Happy birthday, Laura Donnelly: 5 reasons we love Jenny on Outlander

It’s Laura Donnelly’s birthday today and to celebrate, we’re looking at the top five reasons we love Jenny Fraser Murray on Outlander the TV series.

Laura Donnelly brought the character of Jenny to life on the Outlander TV series. To celebrate the actress’ birthday today, I’m taking the time to look at five reasons I fell in love with Jenny as a character on the series.

And yes, it was Donnelly who made me love the character. I’m a show-first fan, so she was my first introduction to this character was through the actress and I loved her immediately. She may have been cold to Claire at first, but I could completely understand why.

Here are five reasons I love Jenny so much (and hope we could have her back if schedules allow).

5. She is protective of her family

Whether it’s her brother, her sister-in-law, her husband, or even her children and grandchildren, Jenny is one of the most protective women on the entire series. And it’s that protectiveness that causes her to be standoffish to some people.

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She doesn’t want to see her family hurt. Despite just giving birth, Jenny went out tracking for Jamie went he was ambushed by the British. She took a risk in hiding Jamie when he was returned home to her from Culloden. She’d risk her own life for the people she loved.

4. She is loyal to family

Jenny isn’t just protective, but she’s also loyal. If you’re one of the people closest to her, she’s going to have your back. There’s no way she would turn against the people she cares about.

We just have to look at when she hid Jamie from the Redcoats after Culloden. The only reason she turned him in was because he asked her to. She remained loyal to Jamie every step of the way.

3. She holds a grudge but not forever

Jenny is one stubborn woman. All Frasers are stubborn on Outlander, so should we really be that surprised? That stubbornness leads to her ability to hold a grudge. When Claire returned from the future, Jenny was angry. I don’t really blame her for sending to Laoghaire considering Jenny had really been left to believe that Claire was dead.

However, when Jenny holds a grudge, it’s not forever. She needs time to get over her own hurt feelings and she will allow others in eventually.

2. She’s someone to talk to

Claire finally found someone that she could open up to in Outlander Seasons 1 and 2. There were some beautiful sisterly moments, and I’m going to miss them if we don’t get Laura Donnelly back (although I completely understand why).

Jenny was someone others could talk to. She’d be honest, but she would also be supportive. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

1. She knows how to run the house

When Jamie was taken away and Brian Fraser died, Jenny was left alone. There was only really one option for her. She had to figure out how to run things. Yes, she had Ian, but she also needed to do things alone and figure out how to be the woman of the house.

That’s exactly what she did. She stepped up after her mom’s death and she managed to keep Lallybroch going. When Claire suggested it, she planted potatoes and managed to see the family and the tenants through the years of famine. This is a woman you want by your side.

What do you love about Jenny in Outlander? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Happy birthday, Laura Donnelly!