Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan will be back for two more seasons of Outlander (hurrah), but the stars have revealed they'll be taking a slightly longer break than usual before returning for season five.

"We have an extended hiatus, we have about seven months off," Caitriona told Digital Spy at last night's BAFTA TV Awards.

The lead actors of Starz's adaptation of Diana Gabaldon's best-selling novels also revealed they were surprised about the show's recent double renewal.

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"We kind of hoped that we would get a season 5, we weren't really expecting them to pick up both together, so that's really exciting," the actress added.

On what fans can expect from season four, Caitriona teased: "It's a whole new world, because we are in America...

"It's Colonial times, it's pre-revolution, Claire and Jamie are settlers in a new land."

Sam added: "There's a lot that we've had to squash into one season, so it's jam-packed."

Starz

On how long the show could run, Caitriona continued: "I don't know... six seasons is an incredible run as it is, but I think Diana has a few more books [planned] so we'll see."

Sam added: "We've got a bit of life in us yet! They're gonna keep wheeling us out... so we'll make it!"

The pair presented the Specialist Factual award to David Shulman and Janet Lee for BBC Two's documentary Basquiat – Rage to Riches at the ceremony held at the Royal Festival Hall. It beat stiff competition from Sir David Attenborough's Blue Planet II – which went on to win the Must See Moment prize.

Season 4 of Outlander has been confirmed to air in November.

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