'Outlander' season 2 plot: New season to have a 20-year time jump

Caitriona Balfe as Claire in OutlanderFacebook/ OutlanderTVSeries.starz

After an outstanding first season on Starz, "Outlander" is gearing up for its second season and it has been reported that filming is underway. Season 2 is based on Diana Gabaldon's second book in the "Outlander" series titled "Dragonfly in Amber," and while fans can expect the show to stay true to the novel, there will also be certain deviations to the original story.

One thing that can be expected in season 2 is that there will a 20-year time jump, but fans don't have to worry as there won't be a recast and Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe will continue to play Jaime and Claire. 

In the novels, the time jump happens in "Dragonfly in Amber" and continues onto the third book titled "Voyager." Part of the second book is set in 1968. Here, Claire is now a doctor and a mother to Brianna — her daughter with Jaime. Claire is described as not having aged at all despite having a daughter who is now in her late teens, and Jaime — who remains in the 18th century — has hardly changed, save for a few scars here and there and having a somewhat leaner appearance. 

Speaking to Zap2It, Balfe said that she's looking forward to playing Claire as an older woman.

"I think it'll be fun," said Balfe. "So often it's all chronological and you play the one age. Now I get to play a woman who has a child in her late teens who's gone through this whole life experience. That's going to be really interesting."  

Season 2 is set in France as Jamie and Claire attempt to stop the Jacobite rebellion and change history to prevent the killings at Culloden Moor. Along the way, they meet new characters, some becoming their allies and some becoming their new enemies.

"Outlander" season 2 is slated to premiere in 2016 on Starz.