The main characters of the novel are Claire Randall, later Claire Fraser, and Jamie Fraser. After being transported to the 18th century, Claire is forced to contend with a very different world that she does not fit into. The people she meets along the way, including Dougal MacKenzie and Jonathan Randall, make her journey equal parts horrifying and exciting.
Jamie Fraser
Jamie Fraser is one of the main characters of Diana Gabaldon’s ‘Outlander‘ series. He is a brave and honorable warrior who is loyal to his family and friends. He is kind-hearted and compassionate, often putting the needs of others before his own. Jamie and Claire meet soon after her arrival in the 18th century and are soon married.
Jamie values justice and mercy over any other virtues, and his actions demonstrate his commitment to protecting those around him. Jamie is also fiercely protective of Claire and her well-being.
He takes great care of her during their journeys through 18th-century Scotland and strives to keep her safe from danger.
Claire Randall
Claire Randall is the main character of Diana Gabaldon’s ‘Outlander‘ series. She is an Englishwoman from the 20th century, transported back to 18th-century Scotland. Struggling to find her place in this new world, she is strong-willed, intelligent, and determined to make her way in this unfamiliar place.
She meets Jamie Fraser and falls in love with him, and together they travel through dangerous lands, facing multiple obstacles and adventures along the way. Claire has a deep love for Jamie and is fiercely loyal to him and their mission. She is a brave, resourceful, and independent woman who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.
Jonathan Randall
Jonathan Randall is an English army captain who appears in the story of ‘Outlander.’ He is a villainous character who plays an important role in the events of the novel and is considered to be the antagonist. He is Frank Randall’s ancestor (Claire’s husband in the 20th century) and Jamie Fraser’s archenemy.
Jonathan is cruel, manipulative, and sexually violent. As a British officer in Scotland, he commands a great deal of authority and takes advantage of it to inflict harm on the people he encounters. He uses his power to rape and terrorize innocent victims, particularly Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall.
Although Jonathan is seen as the ultimate antagonist of Outlander, his character serves to highlight the complexities of 18th-century Scottish history and the suffering caused by British rule.
Laoghaire MacKenzie
Laoghaire MacKenzie is a minor but important character in Diana Gabaldon’s ‘Outlander.’ She is the daughter of Colum MacKenzie, the head of Clan MacKenzie, and is deeply rooted in Scottish tradition and superstition.
Laoghaire is a beautiful young woman who is deeply in love with Jamie Fraser, the main character in the series. She is also jealous of Claire Randall, who eventually becomes Jamie’s wife.
Frank Randall
Frank Randall is a World War II historian and is Claire’s husband. Frank is initially unaware that his wife has traveled back in time. The two have an unhappy marriage and travel to Scotland together with the hope of mending their troubles.
Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser
Murtagh is Jamie’s godfather, who is a kind and loyal figure in the novel. He’s one of the only ones who know where Claire is from.
Jenny and Ian Murray
Jenny Murray is the younger sister of Jamie Fraser in Diana Gabaldon’s ‘Outlander.’ The siblings are close, with Jenny often stepping in as a surrogate mother to Jamie when their parents are absent. Although she is soft-spoken and gentle, Jenny also displays a strength of character throughout the novel.
Ian is Jenny’s husband and a kind, supportive character in the book. Both Jenny and Ian have an important role in the novel. They provide a sense of stability when the world around them is changing rapidly.
Jenny and Ian’s love for each other and for Jamie is an important part of the story, offering readers insight into the power of family relationships.
Dougal MacKenzie
Dougal MacKenzie is the powerful and proud war chief of Clan MacKenzie, a proud and honorable Scotsman, and a loyal ally of Jamie Fraser. His older brother is Colum, the Laird. Dougal supports the rebel Jacobite cause.
Dougal is a fiercely independent man, a Highlander of strong convictions and loyalty to his clan and country. He is a pragmatic leader, more focused on strategy and tactics than on romance or emotion.
Though often underestimated, Dougal is an incredibly capable leader, as well as a shrewd political player. He has an extensive knowledge of the politics of Scotland, both its people and clans.
Colum MacKenzie
Colum is the Laird of Leoch and the chieftain of the MacKenzie clan. He is Jamie’s uncle and suffers from an illness that Claire is able to diagnose once she arrives in the past and examines him.
Mrs. Baird
The owner of a bed and breakfast in Scotland where Claire and Frank stay.
Mrs. Graham
The housekeeper predicts that Claire is going to fall in love with two different men, an important allusion to the events that follow.
FAQs
What does Claire look like in the books?
Claire is described as a striking woman with shoulder-length dark hair and blue eyes. She is tall and slender with a curvy figure.
Who are the most important characters in Outlander?
The two main characters in ‘Outlander‘ by Diana Gabaldon are Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall. The supporting characters that play important roles include Frank Randall, Jonathan Randall, Laoghaire MacKenzie, Jenny, Ian Murray, and Dougal MacKenzie.
What does Jamie call Claire in the book?
Jamie calls Claire by several different names, including Sassenach (which is Gaelic for “outlander”) and mo duinne (Gaelic for “my brown-haired one”).
How much older is Claire than Jamie in the books?
In the books, Claire is five and a half years older than Jamie. She was 27 when they met, and he had just turned 22.
