Outlander Main Characters Ranked

#10 Frank

Let's talk about Frank: Frank is at the bottom of this list because he is a huge jerk later in life. However, he is an absolutely fascinating character, and, from my knowledge, WAY better in the show than the books. At the start, he and Claire have an obvious connection, and he clearly has strong feelings for her. There are some genuinely beautiful moments between them, with Frank talking about drawing the lines on Claire’s hand being particularly romantic. If it weren't for Claire's true love coming into her life, they could have been happy. There is evidence of cracks in the marriage from the first, with Frank talking about infidelity seeming like a cover for his own actions. But watching him search for Claire is heartbreaking, and that he holds out hope longer that Claire didn’t just run off with another man, even when she is in fact with another man, is impressive. They obviously have a powerful connection, evidenced that he takes Claire back, pregnant with another man's child. That is no small thing. But he requires Claire to stuff down all her feelings, and instead of working through his own issues with what happened, guilts Claire. He doesn’t allow her to talk about what she went through, but will never let her forget what she’s done. Franks ends up bitter and terrible to Claire on purpose. It's also terrible that he doesn't give Claire a divorce when she asks the first time. They would probably both been a lot happier (and Claire might have found Jamie earlier), but instead he waits, then springs a divorce on Claire and tries to manipulate Bree into abandoning her mother. Moreover, he is aware that Jamie is alive, that Claire can and will return to him, and, worst of all, that when she does, she will die tragically. All that, Frank keeps secret. Frank is fascinating and Tobias Menzies is amazing, but some of his motivations are a bit muddy from the first, and he's an absolute jerk later that tends to nullify the good he did before.

#9 Roger

Like many Outlander fans, I have complicated feelings about Roger (I understand he’s better in the books, though I haven’t read much of him yet). Early Roger seemed charming and nice enough, with a love of Bree that, while being very sweet, is a bit intense, though love at first sight is definitely a thing for the men in Outlander. He earns major points finding Jamie, and for believing Claire when she told her story, even when Bree didn’t. However, Roger not telling Bree about her mother’s death is a terrible thing to do. It is so selfish that he would be more worried about keeping her around rather than giving her agency and her own choice.

Throughout season 4, I was staunchly anti-Roger. He straight up sucked. He lied to Bree, manipulated her, and didn't acknowledge her point of view. In particular, their fight at the North Carolina festival was deeply disturbing to me, and made me feel that they were fundamentally wrong for each other.

Bree had some issues too, but Roger was bad enough that it had me hoping the show would take a MAJOR departure from the books and put Bree with someone else. Part of the reason Roger seems so crappy though is that his major comparison character is Jamie Fraser, King of Men. He obviously can't live up to that, and when he has very human moments, like hesitating about Bree -- remembering the last time they saw each other, they fought and she told him to leave, and now she has a baby that might not be his -- we resent him. Or at least I did. Roger hasn't gotten a lot of grace when he makes mistakes, and he has made a lot of them.

However, he really came around in Season 5. They gave him some good space to develop in Famous Last Words, and Monsters and Heroes could alternately be titled, "Let's Make Jamie Like Roger So the Audience Will Too," but he has honestly strong character moments. Part of the reason it’s hard to like Roger is that he honestly fails sometimes. He makes mistakes and bad choices that come from selfishness and personal failings. That’s actually very relatable, but he comes from very different flaws than Jamie, Claire, and Bree. We’re less forgiving of selfishness than we are of rashness, and sometimes we even admire rashness over patience.

Roger is interesting as someone who doesn't take to the past like Claire and Bree do. He is certainly more supportive, and his relationship with Bree has improved. Him claiming Jemmy as his son, no matter Jemmy’s paternity, is a strong moment. Obviously, blood oaths are important and powerful in the Outlander universe, so it carries a lot of weight. The problems with Roger certainly aren't gone in S5, like when he wants to travel back to the twentieth century despite Bree being obviously at least torn. He clearly thinks of Fraser's Ridge as home, though, which shows growth for him. He's not the actual worst anymore, which is something, but he'll never be one of the best characters. His past drags him down.

