That’s right, friends. I’m getting myself all excited for the television adaptation of one of my very favorite book series, Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. Don’t remind me that I don’t get Starz, the network airing this amazing show. This is not a time to dwell on the negative. Because let’s just focus on something right now: OUTLANDER IS GOING TO BE ON TV. *dies*
So, if you follow me on Twitter you might know that I LOOOOOOVE this series. It pushes so many of my fangirl buttons: Scotland, historical fiction, clans, romance, time travel, gingers, SCOTTISH gingers who could charm the habit off a nun. SIGH. My hopes for this show are through the roof.
I suppose I’ll begin by giving you a little background of my history with this series. I read the first book a few years ago. Couldn’t tell you where I first heard of it, but I went to Borders (BORDERS! RIP) and tried to find a copy and it took me forever because it was shelved in the Romance section. I bought it, DEVOURED IT, and then went back to Borders a few days later to buy whatever other books they had on the shelves, and I ordered the rest from Amazon. I read books 1 through 5 in a few weeks and then had to wait a year or so for book 6 to come out.
Book covers! Also, heads up, WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD isn’t out yet.
I became basically instantly obsessed. I adored the historical fiction angle. That was always one of my favorite genres to read–still is–and Diana Gabaldon does an excellent job making 18th century Scotland come to life. Clan life especially was fascinating to me. But the characters are what really stood out to me, and are what makes the series one of my favorites to this day.
Fast forward to just a few months ago when I heard that Starz was turning these books into a TV SERIES and that the guy behind Battlestar Galactica (!!) was producing it and OMG I died. I flailed and squealed and died. This is on par with the excitement I felt when I first heard they were making a Game of Thrones TV show. This excitement increased BAZILLION-FOLD when they cast Jamie Fraser, hands down, for real, one of the greatest male leads EVER: Sam Heughan. Check him and his ginger hotness over on the right there. But don’t worry; better pictures below! And trust me. He’s DELISH.
The show has already begun shooting–YAY! IT’S REAL!–and I have to say, I’m pretty stoked about who they cast as Jamie and Claire. Jamie we have discussed, but the actress playing Claire is kind of perfect. She looks pretty much exactly the way I pictured her in my mind.
Friends, full disclosure: There’s very little that could make me NOT excited for this show. I’m ready for it to be on now.
In Which Jamie Fraser’s Kilt (KILT!) Is Too Long
DAMN STRAIGHT.
What is up there, oh James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser!? YOU ARE HOT AND I LOVE YOU.
So you better excuse me while *I* fangirl. And oh yes, I don’t have Starz either. I shall live vicariously through…someone else. And pictures, wherever I can find them.
Also let it be known that I am still experiencing the hangover from the ending of the first book and although I have the next few, I haven’t gone on. I have been known to wait YEARS between long books because of such bookish hangovers. I am okay with this and also I AM AFRAID. This shouldn’t surprise you one bit.
Gah I MISS these books. I am so so long overdue for a re-read. I have SUCH high hopes for the show. I still can’t even believe it’s really happening!!!
I have to confess, I have never read these books but I’ve heard such fantastic things about them. I actually was going to get the first one from the library and there were about a million holds and I was wondering why until I heard about the TV show. Then it made sense. I definitely have to start reading these!
When does this start on Starz?! I need to read this series.
AMY I KNOW.
I know. I will.