Outlander showrunner Ron D. Moore has been the vision leader for this successful STARZ show. Here’s why he may step down after Season 4.
Let me preface this article with a few points right off the top:
- I love me some Ron D. Moore. Ever since his days on Star Trek: The Next Generation — never mind my love affair with his work on one of the greatest shows ever written: Battlestar Galactica — he has been one of my favorite showrunners in the business today.
- I don’t want RDM to step down. He is a premiere “name-brand” showrunner in today’s climate of over-exposed, over-saturated, binge TV that is growing at an ever rapidly increasing rate with less and less talent to run shows competently. In other words, he’s one of the few showrunners in whom I can place my full confidence because he truly knows what he’s doing.#TrustRon
- Ron Moore has not given any indication that he is stepping down publicly. But, if we dive a little deeper, some of his recent quotes and actions with regard to the Outlander series seem to be subtly telling a different story.
So let’s have a look at what makes me think that Ron will be stepping down…
What’s Already Changed: The Facts
Ron already seems to be distancing himself from the minutiae of the show. Here are some examples:
- He doesn’t speak NEARLY as much as he used to on the aftershow interviews. Initially he did the post-show outakes himself. Now he often interviews his fellow producers and writers, Matt B. Roberts and Toni Graphia — when he appears at all.
- “Ronald D. Moore’s Outlander Podcast” changed its name this season to “The Official Outlander Podcast.”
- Ira Steven Behr (Ron’s right hand man, self-proclaimed consigliere and great friend since their days on Star Trek) abruptly left the show before Season 3 production.
- Anne Kenney also left the show, and four reasonably inexperienced writers were brought in to fill out the writers’ room.
- Ron has only one writing credit for Outlander Season 3 — The Battle Joined. In previous seasons, he’s written a total of six episodes. In contrast, Matt Roberts has seen an uptick in his writing AND has been given two of the most important episodes of the season: “A. Malcolm” and the finale (which in the past was usually written by Ron).
- Ron serves as the executive producer for the highly anticipated and well reviewed Phillip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams series on Amazon, has a writing credit on one episode for it, and has been doing a decent amount of press on it.
- Ron has never produced or written on a show for more than five years. We will be coming up on year five of Outlander when Season 5 has to go into production.
These points were obvious even before Variety released its RDM interview in which he described his role in Seasons 3 and 4 like this:
I’m still the showrunner, but a lot of the day-to-day showrunning is done by [executive producers] Matt Roberts and Toni Graphia … I’ve delegated more authority to them. Matt is on the ground a lot in the U.K., and Toni is in charge of the writers’ room. And they both report to me and I still sort of oversee the whole production. But I’m not on the front lines like I was.
I can’t begin to tell you the VOLUMES spoken in this simple statement here by the man himself! He even DOUBLES DOWN by saying:
They’re competent, and good, and smart, and they add different things than I would to the production … you want your people to take on more responsibility, and you want them to grow within the show, and you give them room to do that. Sometimes you just have to be willing to delegate, and not feel like you’re the only one with the answer.
Now delegating in and of itself is not unusual; showrunners simply can’t be everywhere, every day.
For example, Damon Lindelof ran The Leftovers from L.A. But when the show moved from New York in Season 1, to Texas in Season 2, and then to Australia in Season 3, Lindelof’s executive producer/director Mimi Leder ran most of the day-to-day activities. So with regard to RDM and his team, his delegation this season is not as damning as it may sound. But, again, this is another tiny red flag that waves uncontrollably in the back of my brain.
Photo by Karl Walter/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (8967520ad) Ron Moore Battlestar Galactica’ Reunion panel, Comic-Con International, San Diego, USA – 20 Jul 2017
What Could Suggest Change: The Intangibles
- Ron’s comments at San Diego Comic Con 2017:
It’s a transitional season. You know, the franchise kind of pivots from this point because, it’s not really a huge spoiler, but essentially, the show will relocate to the American colonies after this season…Claire and Jamie and their family really do kind of relocate to North America after this season and establish a place called Fraser’s Ridge, which is up in the mountains of North Carolina — and that’s where the rest of the season in the books takes place.
