'Outlander' Star Sam Heughan Reflects on What He'd Tell His Younger Self

In celebration of 10 years of Outlander, Sam Heughan took part in PaleyFest New York 2024 as he and fellow castmates—Caitríona Balfe, Sophie Skelton, Richard Rankin and John Bell, as well as executive producer Maril Davis—teased what is to come when the second half of Season 7 ends the Droughtlander on Nov. 22.

But first, Parade got an exclusive moment on the red carpet with the hot Scot, who plays series star Jamie Fraser, to reminisce a bit about what he would tell his first-season self.

“[I would tell my first season self] that it's going to be a journey,” Heughan says. “When we first started, I think I told my driver Davey Stewart … He asked me on the first day, ‘How long do you think this will last?’ I said, ‘A season maybe two,’ and now 11 years— eight seasons—later, what a journey it has been. So, maybe, I don't know, sleep a little more, take more holidays, enjoy it. I wouldn't change anything. It's been incredible.”

Related: Outlander Season 7 Part 2 Unveils Key Art & Trailer

When Outlander returns, Jamie, Claire (Balfe) and Young Ian (Bell) have just arrived in Scotland where they return to Lallybroch, as Jamie had promised his sister Jenny (now played by Kristin Atherton) he would return her son to her.

Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan<p>Courtesy: STARZ</p>
Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan

Courtesy: STARZ

There’s a lot of business that Jamie needs to take care of in Scotland, and so he has to stay behind when Claire receives a letter from Lord John (David Berry) that his nephew was wounded in battle and she is the only one who can save him. Claire and Young Ian board a ship, leaving Jamie behind in Scotland and return to Philadelphia, where she performs the lifesaving surgery and then gets swept up in the events of the American Revolution, which puts her safety in jeopardy, even as she receives some tragic news.

Related: Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe Tease Outlander Season 7 Part 2

Also, when Outlander returns, Roger and Brianna face new enemies across time, and must battle the forces that threaten to pull their family apart as Roger searches for Jem back in time.

The second half of Outlander Season 7, based on the bestselling novels by Diana Gabaldon, is set to premiere on Friday, Nov. 22 at midnight ET on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms. On linear, it will debut on STARZ on Friday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT in the U.S.

Next, Everything We Know So Far About Outlander's 8th and Final Season