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Hunky Nostradamus
Outlander is an adaptation of the wildly popular 'Outlander' series by Diana Gabaldon. Published in 1991, the first book in the series (which currently consists of eight novels and 11 novellas) focuses on 20th century nurse Claire Randall, who time travels to 18th century Scotland and finds adventure and romance with the dashing James Fraser. Said to be a mix of several genres, the Outlander series features elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and science fiction/fantasy.
Outlander was adapted for television by Ronald D. Moore, best known for his 2003 reimagining of Battlestar Galactica. Bear McCreary composed the score.
The first season will cover the first book, 'Outlander', and will consist of 16 episodes, with the first 8 airing this fall and the second 8 airing in the spring.
Book spoilers should be properly labeled and tagged. Please keep future book spoilers to a minimum.
Outlander 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, 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.
Cast
- The quick-witted, stubborn but lovely, English Claire Randall, is a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743.
- Armed with sheer grit and enduring strength, Jamie is a strapping young Scottish clan lord with a complicated past and a disarming sense of humor.
- Claire's husband in the 20th century, Frank is an intellectual and an academic.
- A Captain in the English Army back in 1743, Jack has been posted in Scotland during a time when rebellion is in the air. As an officer in an occupying army, he’s seen and done terrible and horrific things in the undeclared war in the Highlands.
- The Laird of the MacKenzie clan, Colum is Jamie's maternal uncle and brother to Dougal. Colum suffers from Toulouse-Lautrec Syndrome, a degenerative disease that renders his legs immobile at times, and fills his days with a great amount of pain.
- A skilled and experienced warrior, Dougal is the War Chieftain of Clan MacKenzie. His older brother Colum is the ruling Laird, but Dougal is his loyal right hand and the true muscle.
- The wife of the procurator fiscal, and a good friend to Claire, Geillis’ advanced knowledge of herbs and plants cause many to believe she is a witch. Geillis is a master manipulator, able to get her husband - among others - to bend to her will.
- Mysterious and dark, like a vulture lurking in the background, Murtagh dutifully watches over his godson Jamie. Although a reserved man, he’s a very loyal godfather, and lives his life by a strict a code.
Videos and Articles
Opening Credits
Official Trailer
Disappearance Trailer
Journey Trailer
Behind the Scenes
Book to Series
Fan Gathering
World Premiere Screening Q&A
San Diego Comic-Con 2014 Panel
Time - “The Book Was Better”: Why Readers of TV Adaptations Need to Let Go
NY Times - A Highland Fling Would Not Be Unexpected Here
WSJ - Producer Says New Starz Series ‘Outlander’ Not Easy to Shoot
IBT - 7 Things To Know About Outlander
Reviews
The first six episodes of the Starz drama are a feast for the eyes, and, as is the case with a very different HBO show, "Treme," the way the place is depicted helps convey why its residents care so much about it. Few things on your television this year will look as gorgeous as "Outlander," which makes for a nice contrast to the bloodier fare TV keeps flinging at us.
More things to like: Bear McCreary's music is haunting, yearning and exciting in equal measure; the male leads, Tobias Menzies and Sam Heughan, have undeniable presence, and the show's sincerity of purpose has its winning side as well.
That said, the metabolism on "Outlander" could use a boost.
- Mo Ryan
Ms. Balfe, Mr. Heughan and Tobias Menzies acquit themselves well, sharing the screen with the scenery and costumes and keeping straight faces through all the fantasy-romance conceits. They seem to be having a good time, and if you have a weakness for muskets, accents and the occasional roll in the heather, you probably will too.
- NY Times
It takes a while to build up satisfying dramatic steam, so it may require more patience than some are willing to give.... but there has to be something great about a show that keeps you staring at it episode after episode, waiting for attraction to take its course.
- Wall Street Journal
What makes it just plain good is the escapist fun of a romance told uncommonly well.
- Entertainment Weekly
Promo Photos
Ratings
Episode 1: 720K
Episode 2: 890K
Episode 3: 1.00 million
Episode 4: 854K
Episode 5: 948K
Episode 6: 1.09 million
Episode 7: 1.23 million
Episode 8: 1.41 million
Episode 9: 1.22 million
Episode 10: 860K
Episode 11: 1.1 million
Episode 12: 1.1 million
Episode 13: 1.0 million
Episode 14: 1.1 million
Episode 15: 1.0 million
Episode 16: 981K