#8 Fergus

The only reason Fergus is not significantly higher on this list is because he doesn't get much screen time. He's been with us since Season 2, and has been a wonderful addition from the first. We got to see him as a precious young pickpocket, charming and sweet, who is like a son to Jamie and Claire. He goes through so much, and loves Milord and Milady with all his heart. Fergus is orphaned, raised in a brothel, and assaulted, and he could have been angry and bitter. Instead, he opens his heart to Jamie and Claire, and shows kindness, tenderness, and affection. The scene of him brushing Claire's hair after she loses the baby is beautiful heartbreaking as they both deal with trauma and loneliness.

As an adult, he is a unique and interesting character, and his relationship with Marsali is the best since Jamie and Claire got together. I wish we got more of him as an adult and as a husband and father. In season 3, it's beautiful to watch his relationship with Marsali grow, and him standing up to Jamie for Marsali is precious. He is clearly a ladies’ man, but is eager to give that up for the woman he loves. We see how much he values a strong woman in an equal partnership in with his wife. Certainly that’s having Jamie’s ideals instilled in him, but seems to be naturally bent that way as well.

Season 4 shows him struggling with his masculine identity and position in the world. This is one of my favorite storylines that was largely unexplored. They still don't give him enough room to develop his character as having lost his hand puts him in a precarious and difficult position. Moreover, as the only one who didn't get a strong Jamie moment during Monsters and Heroes, though he, as someone who lost a limb, would have an interesting perspective, he is definitely shortchanged. He so often gets shortchanged, both as a character and as Jamie and Claire's son, particularly in Season 5. Fergus is a truly remarkable character and wonderful person, but he's somewhat of a flat character, which is hugely disappointing because of all his potential. I always want more of him.

#7 Brianna

At first, Bree started off seeming pretty shallow, and a little annoying, but she has made great strides. Obviously we met her in one of the most tumultuous times of her life, when everything she knew was being turned upside-down. That could turn anyone off kilter and explains certainly some less mature behavior. But she was just...off. A young actress in a new part has to be a tall order, and the writing for Brianna occasionally made her seem more like a bratty teen than a poised young woman going through an unthinkably difficult time. Also, acting opposite the amazing Caitriona Balfe cannot be easy so no shade.

As both character and an actress, I believe she’s developed remarkably. As the show gave her more room to grow as a character, she became more interesting, likable, and developed. Her headstrong and stubborn determination to do whatever it takes to save her mother reminds us clearly of her father, and we start to see more and more of her best traits. Going through everything with Bonnet, while horribly tragic, showed her strength and resilience. She isn’t made of stone; it hurts her and she feels the repercussions, but we watch her grow and change through it with an impressive fortitude. The way she deals with her trauma, through drawing, is unique to her and a great piece of her character.

Her reconnecting with her mother and meeting her real father helped her develop immensely as well. Seeing her with Jamie was amazing as they are so similar, and that connection reminds us that many of the reasons we love Jamie are reasons to love Bree as well. Also, she's a good and devoted mom. More in Season 5, we see the sacrifices she's willing to make for her family, and we see how tough she is. Whether that’s facing down bison or having patient courage as Roger finds his voice again, she is an impressive figure. Her finally killing Bonnet is an absolutely stellar moment! Bree really comes into her own in Season 5, and I think Sophie has hit her stride as Bree. Her getting to use some of her engineering skills is awesome as Outlander has a great legacy of strong women balancing love, family, and a very intense career (read, Claire), and I hope we'll get to see more of that. She's been a positive force recently, which is a great change from her earlier introductions where she was a bit robotic. But Bree has become a character that much more naturally fits into the story this season, and a much more positive force as another strong character with unique traits that I'm excited to see develop further.

#6 Young Ian

Young Ian has one of the best character arcs of the series. He goes from this bubbly young boy with an adventurous spirit to a hardened warrior struggling with his identity and the value of his own life.

