“Outlander” season 5 is still in its early stages of production. However, based on how season 4 ended, it is safe to assume that Jamie (Sam Heughan) will be facing a very difficult challenge ahead.
Fans may recall that the season 4 finale was a mix of a lovely reunion between Brianna (Sophie Skelton) Roger (Richard Rankin). However, the final sequence introduced one of the main challenges in “Outlander” season 5 — Jamie is ordered by Governor Tryon (Tim Downie) to eliminate Murtagh (Duncan Lacroix).
Earlier in season 4, Jamie swore allegiance to the Redcoats in exchange for 10,000 acres of land where he and Claire (Caitriona Balfe) later built the Fraser’s Ridge. One episode later Jamie found out Murtagh is the leader of the Regulators — a group resisting the British colonial government’s policies. Thus, it set up a very tricky storyline for Jamie in “Outlander” season 5.
Heughan confirmed that this plot is going to be a central arc of “Outlander” season 5. Without spoiling any detail, the actor confirmed that Jamie’s real allegiance is not to the Redcoats. However, blatantly defying Tryon’s orders would also mean ruining the chance of building a home for his family.
“[Jamie’s] made this deal with the Redcoats, the British Army, so he’s actually on the opposite side of the side where his allegiance really is and his loyalty lies,” Heughan told Parade when asked about “Outlander” season 5. “He needs to do it for his family and for his tenants. He has to secure this land and make it a safe place for them.”
Sam and Claire have proven in earlier seasons that they do not mind risking everything to be on the right side of history. However, that was before they were reunited with Bree and are raising a grandchild that could shift the balancing of priorities in “Outlander” season 5.
In the same interview earlier this month, Heughan revealed they have just completed filming two and a half episodes. Season 4’s filming time window took roughly five months ending in April 2018, but the show did not premiere until November 2018. Whereas, filming of “Outlander” season 5 reportedly just began last April making it quite impossible for the show to return this year.