In and of itself, this is a relatively innocuous notation. The show is in transition for Season 3 as it marks the beginning of its “story home” moving from Scotland to the colonies. But a tiny red flag arose when I read his follow-up comments:
So this is a really important year because it’s leaving sort of one setting, traveling literally across the Atlantic Ocean. You know, we went down and shot on the Black Sails ships and sets in South Africa to do that section of the story, and then end up in the Caribbean…it’s been difficult for us because it takes us a long time to shoot the show. It’s very complex logistically. It’s a big period piece that travels and goes to different countries and continents and doesn’t really have standing sets, and it takes us a long time to produce it.
Again, not a overly complex statement: Outlander is a hard show to shoot and it requires a ton of production effort given the period detail, scheduling, budgeting, and the ever-changing set pieces. If, however, one takes a deeper look into what he is saying, what does it portend for our favorite show and its title couple of James and Claire Fraser?
Essentially Moore says the show transitions from being a vast and wide-ranging production to one that has its roots set in a singular space, “Fraser’s Ridge.” Clan Fraser finally settles down and continues their life in the colonies in one place. For the production of the show, this is potentially a seismic shift in how it can be shot.
- A “massive” expansion at Wardpark Studios: By the time season 5 rolls into production, according to BBC News, the privately owned studio where Outlander is shot, produced, edited and based for some of its production and which has four sound stages across 48,000 square feet could add two more stages, a back lot and offices in a 30,000-square-foot development pending local and state approval. Why is this a big deal? Well, it’s no secret that Outlander has almost single-handedly revitalized the film industry of Scotland, so when one reads that it is helping lead to such a big budget increase in studio space, one can only assume that the execs at STARZ, Tall Ship Productions and SONY all intend to take full advantage of their newly minted facility to help lower costs. It behooves the local government, the national government, and the film industry of Scotland in general to approve the financing for it, especially when it was reported that Wardpark was also home to a recent MAJOR production by Disney/Marvel — Avengers: Infinity War. There’s too much money to be made by everyone involved not to approve it.
- The role of a showrunner: If the expansion at Wardpark Studios happens and producing Outlander becomes that much easier, would it not be safe to assume that the complex logistics behind producing Outlander Ron mentioned earlier become easier as well? If you remove the issues with location discovery and maintaining a standing set, isn’t it reasonable to assume that one would not need the fine touch and expertise of a veteran showrunner? Instead, they would just need someone who is well versed in the story who is able to handle a writers’ room. I say this because the title showrunner is relatively amorphous. He or she is kind of like a small business owner. Showrunners are responsible for the direction of the company, advertising, the vision of the employees, the budget, etc. They’re the chief cook and bottle washer. Ron runs the whole deal—the story, the writers, the sets, the tone, marketing, the budget, dealing with the fans—and he has to make it all work within a certain time period in addition to making sure the network is pleased. You need someone who is really good at it to make a MASSIVE show like Outlander work. But if that changed? Maybe not.
- Standing sets: Now, I have not read the books so I have NO IDEA where the story goes, even from where we are in in Outlander Season 3. But if story becomes ensconced in Fraser’s Ridge, it reasons well that Outlander production could finally afford to have standing sets given the predictability of keeping the show located to one setting. As such. the costs would likely go down provided they don’t have to travel like they do when they had to go on location to places like South Africa. Being able to maintain standing sets at a newly expanded Wardpark Studios, and FINALLY be in one space, is a big freaking deal. Because if the costs go down, the production gets easier and the show is more likely to be renewed as long as it maintains decent ratings and subscriptions keep rolling in for STARZ. Unlike broadcast networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS etc., who rely on the funds from advertisers and who therefore care about ratings because they want to make sure their advertised product is actually being seen, subscriptions are key for pay-network television like STARZ, HBO, etc. Yes, ratings matter, but networks like STARZ are beholden to the subscriptions because that’s how they get their money. When income goes up and costs go down, well that’s an effective business model. It also means that you potentially don’t need a showrunner as experienced as Ron.
- Terry Dresbach: The sense I get from Ron’s wife, and head of the costume department, is that she may be growing tired. If her social media account is any indicator of her feelings, she often doesn’t feel appreciated by the fans or feel she’s getting the recognition she deserves from the industry as a whole. Once they get to Fraser’s Ridge, there’s going to be a lot of the same old-same old for costumes for a while, too. Once again, I am just a show watcher so I don’t know what is coming down the road, but Terry is VERY creative and in an entirely singular class in her abilities and talent. So I’m not sold on a basic costume structure holding that much interest to her. My point is, if your wife doesn’t want to do it anymore, that could be a factor in moving on. It feels trite to say, but do we consider applying the the whole happy wife, happy life mantra here?
