It stars Caitríona Balfe as Claire Randall, a former World War II military nurse in Scotland who, in 1945, finds herself transported back in time to 1743.

[5][2]In 1945, Claire Randall, who had formerly served as a nurse in the British Army during the Second World War, and her husband Frank are visiting Inverness, Scotland, when she is carried back in time to 1743 by the standing stones at Craigh na Dun (in what is now Tay Forest Park).

He struggles to balance keeping his godfather safe and fulfilling his duties to the Crown, especially under the eye of Lieutenant Knox, who is determined to find and kill Murtagh.

Despite Murtagh's pleas for Jocasta to return his love for her, she moves forward with her fourth marriage, choosing the safety and security of her plantation's future over his idealism.

Meanwhile, Roger and Bree's relationship is put to the test as there are signs of Stephen Bonnet's reappearance, forcing Brianna to take matters into her own hands when she is captured by him.

The political unrest in the colonies begins to boil over and the Frasers (Jamie and Claire) and the MacKenzies (Roger and Brianna), try to peacefully live on their isolated homestead in the foothills of North Carolina.

Trouble continues with the Browns as they form a committee of safety that threatens the peace on the ridge, driving a wedge between the Native Americans, the colonists, and the Frasers.

The season ends with a huge amount of unrest involving the Browns and the Christies as Jamie and Claire's grip on Fraser's Ridge becomes ever more fragile.

The first part premiered in June 2023 with the storyline featuring the Frasers caught up in the American Revolutionary War prior to heading back to Scotland.

[7] In July 2012, it was reported that Sony Pictures Television had secured the rights to Gabaldon's Outlander series, with Moore attached to develop the project and Jim Kohlberg (Story Mining and Supply Co) producing.

[12] Starz CEO Chris Albrecht later said that he had green-lit several genre projects, including Outlander, to shift the network's series development toward "audiences that were being underserved" to "drive a real fervent fan base that then becomes the kind of advocacy group for the shows themselves".

[13] Calling it "a different kind of show than has ever been on, in my memory", Albrecht believed that Outlander's combination of fantasy, action, a strong central romance, and a feminist focus would set it apart.

[40] In December 2013, Simon Callow was cast in the supporting role of Duke of Sandringham,[41][42] and Entertainment Weekly reported in April 2014 that Steven Cree would portray Ian Murray.

[48] In June 2015, the series cast Andrew Gower as the Jacobite pretender Prince Charles Edward Stuart;[49] Robert Cavanah as Jamie's Scottish cousin Jared, a wine merchant and Jacobite living in Paris;[50] Margaux Châtelier as Annalise de Marillac, Jamie's French ex-lover;[51] and Laurence Dobiesz as Alex Randall, Black Jack's younger–and gentler–brother.

[52] Other cast added for season 2 include Romann Berrux as the French pickpocket Fergus,[49] Rosie Day as the baronet's daughter Mary Hawkins,[53] Stanley Weber as Le Comte St. Germain,[54] Dominique Pinon as healer Master Raymond,[49] Marc Duret as French Minister of Finance Joseph Duverney,[51] Frances de la Tour as Mother Hildegarde,[55] and Audrey Brisson as Sister Angelique.

[58] Richard Rankin was cast as Roger Wakefield in December 2015,[59] while Sophie Skelton was chosen to portray Brianna Randall, Claire and Jamie's daughter, in January 2016.

Maria Doyle Kennedy was cast as Jamie's aunt, Jocasta and Ed Speleers as Stephen Bonnet, an Irish pirate and smuggler.

[71] In May 2022, it was announced that Canadian actor Charles Vandervaart had been cast to play William Ransom, Jamie's son who was raised by Lord John Grey since season three.

[72] In October 2022, it was confirmed that Graham McTavish, Nell Hudson, Steven Cree and Lotte Verbeek would reprise their roles in the seventh season.

[76] The Cumbernauld studios were used for on set filming, with location shoots taking place at Doune Castle, Stirling; mills in East Linton, East Lothian; Newtonmore in the Scottish Highlands; Rothiemurchus Forest, Aviemore; quarries near Bathgate, West Lothian and Aberfoyle, Stirling,[44] as well as Linlithgow Palace,[77] Loch Rannoch in the Highlands and Falkland and Culross in Fife.

[83] Locations included Kinloch Rannoch (for Craigh na Dun), the Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church in Paisley, The Hermitage, Dunkeld in Perthshire and Milne Woods in Bridge of Allan.

[108] In the United Kingdom, it was acquired by Amazon Prime Video, where it premiered on March 26, 2015[109][110] In April 2015, The Herald reported that emails leaked in the Sony Pictures Entertainment hack suggested that the broadcast delay in the UK may have been due to sensitivity about the September 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

The website's critical consensus reads: "Outlander is a unique, satisfying adaptation of its source material, brought to life by lush scenery and potent chemistry between its leads".

Club gave the first six episodes an A, writing that it "does for 1743 Scotland what Downton Abbey does for 1912 England" and adding that "Outlander succeeds admirably ... it refuses to sit comfortably in any genre.

"[124] Euan Ferguson of The Observer called it "gorgeous drivel"[125] and Thomas Batten of The Guardian stated "If you love the scenery, shifting allegiances and palace intrigue of [Game of Thrones], but find yourself wishing the pace were a little slower and that the sex scenes were filmed in a more pretentious manner with lots of slow pans and softer lighting, here's your show.

"[126] Graeme Virtue noted "the rather languid pace of the opening episodes", but praised the show's "rare acknowledgment of the female gaze" in its treatment of sex scenes.

[127] The Daily Telegraph also made the Game of Thrones comparison,[128] while The Independent stated "...yes, it's a time-travelling, wish-fulfilment fantasy, but it's done with such flair and attention to detail that it's impossible not to hop on board for the ride.

The website consensus reads: "Outlander returns for a second addictive season of mystery and sweeping romance as Claire and Jamie take on Paris.

The website consensus reads: "Outlander's epic romance settles into a violent fourth season, planting its flag on the American frontier while treading on darker themes.

The website consensus reads: "Outlander's romantic ardor doesn't burn as bright in this fifth season, but the Frasers remain an enthralling pair as they try to forge a home together.