Starz’ August 2014 premiere introduced viewers to Claire Randall, a combat nurse ( Caitriona balfe), as she is swept back to 1945 and 1793. She meets Jamie Fraser, a brave Scottish warrior (Sam Heughan), and other Outlander characters. The drama series, which was based on Diana Gabaldon’s 13-book franchise — followed Claire’s time-travelling adventures around the globe.
“Claire, a woman from the ’40s , was the reason I did a lot research on nurses who served on the frontlines in the Second World War,” the Belfastactress spoke to UPI in September 2014 about her portrayal of the literary heroine. “I came across some wonderful books that provided first-hand accounts. I also met with a herbalist, and Diana’s book was kind of the bible to us all.”
Balfe said that she and Balfe had talked about “What Claire’s life would have been like if she hadn’t gone through these stones?”… I strongly believe that she wouldn’t be happy if they moved to Oxford, where he was a teacher and she was a stay-at home wife with a hobby. She wouldn’t have survived in that situation, I think. In a strange way, she was able to be the best version possible of herself because of this. She is primarily focused on survival in the first season, and in the first book. But, I believe that as the story continues, you see her become more confident and self-sufficient.
Claire and her daughter Brianna (played Sophie Skelton), both have the ability to travel time, but not all characters can experience the same timeline.
Jamie doesn’t possess [the ability], certain people that it can passed through generations can but certain people cannot,” Balfe stated during a December 2017 appearance at U.K’s The Morning.
Although the Men In Kilts alum has maintained his character, he has been able to experience other settings. Season 5 saw Jamie and Claire shipwrecked on their return to home. This brought them to Revolutionary War-era America.
It was a fantastic storyline for me as an actor. It was a difficult decision for me and my character,” Heughan said in May 2020, about his fifth season. I had a lot to do with the symbolism and the redcoat. It was difficult to shoot it. Jamie lost Murtagh (played by Duncan lacroix) and we had to do a lot of reshoots. It was wonderful to have the director and writer’s ears, to work closely together to get the best from the story.
Scotland 1945
Claire and Frank Randall live in post-World War I Scotland.
Scotland 1743
Season 1: Claire is brought back by Jamie for the first-time.
France 1744
Jamie and Claire narrowly escaped Black Jack Randall, Menzies. The duo fled to France with Jacobite allies.
Scotland 1764
Season 3 was the first season. Claire and Jamie had been separated almost 20 years since Jamie served his time at Helwater as a traitor.
Boston 1954
Claire and Jamie were separated, but Claire raised Brianna with Frank in Boston, after having traveled back to the future.
America 1767
Jamie and Claire tried to travel from Jamaica to Scotland in season 4 but were stopped by a sudden shipwreck that forced them to seek refuge at colonial America.
America 1771
Redcoats are on the horizon! Season 5 featured the Fraser’s Ridge residents in America during the Revolutionary War.