- Ron’s age. Ron is 53 years old. Now that is not old by any stretch of the imagination. In terms of the TV world, however, the most prolific showrunners (or at least guys and gals I would consider to be on his level) are relatively younger. For example: Damon Lindelof – 44. Vince Gilligan – 50. Shonda Rhimes – 47. The Duffer Brothers – 33. Nic Pizzolatto – 42. David Benioff – 47. D.B Weiss – 46. Greg Berlanti – 45. Marc Guggenheim – 47. Noah Hawley – 49. Bryan Fuller -48. In other words, Ron is on the higher end of the mainstream showrunners.
- The rest of Ron’s career: So, does Ron want to commit what could be the remainder of his professional career to Outlander? Maybe. It doesn’t seem like a bad gig to me—live in Scotland, produce a highly touted show, which also just happens to be the most popular programs on your network and, oh, by the way, remain one of the most powerful showrunners in the business. But, then again, maybe not. The fact remains that in order for him to take advantage of his considerable talent, it seems reasonable that he would want to branch out and explore other material before the job of showrunning just becomes too hard. Can he explore his creative juices AND be an effective showrunner (by effective, I mean to the caliber that he is already established)?
- I don’t think Outlander is going anywhere: Considering that content is not an issue for continuing the series—Diana wrote 8 books and is hard at work on the 9th—STARZ could use this quality original content to compete with the likes of HBO, NETFLIX, SHOWTIME and even AMAZON. Thanks in part to Outlander’s success, subscriptions are up at the network, ratings continue to break internal records each year, and, again, it’s more than likely that costs are probably going to go down for production. If I’m right, then can Ron keep up? Implicit in Ron staying as showrunner of Outlander is that his options become more limited because it means he can’t go all in on just one project. He’d be too busy keeping track of all his projects to carve out his full attention. Even if for a little bit of time.
- The best interest of Outlander: While I love Ron Moore (see top), this question has to be asked: Does Ron, or more importantly, we viewers, even want an Outlander where the showrunner isn’t able to give his full attention to the show because he’s splitting his duties with other projects? Is it a huge deal? Outlander Season 3 is already being considered a relative success in most critic circles in spite of RDM’s involvement in Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams. But Outlander does requires a lot of time, effort and attention-to-detail. Not only that, but Outlander fans (and I include myself in this too) are pretty freakin’ needy. We want it all and we want it now, and we want it our way. We demand a lot from our favorite show, and we should. So is splitting time in Ron’s best interest, and OUR best interest? I don’t know. Again, just something to consider.
I know a lot of this is circumstantial evidence. Nothing here explicitly serves as a smoking gun that he would either leave the show, or that he is even THINKING about leaving the show. That’s why these are intangibles. But something just doesn’t pass the smell test for me here. And so, here’s what I think will actually happen…
My Outlandish Theory:
Outlander WILL BE renewed before Outlander Season 4 concludes because STARZ is starved for good quality content.
Ron will want to move onto to do other projects, but STARZ will demand that he stay on Outlander as an Executive Producer—yes, to keep him involved with the project, but mainly to keep his name in the lights for their advertising purposes. The title is also usually given to those who get a project off the ground and serves as a industry style “thank you” for all their hard work.
Having said that, Ron will leave the show in the hands of his trusted colleagues: his Tall Ship Productions partner Maril Davis, as a producer, his longtime Battlestar Galactica partner Toni Graphia, as a number two, and Matt B. Roberts (who brought the Outlander series to Ron and obviously has the MOST passion for the story), as the new showrunner.
Matt as a showrunner only makes sense. He is passionate about the story, and has clearly taken on a larger producer role within the show (his script writing, location scouting, taking the reins on set, and a larger presence on the podcast/aftershow). You can tell he has a huge on-set and production presence just from his own social media posts. But, even though he has procured plenty of experience, especially in Outlander Season 3, the idea of producing Outlander would become easier for a freshly-minted showrunner like himself with fewer complications due to standing sets and having a true home in the newly expanded Wardpark Studios.
To potentially help ease Matt into a new role as “commander-in-chief,” Ron has already reestablished the writers’ room with plenty of younger and inexperienced writers who have only had Matt as part of the executive decision making process. Matt is young enough that he could take the show all the way to the end. He’d have the helping hand of a trusted confidant of RDM and veteran writer in BSG alum Toni Graphia, and still able to flex his considerable talents on future projects he is passionate about.
