Outlander is a series ofhistoricalfantasy novels by American authorDiana Gabaldon.[1] Gabaldon began the first volume of the series,Outlander, in the late 1980s, and it was published in 1991.[2] She has published nine out of a planned ten volumes.[3] The ninth novel in the series,Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, was released on November 23, 2021.[4]
TheOutlander series focuses on 20th-century British nurseClaire Randall, who time travels to 18th-centuryScotland and finds adventure and romance with the dashingHighland warriorJamie Fraser. The books have sold over 50 million copies worldwide as of 2021.[5]
In May 2025, Gabaldon said on social media that the tenth novel, which she has suggested could be the final one in the series,[3][19] would be titledA Blessing for a Warrior Going Out.[20]
TheOutlander series has been released in both unabridged (read byDavina Porter) and abridged audiobooks (read byGeraldine James). Several of theLord John books have been released inaudiobook form, read by Jeff Woodman.
"A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows" (2010), a short story in the anthologySongs of Love and Death, later collected inA Trail of Fire (2012),[21] andSeven Stones to Stand or Fall (2017). It tells the WWII story of Roger MacKenzie Wakefield's parents Jerry and Dolly, as Jerry discovers for himself the mystery of the stones.[22][23][24][25][26]
"The Space Between" (2013), a novella in the anthologyThe Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination, later collected inA Trail of Fire (2012),[21] andSeven Stones to Stand or Fall (2017). It chronicles a journey undertaken by Joan MacKimmie (Jamie Fraser's step-daughter) and Michael Murray (Jenny Fraser Murray's son).[27]
"Virgins" (2013), a novella in the anthologyDangerous Women,[28][29][30][31] later available as a standalonee-book,[32] and collected inSeven Stones to Stand or Fall (2017). Set in 1740 France, it introduces 19-year-old Jamie Fraser as he and his 20-year-old friend Ian Murray become young mercenaries.[28][29][30][31]
"Past Prologue" (2017), a short story published in the anthologyMatchUp. It is written as a collaboration bySteve Berry and Diana Gabaldon, in a story that crosses over their two fictional universes, with Cotton Malone from Berry's novels meeting Jamie Fraser.
"A Fugitive Green" (2017), a novella published in the Gabaldon collectionSeven Stones to Stand or Fall. It featuresHal Grey, brother ofLord John Grey, and his future wife Minerva.
TheLord John series is a sequence of novels and shorter works that center onLord John Grey, a recurring secondary character from theOutlander novels. The spin-off series consists of five novellas and three novels, which all take place between 1756 and 1761, during the events of Gabaldon'sVoyager.[6][7] They can be generally categorized ashistorical mysteries, and the three novels are shorter and focus on fewer plot threads than the mainOutlander books.[7] Several of theLord John books have been released in audiobook form, read by Jeff Woodman.
The Outlandish Companion (1999), a guide to theOutlander series containing synopses, a character guide, and other notes and information; revised and updated asThe Outlandish Companion (Volume One) (2015)[33]
The Outlandish Companion (Volume Two) (2015)[34][35]
Gabaldon was inspired by theDoctor Who characterJamie McCrimmon to set her series in Jacobite Scotland, and to name its protagonist Jamie.[36]
This character wore a kilt, which I thought rather fetching, and demonstrated—in this particular episode—a form of pigheaded male gallantry that I've always found endearing: the strong urge on the part of a man to protect a woman, even though he may realize that she's plainly capable of looking after herself.[37]
Frazer Hines, who played McCrimmon, appears in an episode of the first season of the television seriesOutlander.[38]
In 2010, a 14-song cycle based onOutlander was released under the titleOutlander: The Musical.[13] With music by Kevin Walsh and lyrics by Mike Gibb, the project was approved by Gabaldon after Gibb had approached the author in Scotland with the idea to adapt her novel into a stage production.[14] As Gabaldon recalled, "I laughed and said, 'That’s the screwiest idea I’ve heard yet – go ahead.' So they did, and the results were stunning."[14] Though the stage production remains in development,[14] the 14-song cycle is available on CD fromAmazon.com and for download oniTunes.[13][39][40]
In 2012,Broadway composerJill Santoriello began collaborating with Gibb and Walsh on the project, writing the music and cowriting the lyrics with Gibb for a new song called "One More Time."[15][40] The song was recorded with vocals by Rebecca Robbins.[15][40]
In June 2013,Starz ordered 16 episodes of atelevision adaptation, and production began in October 2013 in Scotland.[41] The series premiered in the US on August 9, 2014, withCaitríona Balfe andSam Heughan starring as Claire and Jamie.[8] It was picked up for a second season on August 15, 2014,[9] and for a third and fourth season on June 1, 2016.[42] On May 9, 2018, Starz renewed the series for a fifth and sixth season.[43] Further renewals for seventh and eighth seasons were announced in early 2021 and late 2022 respectively.[44][45]
In January 2023, Starz greenlighted a 10-episode prequel series,Outlander: Blood of My Blood, based on Jamie's parents. Gabaldon will be an executive producer.[45]
^abMartin, George R. R. (January 23, 2013)."Not A Blog: A Dangerous Delivery". GRRM.livejournal.com. Archived fromthe original on January 25, 2013. RetrievedJanuary 23, 2013.For those who like to lose themselves in long stories, the Brandon Sanderson story, the Diana Gabaldon story, the Caroline Spector story, and myPrincess and Queen are novellas.
