Outlander fans 'baffled' as they spot that key characters have never spoken

Daily Record

04-05-2025

Outlander fans have taken to Reddit to discuss a huge difference in Diana Gabaldon's books than in the small-screen adaptation by Starz.
Outlander's eighth and final season is on the horizon, with many choosing to dig into the old episodes to get their Droughtlander fix. Some fans have been left 'baffled' as they realised two main characters have never spoken.
"Have Fergus and Brianna ever had a conversation?," pondered one fan on discussion platform Reddit. This soon sparked up much curiosity among fans, who admitted they had never noticed either and were left 'baffled' by it.
‌
Outlander, based on Diana Gabaldon 's best-selling book franchise, was adapted for the small-screen by Starz, and soon amassed a global fanbase.
‌
Fergus Fraser (played by both Romann Berrux and subsequently Cesar Domboy in latter seasons) was brought under Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan)'s wing as an adopted son after they crossed paths in France.
He continued to be an integral part of the series. Meanwhile, fans were introduced to Brianna Fraser (Sophie Skelton) much later in the show, when she finally travelled through the stones years after being brought up by Claire Fraser (Caitriona Balfe).
It was a reunion between Brianna and dad Jamie which melted many hearts. Although many have pointed out how strange it is that both Fergus and Brianna never appear to have spoken, despite being such integral family to both Claire and Jamie.
It comes as some book fans noted they did exchange brief words in the books, which hasn't appeared to have been aired in the screen adaptation across all seven series so far. Many are hoping for a dialogue in the next series.
One person said on Reddit, "I'm sure they have off camera. I just feel bad that Fergus seems to often be left out, because he's not in on the family secret. I get very upset for Fergus, when he is left out of a family event."
‌
Another echoed, "It is so weird that they still haven't told Fergus about the timetravel thing, especially considering he & his children may be able to do it too. They literally told all of the Murrays, including nieces and nephews they barely see, but not their adopted son who has been nothing but loyal to Jamie for 35 years?"
However, one pointed out, "I don't think Fergus is explicitly left out of anything that Marsali is not also left out of. Sure, she had scenes with Bree, but they have a different relationship (ie, both young mothers), and Fergus has scenes with Roger. I don't think there are any "big group" scenes that Fergus is left out of (unless he chooses to not be there)."
‌
Book fans noted, "In Bees, when Bree and Roger make their trip to do the portrait painting, they stop to visit Marsali and Fergus (and for Roger's ordainment meeting). They're all sitting around drinking wine. I think there might be a sentence or two exchanged between Bree and Fergus about the wine."
Someone else said, "Not conversation, but they were in some scenes together, mostly that I remember ,in Bees. Most communication between them are off page and retold later."
‌
"I hope there's at least ONE s8/b10 scene where they exchange a few words. It's odd that two such main characters never exchange words, especially when they live in the same area, their spouses and children have a relationship, and they are siblings," shared another.
Someone else chimed, "If S8 does a version of the missed printshop content from books, maybe we will get one there?." Another echoed, "I hope we'll be given something in the next season..."
"That's why it always seemed odd to me they've never given us a real moment between these two - it'd been important to see them bond. I get these relationships were different (he is still an 18th century man, even if he's seen a lot) and Bree looks way more close with Marsali. Still, they're basically brother and sister," another fan noted.