I didn't love him as that bubblier, younger character. He was cute, but not exactly compelling. Even when he was in Jamaica, though he went through some serious crap, his scenes were never my favorite. More than anything, he was a macguffin for Jamie and Claire to chase and go on adventures to get. He had some great moments in season 4 as he was taking charge of his own life and where he wanted to be. I like his spirit of adventure, and he is a spiritual son of Jamie’s in so many ways. His big moment of decision and character change is when he stays with the Mohawk for Roger. That's a huge, beautiful sacrifice, and after, I missed his energy in the cast.

He comes back into season 5 so strongly and obviously changed. He has developed into a very compelling character with a backstory that is all the more interesting because we get very little of it, and most of that through his emotions and expressions. Having him and Roger run parallel journeys improves both of their characters. Ian gearing up for battle to get Claire back and killing for her is a really beautiful moment, despite the violence. John Hunter Bell does a brilliant job portraying quiet, calm, fury without a single word.

The show still does a great job of showing that the fun, sweet boy is still there in Ian, like when Jamie and Claire tell him about time travel, but that it's buried under his trauma. He has a very relatable desire, to go back and change things, but unlike Claire or Bree, he can't. I'm excited to see more of him as we fill in the blanks of what happened to him, and to see what John Hunter Bell continues to do with this character. Ian has grown very well and very believably since his introduction, and he's a wonderful addition to the show.

#5 John

Lord John is without a doubt one of my favorite characters on the show. His witty responses are so beautifully coupled with a deep emotionality like few characters can manage. He is the absolute highlight of the first half of Season 3. He is the next best thing to Jamie and Claire moments always. His blend of innocence with his big, Bambi blue eyes, and a savvy, sexual simmer, is delightful. He can brood as well as he can play, and his verbal sparring matches are some best moments of the show.

He is one of the most integrally weaved characters, from meeting him as a valiant young boy, to coming as a strong but naive jailer, and, at last, as a loving father and supportive friend. Seeing him go from more wide-eyed and madly in love to this more mature, grounded character has been a treat. His undying love for Jamie is gorgeous. He's not a jerk about it, not lying in wait to undermine Jamie and Claire’s relationship. We see exactly what John values when Jamie offers himself, and John refuses. The relationship developed between John and Claire in season 4 is a really mature and impressive one. Their frankness and openness with each other shows remarkable similarity between the two, and cements why Jamie is so drawn to both of them, and cares about them so deeply. The understanding John comes to with Claire, despite jealousies and struggles, is one of mutual respect.

Seeing John as William's father is great as that explores a different side of him as well. His relationship with Bree as well is fantastic. He cares for her and wants to protect her, first as Jamie's daughter, then as her own person. He supports and listens to Bree, showing that he values her and her opinions highly. It's too bad that he hasn't had a real love interest (other than Jamie, but someone who reciprocates in a romantic way), and/or that we didn't get to see him much with his wife before she died. The deficiencies in this character, which are very few, are there only because we don't see enough of him. Obviously he's a not the main character in Outlander, which is why I'm very strongly hoping for a Lord John spinoff. I want to see his development and adventures, and get more David Berry who is not only a wonderful actor but an absolute snack. Lord John is one of the most multifaceted and three-dimensional characters from Outlander.

#4 Marsali

If anyone is the new Claire on this show, it's Marsali. She's strong-willed and independent while being loving and emotionally intelligent. Marsali has come such a long way since her introduction in season 3. Even then, we saw her adventurous spirit and uniqueness; she leaves everything she knows behind so she can be with the man she loves, much like Claire. At first, I assumed that Marsali would be a new Laoghaire, an immature thorn in Jamie and Claire’s side. I am thrilled with how wrong I was!

Obviously her relationship with Claire is strained at first, but she sees traits in Claire she admires and follows, and they find common ground surprisingly quickly. Their conversation before the wedding is honesty and human, one woman to another. Claire treats Marsali as an equal, and Marsali proves that she can handle it. She also shows remarkable strength, and some very Claire-like traits, such as always being at Fergus's side when trouble comes and not backing down. She’s not going to be left behind or ignored, but will stand up and do what needs to be done, no matter what.

