It will be a while before the new episodes of "Outlander" arrive, but readers of Diana Gabaldon's fourth novel "Drums of Autumns," where season 4 will be based on, know what and who to expect when the series returns. It may, of course, leave some things out, but there are some safe bets that will likely make it to the small screen.
According to reports, the show is getting a brand-new villain in "Outlander" season 4 with Stephen Bonnet who will be played by "Downton Abbey" star Ed Speleers. A pirate, smuggler, and all-round disreputable character, he is expected to replace Tobias Menzie's villainous Black Jack Randall who died at the season 3 premiere following the climactic Battle of Culloden.
Another new face fans will meet is Jamie's maternal aunt, Jocasta, also known as Dougal's (Graham McTavish) and Colum's (Gary Lewis) younger sister. Maria Doyle Kennedy of "Orphan Black" is portraying the role, as confirmed this past October.
There is also Rollo, the half-wolf that young Ian (John Bell) won in a card game in Charleston, which will be played by two Northern Inuit puppies.
Plot-wise, reports reveal one of the highlights of the book is Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Brianna's (Sophie Skelton) meeting. Claire's (Caitriona Balfe) daughter goes through the stones and travels back in time alongside Roger (Richard Rankin) to join her parents in the 18<sup>th century. They bump into a grown-up Willie, the son of Jamie now raised by John Grey (David Berry), suggesting he will reappear in the series as well. Of course, all these will take place in America.
There is not much known about the series' take on "Drums and Autumns," but showrunner Matthew B. Roberts says the idea of home is going to be important for Jamie and Claire next season.
"Over the last three seasons, Jamie and Claire didn't know where they are going to live," he explained to Entertainment Weekly. "They never plant their feet. Now they're getting to that place that they can call home. But the meaning of home is different for people. That's what we will dig into in Season 4."
