What do you think?
Rate this book
The Making of Outlander: The Series: The Official Guide to Seasons Three & Four
See how the story of Jamie Fraser and Claire Beauchamp Randall comes to life on the screen with this official, photo-filled companion to the third and fourth seasons of the hit Starz television series based on Diana Gabaldon's bestselling Outlander novels.
From its very first episode, the Outlander TV series transported its viewers back in time, taking us inside Diana Gabaldon's beloved world. From the Scottish Highlands to the courts of Versailles to the shores of America, Jamie and Claire's epic adventure is captured in gorgeous detail.
Now travel even deeper into the world of Outlander with this must-have insider guide from New York Times bestselling author and television critic Tara Bennett. Picking up where The Making of Outlander: Seasons One & Two left off, this lavishly illustrated collectors' item covers seasons three and four, bringing readers behind the scenes and straight onto the set of the show. You'll find exclusive interviews with cast members, including detailed conversations with Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan (on-screen couple and real-life friends), as well as the writers, producers, costume designers, set decorators, technicians, and more whose hard work and cinematic magic bring the world of Outlander to life on the screen.
Every page features gorgeous full-color photographs of the cast, costumes, and set design, including both official cast photography and never-before-seen candids from on set. The Making of Outlander: Seasons Three & Four is the perfect gift for the Sassenach in your life--and the only way to survive a Droughtlander!
From its very first episode, the Outlander TV series transported its viewers back in time, taking us inside Diana Gabaldon's beloved world. From the Scottish Highlands to the courts of Versailles to the shores of America, Jamie and Claire's epic adventure is captured in gorgeous detail.
Now travel even deeper into the world of Outlander with this must-have insider guide from New York Times bestselling author and television critic Tara Bennett. Picking up where The Making of Outlander: Seasons One & Two left off, this lavishly illustrated collectors' item covers seasons three and four, bringing readers behind the scenes and straight onto the set of the show. You'll find exclusive interviews with cast members, including detailed conversations with Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan (on-screen couple and real-life friends), as well as the writers, producers, costume designers, set decorators, technicians, and more whose hard work and cinematic magic bring the world of Outlander to life on the screen.
Every page features gorgeous full-color photographs of the cast, costumes, and set design, including both official cast photography and never-before-seen candids from on set. The Making of Outlander: Seasons Three & Four is the perfect gift for the Sassenach in your life--and the only way to survive a Droughtlander!
217 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2019
49 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Tara Bennett
30 books65 followersTara Bennett (formerly DiLullo) is the author or co-author of 30 official movie and TV companion books including The Story of Marvel Studios:
The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Sons of Anarchy: The Official Companion, The Official Making of Outlander Companions (Seasons 1 - 4), The Lost Encyclopedia, and September's Notebook: A Fringe Companion which was an Amazon Best Book of the Year.
She has also written nearly a thousand interviews and features for print and online publications such as: Total Film, Paste Magazine, IGN, SYFY WIRE, LOST: The Official Magazine, Alias Magazine, 24 Magazine, SCI FI Magazine, WSJSpeakeasy, Fandango/Movies.com, Fancast, Newsarama and VFXWorld.com. She is also the U.S. Editor for the world’s premiere sci-fi/fantasy publication, SFX Magazine.
Tara is also an adjunct professor at Rowan University in New Jersey, teaching Film and Television studies. As part of her curriculum, Bennett utilizes programs such as LOST and 24 to teach her students how to write for television.
The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Sons of Anarchy: The Official Companion, The Official Making of Outlander Companions (Seasons 1 - 4), The Lost Encyclopedia, and September's Notebook: A Fringe Companion which was an Amazon Best Book of the Year.
She has also written nearly a thousand interviews and features for print and online publications such as: Total Film, Paste Magazine, IGN, SYFY WIRE, LOST: The Official Magazine, Alias Magazine, 24 Magazine, SCI FI Magazine, WSJSpeakeasy, Fandango/Movies.com, Fancast, Newsarama and VFXWorld.com. She is also the U.S. Editor for the world’s premiere sci-fi/fantasy publication, SFX Magazine.
Tara is also an adjunct professor at Rowan University in New Jersey, teaching Film and Television studies. As part of her curriculum, Bennett utilizes programs such as LOST and 24 to teach her students how to write for television.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 22, 2023
I loved this! It really makes you appreciate the movies and sensitivity that goes into every scene. I love the books and the show, but this brings it to a new level. Getting an idea of the work, the planning, the actors’
conversations and coordination, etc just makes these shows even better.