Marsali continues to develop as a human and particularly as a mother, but really comes into her own in Season 5. She is delightful and admirable as Claire's assistant, and that relationship truly blossoms. Marsali has that same pragmatic strength Claire does, but is willing to show her softer side. Marsali also has incredible empathy and ways to really see into a person's soul and where their pain is. She knows what Fergus needs and is great at addressing when he feels inadequate. In season 5, she is there for both Bree and Ian in very real ways with this incredible ability to show them they would forgive what they are doing in her, and so they should forgive it in themselves. She's sort of the best kind of busybody, always inserting herself in, but making it better. Also, when she kills the man that hurt Claire, it's a powerful moment. She's emotional, obviously, but she does what she feels needs to be done.

Marsali is truly one of the best characters, and I always want to see more of her, of her marriage to Fergus and domestic life, and of her work with Claire and her internal existence. Marsali adds so much to the story and a counterbalance for so much of the emotional turmoil on the show.

#3 Murtagh

Murtagh is the character we've been with the longest other than Jamie and Claire. He's been by their side the whole way. From the beginning, we see his incredible bond with Jamie, and he's almost the first person Claire meets back in the eighteenth century. He is prickly and bristly, but is always a delightful addition. Though he’s not the traditional ideal of a romantic hero, he is the first one to “save” Claire from Black Jack, though he does hit her over the head to keep her quiet. He is perceptive and almost silent in the background, but always there to give advice to both Jamie and Claire when it’s needed. He and Claire searching for Jamie helps build their relationship, which is great to see as Murtagh is so important to Jamie. We also get to see a rare moment of vulnerability in him when he tells Claire about the tusks.

In France, Murtagh's not-putting-up-with-your-crap attitude is so much fun, but it's covering a very sweet soul and an emotional connection to Jamie and Claire. Seeing him more as a bit of comic relief while still having a similar demeanor is enjoyable. Murtagh always standing by Jamie, through Culloden and Ardsmuir, is beautiful, and he’s one of the things that keeps Jamie human, keeps him striving for something, after he’s lost Claire. We lose him for a time, but his return is amazing. It’s one of the great moments of the series when Murtagh and Jamie see each other again. The sheer joy Murtagh conveys when Jamie tells him that Claire returned to him shows so clearly how much Murtagh loves his godson. And of course, Murtagh’s reunion with Claire is sublime.

Murtagh really comes into a new era in season 5 as the leader of the Regulators. His romance with Jocasta also shows more depth to him and helps develop his character. Also, his representation of an older character is really well rounded and honestly not shown enough on TV. His death also provides one of the emotional power moments of the entire series. Murtagh is a staple of the show and it's hard to imagine it without him. He's the second person to find out the truth about Claire, his relationship with Bree is precious. And of course, his love and care for Jamie is absolute. Even in his last moments, he’s comforting Jamie, telling him it doesn’t hurt. He is all-around one of the most amazing characters in the show. He is steadfast and unique, and one of the few parental figures for Jamie and Claire. He has an amazing revolutionary spirit that lasts for several decades. His presence will be sorely missed,

#2 Jamie

The man himself. It's almost impossible not to love him at first sight with those beautiful eyes and that wry wit. But it's his incredible moral sense and loving heart that makes him truly remarkable. Before he marries Claire, we see just how disastrously charming he can be, but after their marriage, it's clear just how sweet and loving Jamie really is. He falls for Claire and falls hard, and is willing to do whatever it takes to protect and care for her. He is incredibly brave in many different ways. It takes one kind of bravery to break into Fort William with an empty pistol to rescue the woman he isn’t sure even wants him, but it’s another kind of bravery to kneel before her, admit wrongdoing, and ask her to forgive, to love, him again. The incredible emotional vulnerability and truth Jamie gives Claire is what makes him stand out among romantic heroes. He suffers mightily from BJR and everything in France, that it could leave him angry and bitter, and her certainly has some of that. But he pushes past it. A lot of that is due to Claire, but Jamie is willing to reach out and take her offered hand.

