WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Outlander season 8, episode 1

Outlander made its comeback last week with the eighth and concluding season, garnering a varied response from viewers, reports the Daily Record.

The premiere episode of the final run was entitled Soul of a Rebel and witnessed Jamie (played by Sam Heughan) and Claire Fraser (Caitríona Balfe) arriving back at Fraser's Ridge, discovering alterations and encountering the mysterious ex-British Redcoat Captain Charles Cunningham (Keiran Bew).

The Outlander season premiere also delivered an emotional reunion when Brianna (Sophie Skelton) and Roger MacKenzie (Richard Rankin) journeyed back through time with their offspring after determining the 20th century posed excessive risks.

Jamie and Claire were astonished to encounter the Mackenzies once more, having assumed they would remain in the future indefinitely.

Yet with the series drawing to a close, numerous viewers are eager to discover whether any throwbacks will occur, including appearances from former cast members and characters, such as Tobias Menzies in his double role as Frank Randall and Captain 'Black Jack' Randall. Here's what we know.

Indeed, that's the straightforward response. Tobias Menzies appears in the episode and receives a guest credit in the opening instalment, verifying his comeback to the series.

Outlander's showrunner Matthew B. Roberts recently told TV Inside: "We had hoped to get Tobias physically, but he was very busy, and his schedule was full, but he graciously was able to do some voice work for us."

Whilst Menzies doesn't make a physical appearance in the episode, his photograph features in Frank's book, The Soul of a Rebel: The Scottish Roots of the American Revolution, which Brianna and Roger transport back from the future.

Jamie is startled upon discovering that Frank and Captain Black Jack bear such a remarkable likeness, questioning Claire about why she never mentioned the extraordinary resemblance between them.

Claire explains there would have been little purpose and that the two individuals were so distinct that she didn't think of Frank when encountering Captain Black Jack.

His voice also appears, with Jamie hearing it in his mind as Frank/Captain Black Jack says: "Is it my face you see looming in the darkness?".

This contribution from Menzies ensures Frank's influence is experienced in the programme, despite the character not being visible on-screen.

Considering Frank and Captain Black Jack's enormous importance during the opening three series, which contributed to establishing Outlander, it's appropriate to have Menzies return in some form.

The actor has also appeared in previous series, even following both Frank and Captain Black Jack's deaths in the third instalment.

Menzies had previously commented on participating in Outlander series eight: "It would be great."

He told TV Line: "[But] no, you will not see me."

Outlander executive producer Maril Davis revealed the production team recognised "early on" that they wanted Menzies to return, disclosing that The Crown performer was "absolutely happy to and thrilled" to participate in the programme once more, even if it was solely in a restricted vocal role.

Outlander season 8 airs on Starz in the USA on Fridays and on MGM+ via Prime Video in the UK on Saturdays

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