It’s a perfect setup: Maril helps take care of the finances and deals with SONY and STARZ as she does with aplomb right now, Toni helps run the writers’ room, and Matt takes care of everything else. Boom.
I know a potential showrunner change sounds like a lot, and if you really love Ron’s work or really love the direction of the show, it can sound scary. I would urge you not to worry about a showrunner change. It’s happened to PLENTY of shows that still saw long and prosperous runs: LOST, Daredevil, The Walking Dead, 24, The West Wing, Veep, Seinfeld, heck even Gilmore Girls.
Another facet to consider here: RDM implies that after Outlander Season 3, and into Outlander Season 4, the story takes a completely different narrative arc as a result of the change in setting. So if he were to leave after season 4, he would have been in charge of the first natural arc of Outlander, and he can make a clean break while handing off the show to Matt for the next natural narrative arc.
Plus, let’s not forget the fact that, in this scenario, Ron would still be on Outlander and remain as an executive producer. He could still watch over the project from afar, keep tabs on it while fulfilling other creative endeavors, and he would still have a say in where the story goes.
If anything, I see Ron’s career following the trajectory of another heavyweight in the showrunning/TV production world: Carlton Cuse. Cuse ran Nash Bridges, but he is most widely acclaimed as the co-showrunner of LOST with Damon Lindelof. But after his run on LOST concluded in 2010, Cuse, who was 52 at the time, dipped his toes in many projects. Since the LOST finale, he has either written on, or executive produced, the likes of Bates Motel, The Returned, Colony, The Strain, Locke and Key, and is currently showrunning Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan on Amazon, which is set to come out next year. Oh, and he even wrote a feature film called San Andreas starring the most powerful star in Hollywood right now: The Rock (aka Dwayne Johnson).
This is why I think Ron ends up leaving—because he can still work on Outlander, but produce any show he wants, write any script he wants, and still leave his Outlander baby in the hands of the trusted associates he has hand picked. To me, a move like this for Ron makes sense, and MARK ME, it’s going to happen.
Do you think Ron Moore will step down as showrunner after Outlander Season 4?
I not only do I think he will step down I think Season 4 will be the last season. I know the story going forward and feel they could easily wrapped it up very nicely.
BTW I do hope we get a season 5 so I hope my thoughts are wrong.
Without knowing the content of season 4 — it’s plausible that the story, as envisioned by Ron, might just be over.
Pardon me, but would you mind expanding on this? Your article is quite comprehensive and contains copious detail that favors Outlander’s story continuing regardless of weather Ron Moore decides to stay on board. The story as envisioned by Ron, might be over? Is that inferring the story could be over PERIOD? And/Or Only Ron’s envisioned portion? Truly, understand your responding to Donna. I’m really not expecting any sort of solid commitment but the wording of your response is somewhat confusing. Appreciate you clarifying further if you would. Thank you
Thanks for looking for clarification 🙂
What I meant was I believe the show will continue after season 4. But if the show does not get renewed by chance, Perhaps there is a possibility that Rons vision for the show may only be for four seasons and thereby the show may only be four seasons long.
Maybe he only wanted to to tell this particular part of the Outlander series?
Again, this is all speculation so I can’t say either way.
Blake, thank you for the clarification. Being there is so much material available from Diana Gabaldon’s books, telling the story only through Season 4 is like “dangling a carrot”. What doesn’t make sense to me is: If impending cancellation was on the docket. 1) Why acquire more property in order to lower cost and raise convenience? 2) Why spend so much time with preparing, perfecting other staff to take over. It just seemed rather contradictory but sometimes one can feed the other. Have high hopes the show will continue. Appreciate your response.
Why speculate and write an article like this in a fandom that will totally lose it if they cancelled?! Why even bring it up? Also, Blake, maybe you should try to read the books, just a thought, because if you think that the story is over after book 4, and assuredly Ronald D. Moore knows there’s much more story to be told. They have to re-sign contracts after filming season 4. The intention was to go all the way, as long as the show has a home. I just think this article is just Blakes’s opinion to get us riled up. Outlander isn’t done. Stay positive Sassenachs and don’t pay attention to this rumor-ish speculative article. It has no real substance. Usually I like this site’s content, but not this one. At all. Creating rumors is so not cool.
