Outlander 2026: Why we can't stop talking about Claire, Jamie – and Mitsubishi
Make no mistake about it right now: Outlander fever hasn't just taken hold – it's smashing records. For us here in New Zealand, where we hold a special place in our hearts for epic storytelling and dramatic landscapes, this Scottish highland romance has become something of an institution. But 2026 isn't just the year we finally say goodbye to Claire and Jamie. It's the year the universe expands, and – if we look to the roads – an amber-coloured legend also celebrates 25 years. We're talking, of course, about the other big Outlander news: the Mitsubishi Outlander.
A farewell in every sense: The final season is here
It's been just over ten years since we first saw Caitríona Balfe step through the standing stones and into Sam Heughan's arms. Now, in March 2026, the eighth and absolutely final season is rolling out. And you can't miss the emotion. Balfe herself has hinted it feels like leaving a quarter of her life behind – a journey so transformative it's almost hard to grasp that it's over. For those of us who've followed them through war, infidelity, time travel and countless trials, the promise of a dramatic finale is both daunting and enticing.
Rumours have been rife in the weeks leading up to the premiere. Word has it the team behind the series even shot multiple different endings to stop the truth from leaking early. That means not even the actors themselves knew how the journey would end until they saw the finished product on screen. One thing's for sure though: threads left dangling since the very first episode – like Jamie's ghost in the modern era – are finally set to get their explanation.
"Blood of My Blood" and the future of the franchise
Just when we thought the lights were going out, it turns out they were only being switched on in another room. The prequel series Outlander: Blood of My Blood has already become a hit with critics and viewers alike. The series, which explores the parents of Claire and Jamie during WWI and 18th-century Scotland respectively, has shown the universe still has more to give.
And it doesn't stop there. Those in the know confirm that conversations are already underway for more spin-offs. For the die-hard fan, that's pure gold. Maybe it's finally time for Lord John Grey to get his own adventure? Now that the main series is finishing, the door is wide open to explore the supporting characters we've grown to love.
- Outlander season 8: Airing now (premiered in early March) and it's the definitive finale.
- Outlander: Blood of My Blood: Season one is out now – and a second season has already been confirmed by the top brass.
- What's next: A Lord John Grey spin-off or entirely new characters? We're eagerly waiting for official announcements.
Mitsubishi Outlander turns 25 – with a luxury limited edition
Let's step out of the TV lounge for a moment and into the great outdoors. Because at the same time Claire and Jamie are gearing up for their final fight, a completely different Outlander is celebrating a major milestone on the other side of the world. The Mitsubishi Outlander, the SUV that's been a trusty fixture in many driveways since its debut in 2001 (originally under the name Airtrek), is turning 25. To mark the occasion, Mitsubishi is releasing an extremely exclusive Edition 25 – in a run of only 10 cars according to the latest reports from the automotive world.
This is a seriously specced-up machine. Mitsubishi has fitted the car with unique 20-inch wheels, given it a darker, tougher front end, and spruced up the interior with a Yamaha Premium sound system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and memory leather seats. Under the bonnet sits the same trusty 2.5-litre petrol engine as usual, but the appeal here is mainly the exclusivity. It's not just a cash-grab anniversary gimmick; it's more of a collector's car for those wanting the absolute best of the best.
In other parts of the world, like Australia, they're simultaneously rolling out an Outlander LS Black Edition with blacked-out trim. And in Taiwan, there are big plans to launch a completely new generation with a 1.5-litre turbo engine and plug-in hybrid tech. The message is clear: the Mitsubishi Outlander is far from retired. Just like its namesake from the telly, it has many chapters left to write.
Two worlds colliding in time
So why are we writing about both in the same breath? Because 2026 feels like a turning point for everything bearing the Outlander name. One represents an era drawing to a close after twelve years of drama and swordplay; the other celebrates 25 years of technical development and off-road capability. It's as if Jamie Fraser himself stepped out of the screen and got behind the wheel of a modern SUV – ready for new adventures.
For us Kiwi viewers, who love both dramatic stories and reliable vehicles for our gravel roads, it's a perfect symbiosis. Whether you're currently crying to the finale's soundtrack or eyeing up a Mitsubishi Outlander for the next family holiday, you're part of the same clan. And considering those running the show are already planning the next generation of spin-offs, the journey is far from over. Outlander lives on – in more ways than one.