I was fascinated to learn that the American scenes were shot in Scotland! I liked that they went to Toronto and had the participation of the land natives.
conversations and coordination, etc just makes these shows even better.
I was fascinated to learn that the American scenes were shot in Scotland! I liked that they went to Toronto and had the participation of the land natives.
March 1, 2024
It was fun reading about how each episode was adapted from the book and why they switched some things up. It was interesting learning how much planning goes into each set, and how they try to think ahead so they can reuse things. The individual character sections were nice too. I wonder if there are plans for another book or two to cover the other seasons?
January 7, 2020
Just wonderful. I love the Outlander book series. I love the Outlander tv series and I always love all the behind the scenes. If you like the little behind the scenes after each episode, you will love this book. You get more from the writers and the directors and you get more from the actors on their characters. It’s just great.
February 12, 2020
I looked at the photos and read of few of the articles, but did not read every word. I do not like what the TV series writers did when they transferred these extremely popular books to the screen. The actors are terrific, the costumes and interiors are wonderful, but the characters and the story lines have been changed. So I loved the photos of the characters in this book.
October 19, 2019
So much more
This is the second book by Tara Bennett about the cinematic journey Outlander has taken from stage to screen. It is full of lots of information and photos and a great companion to the series. Fully recommend it to Outlander fans.
This is the second book by Tara Bennett about the cinematic journey Outlander has taken from stage to screen. It is full of lots of information and photos and a great companion to the series. Fully recommend it to Outlander fans.
August 29, 2020
The Devil is in the Details.
I found it so enriching to learn much more about the individual actors. It has also enhanced my enjoyment of the series to learn about the ‘green screen’ and how it was applied.
It is amazing that Scotland looks so much like North Carolina.
I found it so enriching to learn much more about the individual actors. It has also enhanced my enjoyment of the series to learn about the ‘green screen’ and how it was applied.
It is amazing that Scotland looks so much like North Carolina.
August 20, 2025
Any fans of Outlander, especially those who have read the books and are devoted to the tv series, would love this. Both the book on Seasons one and two and this book on season three and four give an excellent insight into just what work goes into bringing the show alive for the audience. From casting, location scouting, special effects, building sets, costume design and making huge amounts of clothing not only for the main characters but for the extras also, everything takes huge amounts of effort, great skill and absolute determination from dedicated producers, writers, directors, costume designers and camera operatives. Weeks spent in the writing room hashing out the best way to adapt core pieces from the book and which parts of the book need to be left out or changed to make it fit within the tv series, especially with time restraints, weather restraints and a budget are fascinating.
It’s amazing to read how views you become accustomed to are filmed in front of green screens or buildings are a single storey to fit in the right location and the rest is added on by VFX.
Time spent researching the period is extraordinary, with all the smallest details being sought or made to ensure everything is in keeping with the era.
Special focus pages on main characters are lovely to read as well as the interaction between cast members and how they interpret their characters, working extensively to create backstories to bring emotion to their performances.
The peril and dangerous situations they find themselves in, especially in the the rape of Bree, Roger’s time working on Bonnet’s ship and then being given to the Mohawk in a case of mistaken identity, so much careful research was done involving the First Nations, their names, appearance and making everything as authentic as possible - everything is planned with meticulous precision.
The reunion of Claire and Jamie and then of Claire and Bree, Jamie meeting his daughter and of Roger and Bree makes for a mesmerising read of how they took time to build the relationships and make them as real as they can.
As with the first book, the walkthrough of each scene is staggering. The close camaraderie between the cast and crew is without doubt.
I love the colour glossy photos throughout the book.
I am only disappointed that the series wasn’t continued by the publishers. For full on fans of which I’d count myself, following such a guide to each episode is a real treat.
I’d recommend this to all Outlander fans without hesitation.
It’s amazing to read how views you become accustomed to are filmed in front of green screens or buildings are a single storey to fit in the right location and the rest is added on by VFX.
Time spent researching the period is extraordinary, with all the smallest details being sought or made to ensure everything is in keeping with the era.
Special focus pages on main characters are lovely to read as well as the interaction between cast members and how they interpret their characters, working extensively to create backstories to bring emotion to their performances.
The peril and dangerous situations they find themselves in, especially in the the rape of Bree, Roger’s time working on Bonnet’s ship and then being given to the Mohawk in a case of mistaken identity, so much careful research was done involving the First Nations, their names, appearance and making everything as authentic as possible - everything is planned with meticulous precision.