Melissa, you’ve raised a good point. Blake was responding to Donna’s comment. She was speculating as well, by sharing her opinion that Ron will step down and Season 4 will be the last season. That being the case, leaving well enough alone would have been the best choice. Speculating is just that, unless it’s taken further, creating undue concern. Believe, your correct about fans “would totally lose it” if they cancelled. Timing is an important factor to consider as well, especially because of controversy among fans about Season 3. His article was very good. It provided comprehensive, informative details. However, what didn’t make sense to me was: If impending cancellation was on the docket. 1) Why acquire more property in order to lower cost and raise convenience? 2) Why spend so much time with preparing, perfecting other staff to take over. IMO, having knowledge of book content is essential. I’ve read other articles, one in particular that came across as very shallow. Thank you for your input.
Just to be clear, I never said the show was going to get canceled. In fact I posited the opposite in the article. I said it was going to be renewed.
The article is not about Outlander being renewed. But, rather, if Ron would continue on as showrunner after season 4.
When asked about why the show could be finished in a comment from a reader, I suggested that Ron may only have had a vision to tell 4 seasons worth of Outlander.
Doesn’t Ron do most of the final editing of the episodes? He’s stated before that that’s where the fun is for him. Maybe he’ll backs off the writing & day-to-day business of the show, but the editor still has a huge impact on the final product. Just my thoughts…and I do hope he stays, Terry stays, and the show continues on because there’s so much more story to tell!
He does have a hand in the editing. Being the showrunner, his hand is on everything. But, I just wonder if he wants to move on to other projects?
I think you are right on the money. Ron and Terry have stepped way back this season. It was quite obvious that Ron’s passion and effort had already shifted dramatically to his new project this season.
I do have one question- why would Matt become shower nervous, rather than Maril? Is Maril also involved in Ron’s other projects? I would be happy wit Matt running the show. I’d hope he’d be able to take part in the editing process, because we are losing a lot of wonderful scenes that are filmed.
I don’t see any reason why Outlander would not be in production for the long haul. It’s gaining viewers, and will become less costly to produce. I’ve been encouraged by what’s been happening, and I have high hopes. I think seasons 5 and 6 are a given. It will get interesting at that point, since Sam and Cait will be at the end of their contracts. They’ve both said they’d like to see the story through. Maybe if production isn’t so exhausting and time consuming, they’d be more willing to sign new contracts. I think they will be more likely to do that if they have time to breathe and stretch with new projects sprinkled in. That’s my hope for them and for us.
I think you get a BAM! for that Outlandish theory, Blake!
Thanks Waverly!! Love the BAM!!
Showrunners tend to also be writers (most often) and Maril is also involved in Tall Ships’ other projects so it would make sense that Matt could be become the showrunner. Production is always exhausting and time consuming regardless of where it shoots and Caitriona and Sam haven’t indicated that they would not renew. Just the opposite, right? Not knowing what happens after Season/Book 3, I think it’s likely they could renew for S5. 🙂
I think if you read the books, you would see what was needed in the future. Yes, it mostly resides on Frasier Ridge, but does flash to Lallybroch for essential parts. The war of 1776 might be filmed at the production sites also.
Thanks for reading. I never thought the show would just be one setting. But, having a homebase in terms of Fraser’s ridge, but more specifically an expanded Wardpark Studios makes life so much easier for production.
And being able to go from the ridge, to lallybroch, should be relatively easy. Seeing that they won’t have to travel to exotic places like they had to do for season 2
I have read all the books, and the location is not just in North Carolina. I won’t spoil it for you, but this show never remains “static” for long! It’s a wild ride thought up by a genius: Diana Gabaldon. She’s just finished book nine and will continue the saga with book ten! We book fans eagerly await her latest contribution to Claire and Jamie’s adventures. Please don’t assume that this fabulous story will end soon. It’s too good to stop! LOL
See my comment right above this one ?
Joy Patrick, Book 9 is not completed yet; in a post just today on FB, Diana herself said she _hopes_ to complete the manuscript by the end of 2018, and then it goes into production mode, so we won’t see it until 2019, unless a miracle occurs. And I don’t think it’s too much of a spoiler to say that in addition to Fraser’s Ridge and Lallybroch, the story happens in Boston, the Cape Fear area of North Carolina, Philadelphia, and various battlefields and small towns in Colonial America (one would expect that with a story that encompasses the Revolutionary War, no?). But all of those could easily be handled at the Wardpark Studio. Just my opinion.
Yes Judith. Makes sense that it could all be filmed in Scotland. Yay! More Outlander locations to visit!
