Ronald D. Moore was supposed to have a green light to make whatever he wanted after creating Battlestar Galactica. However, the scribe has had trouble getting a follow up to the critical acclaimed Sci-Fi series. Right after Battlestar ended Moore attempted to launch Caprica.
Caprica was a prequel to Battlestar that aired on SyFy in 2010. The show dropped the spaceship fights of Battlestar for a more personal take on a Sci-Fi adventure. Unfortunately, Moore's show failed to catch on with viewers and was canceled during its first season.
The series was an interesting take on Sci-Fi and critics appreciated its not-so action packed styling. Caprica was a good example of Moore's ability to write genre fare that resonates with modern times. So it's fortunate that Moore will have another shot at a Sci-Fi epic with Outlander.
According to Deadline, the Starz channel has green lit a 16 episode order for Moore to lead production on the series. Outlander is based on a best-selling series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. The books follow the story of WWII combat nurse named Claire who accidentally times travels to the year 1743.
The book series is currently on its seventh title. An eighth book in the series is expected to come out sometime this autumn. The Outlander book series has sold over 20 million copies over the course of its lifespan. No word yet on potential casting for the series.
Production on the show will begin this October. The show will shoot in Scotland this winter. Moore has also brought on former Battlestar writers Toni Graphia and Matt Roberts to work on the show.
The series adds to an already busy slate for Moore. The writer is currently working on Helix for the SyFy channel. The show follows a group of scientists who unearth something potentially world-changing in the Artic. Helix is expected to premiere later this year.
Moore is also currently writing a sequel to the Will Smith film I, Robot. The film will be Moore's second theatrical screenplay. Moore received a story by credit for his work on the screenplay for Mission Impossible 2.