To Jamie, the only important thing is the safety of those he loves. He sends away Claire to protect her, and living after that is a punishment to him. Suffering the loss of Claire and his baby girl for twenty years, he still manages to do good with his time. Even though he is half a person, he does good in Ardsmuir, and tries to be a husband and father. When Claire does return, Jamie is willing to give up anything and everything to have Claire and keep her safe. Of course his relationship with Claire is absolutely central. His development has a lot to do with Claire's modern ideas and his huge respect for her as a person. He trusts her and loves her, and is absolutely swoon-worthy all the while.

In the later seasons, Jamie has lost a little of his idealism. He is more selfish as well, not for himself but for the people he loves. He has already lost his heart and soul once, and he will do whatever it takes to keep Claire and Bree and their family from harm. It's remarkable to get to watch a character grow and change from his 20s to his 50s. That's rare, and it makes him all the more fascinating.

Jamie makes mistakes. His stubbornness, his temper, get in the way of what's best sometimes. But he is incredibly good at admitting and fixing those mistakes when they're made. Sometimes it feels like Jamie is a bit overly perfect, like the smoothing over some of his bumps make him a slightly less interesting character. He's the King of Men, and though we love our perfect Jamie, that tends to make him the most fantastical part of a series about time-travel. But Jamie still manages to have great texture, especially in his relationships with everyone around him. The journey he has been on, the pain he's suffered, and his beautiful love story, make him one of the best romantic heroes, and heroes in general, on TV.

#1 Claire

Our incredible heroine; we wouldn't get this amazing journey if not for Claire. She is our introduction to this epic adventure of time travel, intrigue, and romance, and our point of view throughout most of the series.

She is one of the fiercest and most knowledgeable women on television. She knows her own mind and is never afraid to speak it. She adapts incredibly well to an unthinkably difficult situation. Her love of Jamie really humanizes her, too, as she doesn't know what to do and what's right. Obviously she loves Frank, but Jamie is her everything, and that puts her on such a crazy path. I can’t imagine going through what she has, and being torn in two different directions so strongly. Claire is swept along on this crazy adventure, and all the while, tries to make the best of an impossible reality, all while standing up for herself and for those who can’t stand up for themselves. Claire is unimaginably brave, risking everything several times to pursue what she wants and what's right.

She's also stubborn and has a temper, and her moments of vulnerability show so much of who she is deep down. Her romance with Jamie is truly a partnership, that they rely on each other and trust each other when things get tough. Claire never lets things fester but instead draws them out and purges them in the open. She is brave, saving Jamie as he saves her, from practicing medicine on him to breaking into Wentworth to rescue him. Perhaps more even than that, she goes “into the darkness” with Jamie, meeting him where he is to help him. Nothing scares her; she has chosen to love Jamie and everything that comes with that. She suffers unimaginably, though assaults, losing her daughter, and losing Jamie.

Much like the man she loves, she still manages to do some good with her life, though she is deeply broken inside. As a medical student and doctor, Claire is an absolute force of nature. No one and nothing will stand in her way. She is steadfast and empathetic for her patients and her loved ones, and she has a very pragmatic altruism that has her take risks to help others. She calls for the rights of women and minorities in a time, both the 18th century and the 20th, when the rights of those groups were being seriously denied. We get to see Claire as a working mom, and see her live a life that wasn't her ideal, but she holds on and does good all through it.

When she finally finds Jamie again, she risks all once more to go after the man she loves. Everything that comes after just cements how powerful their connection is, and that Claire can get through anything, especially if Jamie is by her side. It’s wonderful to see her relationships improve when she is with Jamie. While Claire and Bree’s relationship was never the best, Claire being happy and fulfilled allows her to be more open, and for her daughter to respond to her on a much more authentic level.

In the end, she is a wonderful character who is the driving force of the show. She is always made better by Jamie and of course their relationship is central, but she has so much that is her own that she is one of the strongest female leads in modern pop culture.