Inside the Steamy Second Season of Starz’s Outlander

When Outlander returns on Saturday, April 9 fans will find themselves a long way from 18th century Scotland, the setting for (most of) Season 1. “It’s a completely different show in look and feel,” executive producer Ronald D. Moore says of the sophomore season. “We’re in Paris, with gilded candelabras, tapestries, the French aristocracy, the court of Louis the XV in Versailles. And there are lots of dark forces [at work].” Starz’s romantic time-traveling drama will still feature its trademark action, romance and intrigue, but the show’s swoon-worthy lead characters, Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) will face new challenges both political and personal. “The plotting [to provoke historical change] doesn’t bring out the best sides of Claire and Jamie,” Balfe says. “They are playing duplicitous roles, befriending people and using that information. Their honeymoon is over.”

Also in this issue:

• TV’s Hottest Couples: Claire and Jamie aren’t the only dynamic duos steaming up TV. From The Walking Dead’s #Richonne to Arrow’s #Olicity, there’s plenty to keep our pulses racing.

• Garry Shandling: Senior critic Matt Roush pays tribute to the groundbreaking comedian.

• American Idol: As the iconic reality competition gets ready to sing its final note, we look back on 15 seasons of a TV phenomenon.

• Confirmation: Kerry Washington—who knows a thing or two about scandal—stars as Anita Hill in HBO’s dramatization of the 1991 Senate battle over Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.

• Madam Secretary: Erich Bergen and Patina Miller take us on a behind-the-scenes tour of their CBS Beltway drama.

• The Real Housewives of Dallas: Meet the larger-than-life cast of Bravo’s newest edition to the reality franchise.

• Plus: Fear the Walking Dead, Little Big Shots, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., House of Lies, General Hospital’s Jane Elliot and more.