I think you’re right, about both Ron and Terry. The two of them are close, Jamie and Claire close. They have been living on different continents for 4 years. She’s not only very tired, she also misses her family. She misses her kids. And Ron had to convince her to come out of retirement to do this show. If he is backing away, very likely she will back away as well. And she clearly has less patience with with fan criticism than Ron. I’m ok with either Maril or Matt taking over major roles. Both LOVE Outlander, the whole of it. I don’t think 4 is the last season. Sam and Caitriona signed contracts for either 5 or 7 years before it even started.
Sam and cat definitely signed a 7 year contract. That doesn’t mean the show has to fulfill the seven years, but it only means that as long as the show is on, then they are contractually obligated to appear. Of course there are ways around that — see George Clooney on ER
Ron Moore may indeed be spread thin as the show is not an easy one to produce. But pray all obligations are fulfilled and Starz picks up all series through the end.
Great job, well done to the actors and everyone behind the scenes
Ron Moore may indeed be spread thin as I understand the show is not an easy one to produce. But pray all of the series is picked up for all of Diana’s books.
Great job, well done by all of the actors, behind the scenes persons as well as Diana Gabaldon for writing this magnificent set of books.
*Age…Given your age range #5 using 33 as an outlier the median age is 47. Ron at 53 is within the stated range Far removed from the “old man” in the group. Given he is viewed as one of the most powerful show runners in the business Ron has a very long career ahead. If Ron decided to be showrunner to the end of the book series it would not be the last project of his career. However, It would just limit the opportunities to do other projects and also,in this cut throat business, it may remove him out of the loop all together for consideration for other projects. Ron has stated before he doesn’t want to be typecast by doing the same thing as it will hurt his career opportunities & choices. Living in Scotland full time will also make it difficult to keep his hand on the pulse of what is happening in LA for future work & to keep him at the top of his game as the most powerful showrunner.
* I think it’s more about career moves, other interesting projects grabbing his attention , Terry also ready to move on and overall a lack of continued interest in being the OL showrunner for all the reasons you pointed out; location logistics, standing sets, battle scenes etc. changing back to the same as it was in running Episode 1 & 2 just substituting Scotland now for in for New World. For the main part there are a # of repeated main themes/ story elements running through the remainder of the books (Ron has read all the books). The biggest issue is the last book which DG is presently writing to give us the ending to Jamie & Claire’s story.
*There is also the consideration of viewer longevity & ratings & leaving while the show is successful. It’s a good career move no matter the job.
* I think the difficulty is not being the Ol Showrunner but more dealing with fans who are so well versed with every detail of the books & have so many demands of him as to how the shows should be done.
* Keeping Ron’s name as one of the Exec Producers is good for OL Advertising but it also pays well. Ron loves OL as much as fans but it’s his source of income too.
Let’s not forget that Outlander is not the first fandom Ron has dealt with. Remember Star Trek show? I think the fans are taking too much credit for thinking that “dealing” with our expectations makes his job more difficult and therefore less appealing. He has said it himself that he doesn’t pay too much attention to all of the chatter. I agree that he will produce the jobs he wants and his power and caliber of work will lead him to many opportunities. Outlander is one title on his roster. And yes he’s definitely not an “old man” of the showrunner group.
I don’t think I ever suggested he is the old man. My point was that at this juncture in his life, historically major showrunners have chosen to interact with multiple properties at one time as opposed to sticking with a single property.
I think your prediction is very interesting! Almost everything you wrote has come to pass. You have a talent not only for writing, but also for predicting!
I love RDM’s work, so I think Outlander will never be the same without him. Sadly. His talent and hard work is greatly missed!
My hope is that whomever of the 4 people you mentioned: Ron, Maril, Toni, Matt, have read all the books. I know Maril and Matt have. The show does not stay in Fraser’s Ridge, travels between 20th Century and 18th and colonies and Scotland. It spends time in Philly. Then there’s the pre-Revolutionary wars and goes into the Revolutionary war, a lot more war-type fighting, perils for Roger & Bree, change of location for Marseli & Fergus, more sea travel, more time travel info & time traveling. So I can’t see Ron losing interest in this story. And Terry loves these books, knows the stories, and I think she and Jon are very much appreciated. Changes to episodes sometimes makes them better as long as they don’t affect what happens in future books. Other changes are needless.
