Outlander has become a global TV phenomenon after first airing back in 2014. Before this, it was a best-selling novel series for author Diana Gabaldon, whose tale of star-crossed lovers across time and space captured hearts everywhere. Writer Gabaldon published her first book initially named Cross Stitch back in 1991 with the author going on to publish eight novels by the time Starz premiered its Outlander adaptation.
However, fans may be wondering why it took so long for the epic saga to finally make it onto screens.
There were previous plans to adapt Outlander with Grey’s Anatomy and Knocked Up star Katherine Heigl initially in line to play Claire Fraser (played by Caitriona Balfe) in a feature film which was shelved.
Additionally, the idea to turn Outlander into a TV show was mooted in the 90s to Yorkshire TV by Doctor Who actor Frazer Hines, whose companion character 18th century Highlander Jamie McCrimmon inspired Gabaldon to write Outlander and indeed served as the basis for Highlander Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan).
Hines, 78, said of his introduction to Outlander: “Diana Gabaldon and I – I met her and she told me she was watching me in Doctor Who as Jamie in the kilt and the next day she went to church and told me, ‘All I could think about was your legs and Jamie’s stoic-ness and I had to write a book.’ She sent me a book Cross Stitch, which was the first one.”
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Interestingly, Hines also asked if Jamie Fraser had been named after him given his first name but this was simply a “spooky” coincidence, “in those days the [credits] in the show didn’t show you who played what really”.
Adding: “She could have called him Jamie McDonald but she called him Jamie Fraser.”
Although Hines may have missed out on the chance to play Jamie, he did appear as prison warden Sir Fletcher Gordon of Wentworth Prison in season one.
Hines said the episode was the most-watched instalment of season one, probably down to the “million Doctor Who fans” who tuned in to see his meta appearance.
The star said he’d love to return to Outlander at some point and given how the story covers different periods through time travel and goes from Scotland to America, his character could always pop in the show again.
Along with starring in Doctor Who, Hines has also featured in ITV’s long-running soap Emmerdale, Two Days in the Smoke and BBC medical series Doctors.
According to IMDb, he will next be appearing in Orchid Mood, G.O.D. Tech and The Mild Bunch.
He is also going to be heading off to the States for a fan convention with avid Whovians eager to meet him.
Additionally, Hines is working on a book about his time on Doctor Who which he’s hoping to publish this year to coincide with the science fiction series’ 60th anniversary.
Outlander season 7 will premiere in summer 2023 and seasons 1 to 6 are streaming on Lionsgate+ now