Outlander is adding new faces for season 3, which will air in 2017. Here is a roundup of those characters, and how they are connected to Jamie and Claire.
In the season 2 finale of Outlander, we learned that Jamie had actually survived the Battle of Culloden. In season 3, Claire is going to attempt to get back to Jamie 20 years after they last parted. Where is he, and who is he with?
There are several new cast members coming on board this year. Here is a rundown of who is who, and how these characters are connected to Jamie and Claire. The information below contains mild spoilers for season 3, and some major ones that will be clearly marked. Avert your eyes if you are trying to stay totally spoiler free.
Characters recast with older actors
Lord John Grey (David Berry)
Lord John Grey was previously played by Oscar Kennedy. The teenage Lord John Grey had a brief encounter with Jamie and Claire in season 2 when he unsuccessfully attacked Jamie on the eve of The Battle of Prestonpans.
Later, Jamie and Claire created a ruse whereby Grey thought Claire was a hostage of the Scots. Grey gave up troop positions and numbers thinking he was sparing Claire’s life and honor from Scottish ruffians.
Since Jamie spared Grey’s life, Grey reluctantly stated that he now owes Jamie a life debt, and after that debt is repaid, he’ll have no compunction killing Jamie. David Berry is now play Grey in season 3. At his point, his character is in his late 30s.
Fergus (César Domboy)
Of all the new characters that fans encountered in season 2, was any one more lovable than Fergus? Fans will be happy to know that Romann Berrux, who played Fergus in season 2, will still be seen in some flashback scenes. However the adult version of Fergus, now in his early 30’s, will be played by César Domboy.
New characters based in 20th century America
Joe Abernathy (Wil Johnson)
Last season we learned that Claire had continued her medical training upon her return to the 20th century. In the season finale, Brianna stated that Claire had in fact become a surgeon.
Joe Abernathy is one of Claire’s colleagues at the hospital in Boston where they are both on staff. Joe Abernathy is not only a colleague, but a true friend.
Significant spoilers lie ahead. Continue at your own risk!
New characters based in Scotland/England
Young Ian Murray (John Bell)
In season 1, we met Ian Murray. Ian is Jamie’s best friend who is married to Jamie’s sister Jenny. When we last saw the Murray clan, they were the proud parents of two children. Over the ensuing years they have several more children, the youngest of which is named Ian after his father.
Ian and Jamie share a close relationship. They bond over a spirit of adventure and daring which causes friction between Jamie, Young Ian, and Young Ian’s parents.
Ian ends up kidnapped aboard a vessel bound for the Americas for reasons not at first clear to Jamie and his family. Jamie and Claire embark on a rescue mission on the high seas to save Ian, and to bring Ian back to his parents.
Marsali MacKimmie Fraser (Lauren Lyle)
Marsali is Jamie’s stepdaughter who is in love with Fergus. Marsali is the is daughter of Laoghaire MacKenzie and Simon MacKimmie. Once Simon dies, Laoghaire is widowed and eventually she marries Jamie. Jamie considers himself responsible for Marsali and her sister Joan as he takes his role as stepfather seriously.
Yi Tien Cho, A.K.A. Mr. Willoughby (Gary Young)
Mr. Willoughby is a sailor from China who has led a difficult life. Jamie takes him on as a member of his smuggling team in Edinburgh.
Joan MacKimmie (not yet cast)
Joan is Marsali’s younger sister who longs to be a nun.
Geneva Dunsany (Hannah James)
The Dunsany’s are good friends of Lord John Grey. Grey previously (unbeknownst to them) was the lover of her older brother. After being paroled from prison, Jamie ends up working as a groom on the estate of Lord Dunsany. Lord Dunsany’s reckless, eldest daughter Geneva is betrothed to the elderly Lord Ellesmere. Before her marriage to Lord Ellesmere, Geneva blackmails Jamie into sleeping with her. In doing so, Jamie fathers Geneva’s son, Willie.
Isobel Dunsany (Tanya Reynolds)
Isobel is the younger and more refined sister of Geneva, but she is also somewhat naive and spoilt as she is the sheltered daughter of a lord. Isobel becomes a surrogate mother to Willie upon her sister’s death. She and Lord John Grey form an attachment of convenience.
Significant characters met on the high seas/America 18th century
Reverend Archibald Campbell (not yet cast)
A minister travelling to the Americas.
Margaret Campbell (not yet cast)
Reverend Archibald Campbell’s sister who accompanies him to the New World. People think that she’s not quite all there.
Dr. Lawrence Stern (not yet cast)
Dr. Stern is a naturalist who is exploring the New World. Along with Father Fogden, he befriends Claire after she is shipwrecked.