Time-Traveling 'Outlander' Characters: Jaw-Dropping Photos Unveiled!

Throughout its run, the TV series Outlander has taken viewers to different eras and locations. The story follows Claire Randall, a combat nurse who is transported from 1945 to 1793 Scotland. It is there that she encounters Jamie Fraser, a brave Scottish warrior, and other memorable characters from the Outlander universe. Over the course of the series, which is based on Diana Gabaldon's popular book franchise, Claire's time-traveling adventures take her to various parts of the world.

Claire, being a woman of the 1940s, required extensive research on the experiences of nurses on the front lines during World War II. In September 2014, the actress from Belfast shared with UPI her preparations for portraying this literary heroine. She delved into books that offered firsthand accounts of that era and even had the opportunity to meet with an herbalist. Additionally, she emphasized the significance of Diana's book as a guiding force for the entire production.

During that time, Balfe also reflected on Claire's potential life if she hadn't traveled through time. It was her belief that Claire would not have found happiness in a conventional role as a stay-at-home wife in Oxford while her husband pursued his teaching career. Balfe argued that Claire's survival instincts and desire for personal growth would have been stifled in such circumstances. Paradoxically, the time travel aspect of the story allowed Claire to evolve into the best version of herself. Initially focused on mere survival in the first season and book, Claire's character gradually expands her horizons and develops into a remarkably strong and self-assured woman, capable of engaging with the world at large.

Not all characters in the series possess the gene for time-traveling, including Jamie Fraser (portrayed by Sam Heughan), who does not have this ability. According to actress Caitriona Balfe, who plays Claire Fraser, the gene can be passed down through generations for some individuals, while others are unable to experience different timelines.

During season 5 of the show, the character played by the Men in Kilts alum remained in the past timeline but had the opportunity to explore various settings. One particular storyline that stood out was when Jamie and Claire found themselves shipwrecked during their journey back home, transporting them to Revolutionary War-era America. This storyline continued into season 6.

Heughan, the actor who portrays Jamie, expressed his enthusiasm for this storyline in an interview with Elle in May 2020. He mentioned how it provided both him and the character with a compelling and dramatic decision to make. Heughan also discussed his involvement in shaping the symbolic representation of the redcoat, as well as his input in certain scenes that required additional attention for Jamie's character development. He emphasized the collaborative nature of working closely with the writer and director to ensure the story's impact was maximized, particularly when it came to reshooting scenes involving Jamie's loss of Murtagh Fraser, played by Duncan Lacroix.

Scroll below to see photos of the Outlander characters throughout the different time periods and settings:

Credit: Starz!/Kobal/Shutterstock

'Outlander' Characters Travel Through Time to Different Eras: See Photos

In the course of its run, Outlander has taken its characters on a journey to different eras and locations. From 18th century Scotland to 20th century America, Claire Randall and the Fraser family have experienced new times and places.

Premiering in August 2014, this Starz drama introduced viewers to Claire Randall, a combat nurse who is unexpectedly transported from 1945 to 1793. It is in this era that she encounters the honorable Scottish warrior, Jamie Fraser, and the other beloved characters from the Outlander universe. Over the years, the series, which is based on Diana Gabaldon's extensive 13-book franchise, has depicted Claire's adventures in time travel across various parts of the world.

“Claire's character is deeply rooted in the 1940s, so I dedicated a significant amount of time to researching the experiences of nurses who served on the front lines during World War II," shared the actress from Belfast in September 2014 when discussing her portrayal of the literary heroine. "I came across some remarkable books that provided firsthand accounts of those times, and I also had the opportunity to meet with an herbalist. Additionally, Diana's book served as a guiding force for all of us involved in the project."

At that time, Balfe delved deeper into her insights: "We had many discussions about what Claire's life might have been like if she hadn't traveled through the stones. I firmly believe that she wouldn't have found happiness if they had settled in Oxford and her husband had pursued his teaching career while she became a conventional housewife with only a side hobby. I don't think she would have thrived in that role. So, in a strange way, this extraordinary journey allowed her to become the best version of herself. In the first season and the initial book, her primary focus is survival. However, as the story unfolds, we witness her expanding her horizons, embracing the world, and transforming into an incredibly resilient and self-assured woman."

Not all characters in the series possess the ability to experience different timelines, unlike Claire and her daughter Brianna (played by Sophie Skelton) who have inherited the time-traveling gene. Jamie, for instance, does not possess this ability. According to Balfe, the time-traveling gene can be passed down through generations for some individuals, while others simply do not have it.

During the course of season 5, Jamie and Claire find themselves shipwrecked while traveling back home, leading them to the America of the Revolutionary War. Despite Jamie's character remaining in the past timeline, he is able to explore different settings. This storyline provided a compelling opportunity for Heughan as an actor, as it presented both him and his character with a significant and dramatic decision to make. Heughan explained in an interview with Elle in May 2020 that he had a considerable influence on the symbolism of the redcoat in the show. Throughout the shooting process, he had to assert himself and request additional time for Jamie's character, particularly during the reshoots following the loss of Murtagh Fraser, played by Duncan Lacroix. Collaborating closely with the writer and director allowed Heughan to ensure the story was portrayed in the best possible way.

Scroll below to see photos of the Outlander characters throughout the different time periods and settings:

Credit: Starz/YouTube

Scotland 1945

The drama begins with Claire living in post-World War I Scotland with her husband Frank Randall (Tobias Menzies).

Credit: Starz/YouTube

Scotland 1743

During season 1, Claire is transported back for the first time and she meets Jamie on the battlefield.

Credit: Starz/YouTube

France 1744

After Jamie and Claire narrowly escaped Black Jack Randall (Menzies), the duo sought refuge in France with the Jacobite allies in season 2.

Credit: Aimee Spinks/Hbo/Kobal/Shutterstock

Scotland 1764

When season 3 picked up, Jamie and Claire had been separated for nearly 20 years after he served time at Helwater for being labeled a traitor.

Credit: Starz/YouTube

Boston 1954

While separated from Jamie, Claire raised their daughter, Brianna, with Frank in Boston after traveling back to the future.

Credit: Starz/YouTube

America 1767

While Jamie and Claire attempted to travel from Jamaica back to Scotland in season 4, a sudden shipwreck forced them to seek refuge in colonial America.

Credit: Starz/YouTube

Scotland 1971

Just like her mother, Brianna also has the ability to travel through time. Although she and her husband Roger Wakefield (portrayed by Richard Rankin) initially met in the future, they eventually decided to live in the past in order to raise their son, Jeremy.

Credit: Starz!/Kobal/Shutterstock

America 1771

The redcoats are coming! Throughout season 5, viewers saw the Fraser’s Ridge residents living in America during the Revolutionary War.

Credit: Robert Wilson/Starz

North Carolina 1773-1776

The majority of season 6 takes place in North America during the Revolutionary War, apart from two flashbacks to Scotland in 1746 and 1753.