 7 has them and their kids fixing up Lallybroch, etc."
–Ginger Wiseman, The Outlander Podcast
Why No?
"Not yet. Maybe Season 7. But maybe Bree will get pregnant and have a baby."
–Tracy Sterling, Outlander Obsessed
If only Outlander fans could time travel to the future to find out if these predictions are right before Season 6 premieres in 2022. Sound off in the comments if you agree or disagree with these expert fans!
These interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.
Images: Starz