WARNING: This article contains spoilers from the Outlander novels
At the outset of Outlander season seven, Roger MacKenzie (played by Richard Rankin) and his wife Brianna (Sophie Skelton) made the heart-wrenching decision to return to the 20th century.
This was prompted by Claire Fraser’s (Caitríona Balfe) discovery that Mandy, Brianna’s daughter, had a heart defect that she couldn’t treat in their current time period. As a result, Roger, Brianna, their son Jemmy, and newborn Mandy journeyed back to the modern day to seek medical help for Mandy.
Their departure dealt a devastating blow to both Claire and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), as it felt like their family was being torn apart. However, fans are left wondering if this is the end for the family or if the MacKenzies and Frasers will be reunited once more.
Those familiar with the Outlander novels will know that Roger and Brianna do indeed return to the past. They enjoy their lives in the 20th century, complete with all its modern conveniences such as flushing toilets, electricity, and running water.
Yet, as time travellers, their destinies seem to be inextricably linked with the Frasers, reports the Express US. After facing numerous dangers in the present, the MacKenzies decide to return to the past, which appears to be marginally safer than their current lives.
In the latest Outlander novel, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, aficionados were treated to the narrative of Roger and Brianna choosing to return to their kin amidst the burgeoning American Revolutionary War. With the confirmation that season eight will mark the end of the revered series Outlander, it’s left fans pondering whether elements from the ultimate two books in the saga will be adapted on screen.
Viewers are eagerly waiting to see if key moments from the final novels will be intertwined within the last chapters of the series, potentially leading to a reappearance of Brianna and Roger.
Another highly-anticipated detail yet to be unravelled is the mystery behind Jamie’s ghost. After hints in the seventh season flagged Jamie’s uncharted gifts, including premonitory dreams, curiosity amongst fans has only intensified.
Further whetting appetites was a snippet previously shared online featuring a candid exchange between co-stars Richard Rankin and Sophie Skelton with their fellow leads Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan discussing farewells between the Frasers and MacKenzies. In the vignette, Heughan comments: “So, this is the last time we get to work together.”
Rankin, probing further, asks: “Yeah. Is that sad or a relief?”
Following Heughan’s farewell gesture, Skelton humorously notes: “Look how happy you two look about it.”
Rankin added: “I kinda feel like they have looked after us.”
Skelton warmly reflected on their time filming, hinting through the video that Roger and Brianna might stay in the future, at least for the show’s seventh season. However, the final series could potentially see them making a return.
Outlander is streaming on MGM+ via Prime Video now