Thanks for reading! I don’t think he has any lost love for the story. I just think he may not want to dedicate his entire remaining career to the story. He may want to work on other properties to flex his creative muscle and leave the show in the hands of his hand picked staff
Your prediction seems to be correct. Diana, in fact, confirmed in a FB comment recently (link below) that Ron has “stepped back” as show runner for S4 and Ron confirmed in his last Q&A that he broke tradition and didn’t write the S4 premier episode.
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDianaGabaldon/posts/1572729422769888?comment_id=1671119229597983&reply_comment_id=1977277682545750&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R9%22%7D
To Ron, Terry, Maril, Toni, Matt and everyone involved w/Outlander: Follow your passion and do what calls to your heart and your mind. A happy human being following their bliss can only be a good thing. Thanks to everyone for all the JOY Outlander has brought us all, and, with any luck will continue to bring us in the future, in whatever form!
Sound theory and personally agree after hearing comments made by various people involved with the show. I love RDM.
As long as the wonderful writing, production and incredible actors keep up with what is already being done and not too much deviations from the books (I am only just reading Dragonfly in amber) we the viwers should not have anything to worry about.
More than just locations makes a show expensive so if they do less international traveling that doesn’t mean it will be less costly. They already are in one space they just happened to have to travel to Prague and SA because of the stories. Who’s to say that ensuing seasons might have to follow something similar on occasion. “Inexperienced” writers? I don’t think you get on a show like Outlander being that….
It’s a possibility that he moves on after S4 for other opportunities but yes, still retain EP title. Tall Ships would not pull out just because he is no longer Showrunner. Happy to see what everyone brings next on the show if there is a change. Thanks Blake for your thoughts.
If you check the imdb pages of each of the new writers, you will see that Outlander is one of the few writing credits on each of their resumes. Except shannon goss – she has a number of shows under her belt
Well then Sassanach, let’s go over the last four novels. They do NOT all occur on Fraser’s Ridge. Au contrer. We add Brianna, Roger, their kids, modern day 70’s and 80’s back to late 1700’s. Boston, North Carolina, Scotland (Lally Broch …again), Edinburgh again, the Potomac and General Washington, the Revolution, Lord John, William…the list is incredibly inexhaustible ( because Diana is writing a ninth book! Thank God!). Fresh inspiration beyond Ron and his homies ( whom I love and appreciate for bringing Outlander to life outside our minds) will add vim and vigor to the characters and content. Love Ron and looking forward to a long life for Outlander and it’s actors. Slainte mhath!
Thanks for your thoughts . I know the show will take place over more places. My point was that given they have a larger studio space, and they become ensonced in Fraser’s ridge (Ron’s words not mine) that it makes it easier to have standing sets and film the show in one space — as opposed to traveling across the world like they have. Which would save money, and make the show slightly easier to produce and run
Terry basically shot down all of the above in her tweets today. Sorry, Blake!
Thanks for your thoughts . I know the show will take place over more places. My point was that given they have a larger studio space, and they become ensonced in Fraser’s ridge (Ron’s words not mine) that it makes it easier to have standing sets and film the show in one space — as opposed to traveling across the world like they have. Which would save money, and make the show slightly easier to produce and run
Thanks for letting me know Connie! I hope she is right. Would hate to see Ron leave the showrunner position. But again, this is why we call this an Outlandish THEORY
This is all quite complex. I can see Ron Moore moving to other projects. Toni, Matt and Maril appear to be doing an excellent job. I for am enjoying the after comments much more than it was only Ron. Maybe because a woman’s view is sobappreciated or the fact that you can hear Matt’s passion in his commentary. I think Outlander will be around for a while. The final book should be out in about 3 years, if it could continue we could see Diana’s ending as she will write it. I would hate to see this all end like Game of Thrones and not have the book writers final words to work from
Can’t imagine why Ron would step down. Why would he take on such a project and then abandon it?
I’m not positing that he would abandon it. My suggestion is that he would stay on as executive producer so he can work on other projects while leaving the day to day showrunning to his hand picked associates like Matt Roberts, Toni Graphia and Maril Davis
I’m wondering if your Outlandish Theory has resonance in the fact that there hasn’t been an updated podcast to the “Official Outlander” podcast traditionally featuring Ron, Matt and Toni, since “First Wife”? Or am I just missing an update? I do love it, in addition to yours, Blake and Mary.
