Starz is actively pushing forward with new, edgy live-action series,  following the critical acclaim they received from ‘Spartacus’.  ‘DaVinci’s Demons’ is getting bigger and longer in its second season.  Now they are adding another new series, ‘Outlander’, based on Diana Gabalon’s bestselling novel series.  This epic adventure series follows the adventures of Claire Randall (played by Caitriona Balfe), a married war nurse in 1945, who gets transported backward in time to 1743, separating her from her slightly estranged husband.  Once in the past, however, she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser and she finds herself torn between her loyalty to her husband… well, the first one, and this new warrior.

The network has released the first photo of romantic lead Jamie Fraser, as portrayed by Scottish actor Sam Heughan.  Check it out below:

The show is currently shooting on location in Scottland and is set to begin airing sometime in 2014, but an exact air date has not yet been announced.  The first season will be comprised of 16 episodes, which is a pretty big number so Starz clearly has faith in this series. (The success of other shows like ‘Game Of Thrones’ and even ‘Downton Abbey’ have surely given this show a boost.)

The cast will be filled out by

  • Tobias Menzies as Frank/Jonathan Randall
  • Graham McTavish as Dougal MacKenzie
  • Gary Lewis as Colum MacKenzie
  • Annette Badland as Mrs Fitzgibbons
  • Stephen Walters as Anghus Mhor
  • Laura Donnelly as Janet Fraser Murray (Jenny)
  • Lotte Verbeek as Geillis Duncan
  • James Fleet as Rev. Dr. Reginald Wakefield
  • Duncan Lacroix as Murtagh Fraser
  • Roderick Gilkison as Hamish MacKenzie

Ronald D. Moore (‘Battlestar Galactica‘, ‘Helix‘) and Jim Kohlberg are executive producers of “Outlander,” which is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining & Supply Company and Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Are you a fan of the books?  If so, do you think the show can live up to the source material?

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