Outlander Stars Discuss 'Enemies to Lovers' Romance Heating Up in Final Season

With the eighth and final season of Outlander nearing its midpoint, the stars of the show open up about the slow-burn romance between William and Amaranthus.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:05am

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As Outlander enters the second half of its eighth and final season, the show's stars Charles Vandervaart and Carla Woodcock discuss the 'enemies to lovers' storyline developing between their characters, William and Amaranthus. The two actors describe the initial distrust between the pair that has now blossomed into an undeniable chemistry, with Amaranthus even jokingly proposing marriage to William as a way to secure her future. With time running short before the series finale, fans are eager to see if William and Amaranthus will take their relationship to the next level.

Why it matters

The romance between William and Amaranthus represents a slow-burning storyline that has developed over the course of Outlander's final season, providing a compelling emotional arc for viewers as the show approaches its conclusion. The 'enemies to lovers' dynamic between the two characters also taps into a popular trope in romance storytelling, adding an extra layer of anticipation for fans as they wonder whether the pair will ultimately end up together.

The details

In the latest episode of Outlander, titled 'Muskets, Liberty, and Sauerkraut,' William once again had to confront the truth about his parentage, learning that he is technically the bastard son of Jamie Fraser. This revelation led to a heartfelt conversation between William and his half-sister Brianna, as well as an opening up to Amaranthus, the widow of William's late cousin. Amaranthus provided William with a new perspective on his situation and even suggested they get married, with the actress Carla Woodcock noting that her character was 'joking, but also serious' about the proposal.

  • The eighth and final season of Outlander is nearly halfway over.
  • The Siege of Savannah during the American Revolution began in September 1779.
  • The characters are expected to reach the Battle of Kings Mountain, where Jamie was said to have died, by October 1780.

The players

Charles Vandervaart

The actor who portrays the character of William on Outlander.

Carla Woodcock

The actress who plays the role of Amaranthus, the widow of William's late cousin, on Outlander.

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What they’re saying

“I think right off the bat, William didn't even trust that she was the legitimate wife of his cousin. Like, right away, he thought that this was some kind of scam. And I think that that kind of started off the relationship as a little bit rocky. But who doesn't love an enemies-to-lovers trope?”

— Charles Vandervaart, Actor

“I think with Amaranthus, she's a woman in a world that isn't really built for her, and she's moved in to live with a family that she doesn't really know. So I think she's doing what she can to protect herself and and secure her and her son the best life she can. But as Charles said, the chemistry between Amaranthus and William is really easy, and it's kind of undeniable. So I think she's kind of got the best of both worlds right now. She's found a guy that hits every mark.”

— Carla Woodcock, Actress

What’s next

With just six episodes left in Outlander's final season, fans will have to wait and see if William and Amaranthus' relationship progresses to the next level, such as marriage, before the series concludes.

The takeaway

The slow-burn romance between William and Amaranthus represents a compelling emotional arc in Outlander's final season, tapping into the popular 'enemies to lovers' trope and leaving fans eager to see if the pair will ultimately end up together before the show's conclusion.