Outlander fans were sent into a frenzy by a preview for a passionate romantic storyline coming up in season seven, part two – but it’s not the one you think.
Starz’s popular time-travelling drama follows the sprawling adventures of Claire (played by Caitriona Balfe) across history after she falls in love with Highland warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan).
Their family has continued to expand over the course of the show’s seven seasons so far, with eight more episodes starting next week to continue the epic saga.
One of Outlander viewers’ favourite characters is undoubtedly Young Ian Murray (John Bell), who has become something of a surrogate son for Claire and Jamie.
In the latest outing, he stole a kiss from young Quaker woman Rachel (Izzy Meikle-Small) and fans are desperate for a reunion after he joined the Frasers in Scotland.
A new teaser trailer posted on the show’s official Instagram seems to promise just that following an emotional conversation between Ian and his father, Ian Murray (Steven Cree).
Later scenes reveal Rachel looking after Young Ian’s dog Rollo, who races to meet him when he comes back to America, though the trailer cuts short of revealing the young lovers’ reunion.
The caption for the clip reads: “Raise your hand if you’re anxiously awaiting a safe, blissful Ian and Rachel reunion!”
Fans took to the comments in anticipation, with one Outlander enthusiast exclaiming: “Chills watching this! Cannot wait!!”
“Screaming!!” another said. “Another week until the premier.”
“Young Ian is in my top 3 and deserves a good love story,” someone else wrote, and another agreed: “Love them. Young Ian is one of my fave characters.”
A fifth fan remarked: “Young Ian and Rachel deserve their lovestory so much! Can’t wait!”
However, other fans think a devastating fate could be waiting for the one or both of the pair.
“Young Ian deserves love and happiest!!!(sic)” one person wrote. “So glad for him….
“But at the same time, it feels like some kind of disappointment is lurking! Sure hope I’m wrong!!!!!”
Hopefully, both Young Ian and Rachel manage to make out of Outlander’s most turbulent storyline yet alive as the American Revolution continues.
After the next eight episodes, there’s just one more season of the hit series left, expected to arrive late next year, but the saga will continue with the prequel Outlander: Blood of My Blood, which premieres much sooner.
Outlander season seven part two premieres on Friday, November 22, on MGM+ via Prime Video in the UK and on Starz in the US.