So Ron wrote the first episode – and let’s make it clear – it was one of the best this season. Looks like Matt and Toni shared most of the next five, and they were all good. The last four have been written by four different writers and they have been all over the place, and I get the feeling they are not even talking to each other. There is no excuse for this. Diana is a master story teller and they have so much to work with. My conclusion is that they aren’t getting much supervision, so Ron please stick around, you’re input is crucial.
Well to say that they aren’t talking to each other and they don’t have any supervision is a little too extreme for me. They have a well established writers room and they confer every day during the writing process. Any writers room does that
But — I will agree the writing on the back half of this season has been less consistent than the front half
Interesting you mentioned that there were new writers in season three. I haven’t enjoyed this season half as much as I enjoyed the first two which I absolutely loved! I was mesmerized by the first two seasons and get lost in them all over again. Season three? Doesn’t compare. Hoping it picks up. I’m still a loyal fan!
See my reply directly above ?
I miss Ann Kenney writing, etc…..why did she leave?
Ron seems tired with the whole thing. Terry would be huge loss though.
Hasn’t been confirmed but I think the unofficial reason is that she was ready to move on to another project. Which is totally normal.
Blake – thanks for a well thought out posting. I found it fascinating. I can definitely see some validity to some of your theories. I do see a slight difference in the production, more from a writing and character development standpoint. It’s not profound but reminds me of when X-Fikes moved from Canada to Los Angeles. Show was still good but just felt different. I’m still enjoying the Outlander journey, but do miss season 1 and 2 and Tobias. Who was amazing!!
Wow love that comparison! Not sure it’s torally apples to apples but really cool thought ?
Blake Larsen, I really don’t think that your comment about “happy wife—happy life “ is true. Forget that it is a highly sexist remark about two professionals so highly regarded in their respective fields, for the many reasons that you yourself proposed, it seems like a very natural pause in the action. The bottom line is the “bottom line”. If production costs go down specifically because the in-house studio’s “ball is rolling”, and if profitability increases, well then, there you have it. As you well know, follow the money.
I LOVE RDM,and ALL the people he mentioned, and I hope he stays until the last DG book,which will be 10,maybe more! Whatever he decides,he’s done a phenomenal job bringing this magnificently difficult story to STARZ! Outlander,by far,supersedes anything on TV today,cable or others! I wish him only the best,whatever he decides to do,and his wife,Terry…pure genius in all the beautiful costuming she’s done on O! Long may OUTLANDER REIGN!??????
Once the story leaves Scotland in Season 4 many fans will be disappointed. .and so will the Scottish Tourism Board. Will they sti ‘ll support the show ? I think that’s why the show may not go past season 4.
Wondering what everyone is thinking now that we are in Season 4 and we know there is a season 5. I haven’t read that Ron Moore is stepping down. I have been checking. I know that season 4 is his wife’s last season. She posted this on Twitter. But can’t find any new info regarding Ron moving on. I for one always love the episodes. I read all the books. But boy people have hated these first two episodes of season 4. So many complaints about everything. Oh well.
I just started Outlander. I’ve avoided it since the beginning, as I was concerned that it would not be true to the vision of Gabaldon’s books.
It has been very depressing to see absurd 21st century sensibilities brought to this story; cheap dramatic moments; fabricated characters that add nothing to the story. I’m not a believer that movies/shows must be exactly like the books they are based on. The media are too different. There is so much that can be done, creatively, in moving from a book to a movie – that enhances the spirit and content of the book.
I’m still in Season 1, and I am just saddened at how poor the series has been. It has not at all the spirit of the books. And then, I noticed Ron D Moore’s name in the opening credits. Surely not the Ron D Moore of Lost and Battlestar Galactica, I thought… surely not. But oh, yes, indeed.
I loved Battlestar Galactica and Lost – they are genius. But Ron D Moore was not and is not the right “vision” for this series and that shows in every episode. You cannot bring the 21st century into this story – hackneyed moments of (melo)drama and family dynamics that have no place in it. And to see “Claire Fraser” weeping, whining, and crying heartbrokenly in every other episode is just nauseating. That is not who that character is. And I attribute these grostesque missteps to Ron D Moore. He does not “get it.” He can’t. It is not in him. This is not the series for him. I f there ever was a 21 C and beyond showrunner, it is Ron D Moore. But distorting history and culture to bring cheap thrills to 21st C watchers is just pathetic. It’s awful. Don’t bring us down tot he level of this century. Use this amazing visual medium to make the story better and more real, not more palatable.
I hope Moore steps down from this series and never goes near it again.