Who did Diana Gabaldon picture playing Jamie Fraser in Outlander?

Years ago, the Outlander adaptation could have been a movie. Diana Gabaldon immediately had thoughts on who would make a good Jamie Fraser. Could anyone other than Sam Heughan be Jamie?

We all know Sam Heughan as Outlander‘s Jamie Fraser. There is no doubt that he embodies this character. Say what you want about wigs, natural hair and eye color, Heughan has captured the soul of Jamie and becomes him on screen.

But Diana Gabaldon didn’t initially think of him as her leading man. She found him “grotesque” according to E! News and now look at where we are! Instead, she thought of two men to play the character.

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Granted, this was years ago and it was also when the adaptation was going to be a movie instead of a TV series. She wanted either Liam Neeson or Sean Connery.

And I’ve got to admit that as much as I love both, I don’t see either playing Jamie Fraser. Let’s be honest; both are a little too old for the role now. However, 10 years ago, it’s possible that Neeson would have been young enough for Jamie in the first seasons and would have been good for the later seasons. Connery, even then, not so much.

But it just shows how things come about. Heughan and his female co-star Caitriona Balfe certainly weren’t what Diana Gabaldon pictured when it came to her characters. Of course, it’s almost impossible to get the person you imagine in the role — and that’s if there’s even an actor out there that you do image rather than just a made up person! However, we wouldn’t have the series without the two of them.

dark. Next. 25 best Claire and Jamie moments in Outlander Seasons 1-3

Could you see Liam Neeson and Sean Connery as Jamie Fraser? Who did you picture before Sam Heughan was cast? Share your thoughts below.

Outlander continues on Sundays at 8/7c on STARZ.

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