Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan and more share their best tips on how fans can prepare for the April 4 return with ETonline.
Outlander fans, the wait is almost over!
After more than six months of waiting, Starz’s sexy time-travel saga finally returns April 4 for the final eight episodes of its rookie season. If you thought the first half was mind-blowing, you’re in for a real treat.
RELATED: 6 Reasons Why the 'Outlander' Gang Is Absolutely Perfect
But before we get into that, the Outlander stars and creative team are totally on your side in regards to the insanely long wait! So naturally, we at ETonline had to ask them for their best tips on how you can get through your Outlander withdrawal. We’re almost there, folks!
“It’s been really hard,” Sam Heughan jokingly admits. “I don’t know how you’ve coped – I haven’t!”
Caitriona Balfe has a tip that may help curb fans’ impatience: With a week still left to go, get those Outlander-themed parties in order!
“That’s a good time to start planning parties for the premiere episode. Make some postcards. Start brewing your own wine or whiskey!” she suggests.
WATCH: Why Is 'Outlander' Star Caitriona Balfe Still Intimidated by Claire?
Author Diana Gabaldon, who serves as a consultant on the show, urged everyone to “go out for ice cream” – sure, why not? She cautions, however, that rereading the book may not be the best idea. “It may just make you hungrier to see what happens on-screen in the next bit,” she explains.
Heughan has a far more practical suggestion: Re-watch the first eight episodes “just so it’s fresh in your mind.” “Why is Black Jack on the table with Claire? What’s going on? And why does Murtagh still have such a huge beard?” he says, joking about that last question.
Outlander swings into action with a back-half that is far more visceral and affecting than you can ever expect, beginning with a return episode that’s told almost entirely from Jamie’s point of view – a welcomed departure for the series.
“I’m very excited for [fans] to see the first episode. That’s pretty intense and I think it’s really nice the way Jamie has taken over some of the duties that Claire used to have,” Balfe explains, pointing to the final episodes of the season as especially “intense” and “dark.”
“Fans will enjoy the fact that there’s a big variety,” executive producer Ron Moore says. “The story is going to take some unexpected twists and turns and it builds to a climax that’s dark and interesting and psychologically deep.”
“Fans are going to enjoy the ride they’re about to go on,” he adds.
Are you counting down the days until the return of Outlander? What are you most looking forward to seeing? Tell us by tweeting Philiana Ng at @insidethetube on Twitter!
Outlander returns April 4 at 9 p.m. on Starz.
Caitriona Balfe is perfect as Claire on Outlander, so why does she still feel "intimidated" by her character? Find out in the behind-the-scenes clip below!