Outlander bosses share poignant Jamie Fraser detail that fans may not know

Daily Record

02-05-2025

Outlander's makers opened up on the Highlander
The creative minds behind the hit historical fantasy series Outlander have divulged some lesser-known facts about the show's beloved character Jamie Fraser, portrayed by Sam Heughan, reports the Express.
Executive producer Ronald D. Moore and costume designer Terry Dresbach recently shared insights into the significance of Jamie's kilt within the Starz series.
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Dresbach remarked: "A lot of people are asking me about the kilt and its significance when he wears it.
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"Really, there's no deep, hidden meaning in where we put it." she continued.
On the Official Outlander Podcast, she elaborated: "We always knew we wanted Sam to go in and out of his kilt, it's just questioning what scene is the most appropriate."
She also discussed how in the second season, the Frasers' time in France was a period of representing Scotland rather than England, which was reflected in Jamie's attire, including one coat with a special motif.
Dresbach explained: "I thought how wonderful it would be to do a stag hunt, something very, very Jamie and very Scottish.
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"It was important to us at this event, Jamie could really feel like Jamie.
"And Sam really loved the idea when I showed him this coat. I showed him this coat and just really lost it. It's a gorgeous piece."
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In a conversation with Moore, when asked why Jamie donned a kilt during his visit to Versailles, Dresbach responded: "Because, again this was a place where we felt it was appropriate for him to be really very Scottish. Again, like the coat.
"We wanted to have him really represent his country here, the way an ambassador from another country would.
"They're going there not as the English, they're going there as the Scottish."
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The controversial scene involved Jamie challenging his adversary Captain 'Black Jack' Randall to a duel at the lavish Versailles gardens.
Louis XV made a mockery of Captain Randall, heaping on ridicule and embarrassment during a period when animosity was rife due to the ongoing war between England and France.
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Being Scottish instead of English worked in Jamie and Claire's favour at court, in stark contrast to Black Jack Randall, who was a symbol of English presence and power in his Redcoat attire.
Throughout Outlander, Jamie's kilt has served as a significant emblem, especially after the Battle of Culloden when the English prohibition on tartan made possession a dangerous defiance, punishable by severe penalties.
Hence, its meaning escalated within Outlander beyond that juncture because of its associated risks.
As Outlander transitions to new territories, the kilt's visual prominence might wane, yet it remains deeply symbolic for Jamie, a constant reminder of his Scottish heritage.