The reunion of Claire and Jamie and then of Claire and Bree, Jamie meeting his daughter and of Roger and Bree makes for a mesmerising read of how they took time to build the relationships and make them as real as they can.
As with the first book, the walkthrough of each scene is staggering. The close camaraderie between the cast and crew is without doubt.
I love the colour glossy photos throughout the book.
I am only disappointed that the series wasn’t continued by the publishers. For full on fans of which I’d count myself, following such a guide to each episode is a real treat.
I’d recommend this to all Outlander fans without hesitation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2024
Once again, so much of this is available information to fans via articles, interviews and features that exist. I read to get info on costume design and it was fine.
2 stars because honestly there are many parts of this that show how ill-prepared this team was to tackle the sensitive topics in these seasons.
2 stars because honestly there are many parts of this that show how ill-prepared this team was to tackle the sensitive topics in these seasons.
December 4, 2019
So much better than social media fawning and tidbits. I’m glad to know this production is in such good spirits. A tremendous relief that at least some gigantic complex endeavors are being done by people with heart and artistic drive. Thank the Lord.
December 5, 2019
Just a good escape from impeachment news. It is quite impressive to learn how much research is done, the logistics, the authenticity of clothing, furnishings, housing, sets needs to take place for the filming.
October 17, 2019
I always find these kinds of behind the scenes books fascinating. The costumes, the sets, all of how it goes together to produce what we finally see on the screen. This one does nt disappoint.
December 22, 2019
A door to the inner world of making Outlander, this book is a welcome read, especially during these times of droughtlander.
January 24, 2020
I still love this show. I have to get back to reading the novels.
January 30, 2020
A delightful and informative treat for Outlander fans. Thanks to my husband for the autographed copy!
September 1, 2020
Recommend you read this if you love Outlander
Very interesting how they put everything together. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and Didn't realize how much goes into each production.
Very interesting how they put everything together. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and Didn't realize how much goes into each production.
September 9, 2020
Good photos and really nice to have interviews with the designers.
January 30, 2022
I have watched all episodes of Outlander. However, this guide was only mildly amusing.
February 9, 2023
Behind the Scenes from the Point of View of the Actors
Get to know many of the actors, their background and how they developed the character they play episodes 3 and 4.
Get to know many of the actors, their background and how they developed the character they play episodes 3 and 4.
August 7, 2023
The perfect companion to the series, so wish they had continued for the ongoing seasons. Loved all the stories of the various character's development.
July 9, 2023
Really enjoyable quick read for fans of the show - great insight into characters, storylines, and the technical shoots. It was great to get insights from main players, such as the actors and directors. Looking forward to the next one.
December 27, 2019
Fantastic
Omg, this is fantastic! I loved it! Being a HUGE Outlander fan, (really, who isn't?), this book takes you into series 3 & 4 with the ins and outs, the behind the scenes, wardrobes, characters, sets, it is fantastic! It is so interesting to see how they make shows so historically correct but also relevant to the audience. I read it and re-read it. I have the kindle and book version of seasons 1 & 2 and will definitely get the book of this one. I cannot wait to get the next book but it will take seasons 5 & 6 to get it done, so a long wait but it is worth it. This is a book that belongs in your shelf right beside the Outlander series. A remarkable book that you can read over and over again. 👍 AAA+++
Omg, this is fantastic! I loved it! Being a HUGE Outlander fan, (really, who isn't?), this book takes you into series 3 & 4 with the ins and outs, the behind the scenes, wardrobes, characters, sets, it is fantastic! It is so interesting to see how they make shows so historically correct but also relevant to the audience. I read it and re-read it. I have the kindle and book version of seasons 1 & 2 and will definitely get the book of this one. I cannot wait to get the next book but it will take seasons 5 & 6 to get it done, so a long wait but it is worth it. This is a book that belongs in your shelf right beside the Outlander series. A remarkable book that you can read over and over again. 👍 AAA+++
January 12, 2021
Tara was given in-depth access to the cast and crew for both her books (seasons 1 & 2 and this one), and it shows on the pages. Interesting, infuriating (when as a viewer I read about specific episodes which fell short, to me, and the reasons are clearly listed), and beautifully presented, with gorgeous photography.
January 16, 2020
Fastastic book, covering 2 seasons of the Outlander TV show. Everything from sets, locations and costume to cast and characters.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews