It’s been a few years since Battlestar Galactica showrunner Ronald D. Moore had a series on the air, but he’s now poised to be behind not one but two shows on television.  Moore is an executive producer on the upcoming Syfy series Helix, and now Starz has ordered to series Moore’s adaptation of the Diana Gabaldon book series Outlander.  Described as spanning the genres of romance, science-fiction, history, and adventure in one tale, Outlander follows a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously transported back in time to 1743 where she is forced to marry a romantic young Scottish warrior.

Production on the 16-episode first season will begin in Scotland this fall, with the show poised to air on Starz next year.  Moore will write the series himself and will serve as executive producer alongside Jim Kohlberg.  Gabaldon’s series currently spans seven novels with an eight to be released later this year, so Moore is definitely not at a lack for source material.  Starz is geting pretty heavy into the period series game, as it recently renewed Da Vinci's Demons for a second season and has the pirate drama Black Sails and the miniseries The White Queen on tap.  Hit the jump to read the press release.

Here’s the press release:

Beverly Hills, Calif., June 25, 2013 – Starz Chief Executive Officer, Chris Albrecht, announced today that Starz will partner with Sony Pictures Television to greenlight “Outlander,” an original series adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international bestselling books. The network has ordered 16 episodes of the series which will begin filming in Scotland this fall. It is slated to premiere in 2014.

The series adaptation for “Outlander” will be written by Ronald D. Moore (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”). Moore is best known for his work on “Battlestar Galactica,” which won him a Peabody Award in 2006. Ronald D. Moore and Jim Kohlberg are executive producers of “Outlander,” which is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining and Supply Company and Left Bank Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television.

"We are thrilled to be bringing 'Outlander' to Starz next year," said Chris Albrecht, CEO of Starz.  "Diana has created an incredibly compelling heroine, thrust into a very complex world, not to mention, time.  The books weave a fascinating tapestry of history, spirituality, love and honor, not to mention plenty of time travel, sex and warfare.  With Diana's stories guiding us and Ron's mastery, we hope to bring Claire and Jamie to life for the millions of fans the world over."

Moore added, “I'm very excited to have the opportunity to bring these books to life.  Diana's created a rich and textured world filled with intriguing characters, and I believe that Starz is the perfect home for her story.  I think we'll make something that the millions of fans of these books will enjoy and recognize as ‘Outlander.’"

Diana Gabaldon’s seven-book series has sold more than 20 million copies and has graced the New York Times best-sellers list six times. The eighth installment of the “Outlander” series is slated to be released in the fall of 2013.

The “Outlander” series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history, and adventure in one grandiose tale. It follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Starz will retain all domestic multiplatform pay TV rights to the original series.