The trailer was released at a major television industry event in Los Angeles on Saturday, in which 2000 fans of the book series were in attendance. Producer Ron Moore was joined by author Diana Gabaldon and the actors who play the shows protagonists, Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) and Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall). Moore revealed that further series are being planned, and that the television series would stay true to the work of author Diana Gabaldon. Diehard fans can watch the Q&A session below (video begins at 1:16:45):

And below, see the latest photo released of one of the most iconic scenes of the Outlander novels. Captain Black Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies) delivers “Red Coat justice” to Jamie Fraser.

For those who missed our previous Outlander coverage, click the links below to find out more:

• Outlander Set for the Small Screen
• Sam Heughan is Outlander’s Jamie Fraser
• ‘Awe Things Outlander

The post First Look: Outlander Trailer appeared first on ScotClans | Scottish Clans.

Sam Heughan

It’s official – Scottish actor Sam Heughan has been cast in the upcoming television adaptation of Outlander. In a statement released yesterday, American cable network Starz confirmed the casting after the news was leaked via Twitter last week.

Heughan will play the role of Jamie Fraser in the drama series based on the international best-selling books by Diana Gabaldon. Adored by fans around the world, the coveted clansman role has been the subject of much speculation since production of the series was confirmed last month. There is still no word on who is set to play female lead Claire Randall.

Reacting to the news, Gabaldon said: “Oh. My. God. That man is a Scot to the bone and Jamie Fraser to the heart. Having seen Sam Heughan not just act, but be Jamie, I feel immensely grateful to the production team for their painstaking attention to the soul of the story and characters.”

Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore said from the very beginning he knew the role would be difficult to cast. “I had no one in mind for the part. I knew that someone would just come into the audition and be Jamie Fraser. And that’s what Sam did.”

Heughan took to Twitter to express his delight at landing the role, tweeting:
He’s going to be in need of the best wig ever to match Jamie’s famous red locks. Filming is set to begin in Scotland in Autumn.

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You can read my previous story on the Outlander television series by clicking here.

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The Outlander series spans the genres of romance, historical fiction and sci-fi, and follows Claire Randall who is transported back to Scotland circa 1743 after she touches part of a stone circle near Inverness. While there, she meets a Clan Mackenzie warrior named Jamie Fraser and is torn between him and her husband back in 1945. Their journey leads them throughout Scotland (including the 1745 Jacobite Rising), France, the West Indies and America. The series currently spans seven books, with an eighth due for release later this year.

The television series is due to begin filming in October in the Highlands, and is slated for broadcast in April 2014. Gabaldon is expected to be a consultant and co-producer, with the entire series masterminded by Battlestar Galactica developer Ron Moore. Gabaldon was inspired to create the central character of Jamie after catching a repeat of a Dr Who episode from the 1960s, in which Frazer Hines played a kilted character of the same name from the same era.

Gabaldon previously said: “That’s where I began, knowing nothing about Scotland or the 18th century, with no plot, no outline, no characters – nothing but the rather vague images conjured up by a man in a kilt.” Meticulous background checks and fact finding missions are incredibly important to Gabaldon’s writing process, saying she feels a large amount of responsibility to her readers and the people of the past to maintain historical accuracy.

Lord Jamie Sempill said Gabaldon’s work captures the highly appealing romantic element of the history of the clans. “I believe (the) series has been instrumental in raising awareness of the clan system which has been beneficial in complementing the hard work done by the clan commissioners to increase their membership in North America”. Lord Sempill invited Gabaldon to The Gathering in 2009, where she was invested as a Lady of the Garrison of the 78th Fraser Highlanders.

Gabaldon also recently visited the Mackenzie seat of Castle Leod, where along with clan chief John Mackenzie the Earl of Cromartie planted a Rowan tree in the grounds. Gabaldon is a guardian of Castle Leod, which is said to be the inspiration for the book’s location of Castle Leoch. The books have developed a loyal fan following, with various companies running ‘Jamie and Claire’ tours of Scotland. Starz also recently announced plans for a series centered around Phillipa Gregory’s War of the Roses trilogy entitled The White Queen.

Diana Gabaldon and the Chief of Clan Mackenzie planting a tree at Castle Leod

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