Over 30 years ago, Diana Gabaldon released the first book of her incredibly popular Outlander series. For those of you who don’t know, Outlander is a historical fantasy series that tells an undeniably delicious love story that spans over 200 years, taking readers on a magical and unforgettable ride through Scottish history.
The Plot of Outlander
Beginning in the year 1946, right after World War II, Claire Randall and her husband Frank decide to take a second honeymoon to Scotland in order to rekindle their relationship. While traveling the countryside, Frank teaches Claire all about Scottish history, including taking her on a visit to the traveling stones.
When she forgets something at the stones, Claire goes back on her own to retrieve it, and accidentally travels back in time to the year 1743, closely before the Jacobite Rising. Scared and alone, Claire meets the hunk of a highlander, James Fraser, and the rest is history.
Outlander’s Popularity
According to The Scottish Sun, Gabaldon began writing the first book of the series in 1988. She was inspired by an episode of Doctor Who titled The War Games. There was a companion of the Doctor who was a Scottish man who inspired Gabaldon to create an 18th-century setting and the character of James Fraser.
The first book of the series was published in 1991, selling over 28 million copies. There are nine books in the series as of right now, but the tenth will sadly be the last. As of 2021, the series as a whole has sold over 50 million copies.
In 2014, the series was adapted into a show and aired on Starz. Developed by Ronald D. Moore and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television, the show brought in over 2.3 million views in its opening week. It’s now in its seventh season, with the first half of the episodes being released in June 2023. The second half of the season is expected sometime in November of this year. According to The Economic Times, Outlander was renewed for its last season in January 2023 and is expected to be released mid-to-late 2025.
What Fans Can Expect
But don’t fret! Although Jamie, Claire, and many more characters from the series will be missed, fans can keep their eyes peeled for Outlander: Blood of My Blood. The television series is set to air after the final season of Outlander. According to Digital Spy, the show will tell the story of Jamie’s parents, Ellen and Brian, and how they fell in love. The series will also include Claire’s parents. Hariet Slater and Jamie Roy are cast to play Jamie Fraser’s parents, while Hermoine Corfeild and Jeremy Irvine will play Claire’s parents.
Whether you’re a fan of the books, the television show, or both, it’s evident that Jamie and Claire’s story is full of passion and determination and knows no bounds. It has captured the minds and hearts of many people and will certainly continue to do so.
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