‘Outlander’ Season 3 Spoilers: Lord John Grey Plays Major Role in Jamie’s Life; Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan Excited to Film in South Africa

‘Outlander’ season 3 is set to return on Starz sometime in 2017 and will feature Lord John Grey more prominently as he plays a major role in Jamie’s life. Meanwhile, Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan expressed their excitement to film in South Africa as well as the new stories in the series.

According to Inquisitr, David Berry’s fan favorite Lord John William Grey will play an important role in Jamie’s life following Claire’s return to the 20th century. Berry’s character has a significant role in Diana Gabaldon’s novels of the same name.

Lord John William Grey had an upper-class upbringing but a murder scandal that erupted following his 12th birthday tainted his family’s reputation. Immediately after his father’s death, he was sent to Scotland to stay with his mother’s family to avoid the scandal where he resigned to serve as governor of an isolated prison.

John first encountered Jamie in the Carryarick Pass, where he attempted to kill the Highlander but failed. John pronounced a debt of honor between them when Jamie let him live. He doesn’t meet Jamie again until he is appointed the new governor of Ardsmuir Prison, where Jamie is held as a captive of war.

Season 3 is currently in production. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight on-set in Scotland, Balfe and Heughan expressed their enthusiasm for the incoming season. Balfe and Heughan play lead protagonists Claire Beauchamp Randall/Fraser and James “Jamie” MacKenzie Fraser, respectively.

Balfe admitted, "I'm really looking forward to filming in South Africa… I'm really looking forward to that part of the story and also being in a new place. It's going to be fun."

Heughan added, "And for people to see [the new season]… I'm really proud of this season so far. I think it's been very strong and different and the stories are great, so I'm excited for the fans to see it."

Season 3’s production will take cast and crew to various exotic locations including South Africa, which is set to double for Jamaica at times. Writer and executive producer Matthew B. Roberts also confirmed the location when he took the time to answer various questions posted on social media, according to Cartermatt.

When asked if he was heading to Africa, Roberts tweeted in reply, “Yes, I'll be in South Africa the whole time...” When asked about his favorite episode in the incoming season, he replied, “We have some amazing Eps "in the can - finished" (and more to come) -- I truly can't wait for you to see them. #Outlander.”

Roberts also revealed that he helped create the series’ opening credits and that he wrote two episodes as well as co-wrote an episode for season 3.

‘Outlander’ season 3 is scheduled to air on Starz sometime in 2017, presumably on April. It was renewed last June 2016 along with season 4.