Streaming Sunday features TV series or movies adapted from books I’ve read, offered on at least one streaming service and I’ve watched.
The Outlander series is an adaptation of the books of the same series name by Diana Gabaldon. It’s an historical time travel drama that transitions between post World War II (1945) and 18th century Scotland (1743). Claire Randall is a former combat nurse who finds herself suddenly transported back in time and encounters Highlander Jamie Fraser who will forever change her life.
The series premiered August 9, 2014 on Starz and is in its sixth season and renewed for a seventh. It’s produced and developed by Ron Moore with significant collaboration with the author who had veto power over the casting. It stars Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall and Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser. Each season is based on the corresponding book.
I don’t typically like time travel stories because of inevitable paradoxes and didn’t want to read the first book, Outlander. I’d received it as a kindle freebie in 2010 and was constantly urged to read it by my friends on Shelfari, a site that was similar to Goodreads but significantly smaller and later merged into it by Amazon. I finally decided to read it in February 2012 and was blown away! The writing is extraordinary, the historical elements unparalleled and the romance captivating.
While I read the first book (over 600 pages), I switched to the audio version for the next two (over 15 hours of listening each). They’re narrated by Davina Porter who I believe was created just for these stories! Her mastery of all things Scottish brings everything to life.
When it was announced that the series was being developed for television production and streamed on Starz, I contacted my cable company and orchestrated a deal to add the channel for free. There was a lot of promotion for the first season release and fans of the book, who are legion, were avidly following all of it but nervous about how the beloved series would be developed on screen. Worries were put to rest when Caitriona and Sam were cast as the leads and producer Moore hired Gabaldon as a consultant (she’s written several of the episodes!). We fell in love with the first episode and never looked back.
The first season was groundbreaking on many fronts, particularly for the quality of the production, the costumes, location settings, authenticity and attention to historical details. But, the most memorable episode from that season is the seventh, The Wedding, because it includes a nude love scene purposefully filmed with a female perspective in mind. Trust me…they got everything right and it’s still one of the most talked about love scenes.
I couldn’t keep up with the books by the fourth season so I watched it, going in blind. I’ve gotten behind but definitely plan to return because it is one of my most favorite. But, be prepared because Gabaldon can be ruthless in what she inflicts on her characters…all of them. I highly recommend reading the first book (definitely on audio if you can do that) before starting the TV series. The adaptation is crazy great but I feel like it was helpful to have read the book first. After that, I don’t think it’s necessary, though I’m glad I got four books under my belt.
The series also began streaming on Netflix after the first season. It’s had 70 award nominations with 33 wins, including Best Actress and Best Actor nominations for Balfe and Heughan.
Blue Mood Café 
My sister is a huge fan of both the series and the books, but I never really got into it. Mostly because of the time travel, but know it has a huge happy following.
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I think it helps a lot to read the first book, Alexandra. Time travel isn’t my thing either but this one hooked me!
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The only thing putting me off starting these books is their sheer size! OMG, I remember watching only one episode with my parents; I was in the kitchen making my sandwiches for lunch the next day, and suddenly there were all these s*xy noises coming from the TV in the other room! 🙈🤣 Never again!!
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OMG! Nicola, never watch this series with parents😬
The books are massive, which is why I couldn’t keep up. But, I was loving them on audio.
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I loved the books so much that I have been afraid to watch this series. It’s good to hear from someone far braver than me that it really lives up to the books. Maybe I’ll have to give this a try after all. Or at least that one episode. 😂🤣😂
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Tessa, I was so worried the TV series would somehow mess up my wonderful memories of that first book. But it far surpassed all expectations. We formed a Goodreads discussion thread to talk about the series and were all just blown away. You’ll know from the first episode.
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I didn’t get through the first episode and couldn’t figure out what all the fuss was about. 😳😂
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Eva, it took me a bit to get into the book but as it progresses, it got special. This probably isn’t your cuppa.
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I love time travel books Jo, but haven’t read any of them or watched the series. , but if it’s on Netflix I might give it ago, especially as the audiobooks are on Scribd.
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Nicki, I strongly recommend listening to the first book before watching the first season. You’ll know if this is for you but I think it’s your kind of story.
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I’ve saved it on Scribd, but 32 hours long! 😱
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It goes by pretty fast!
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Good! 😂
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Lovely write-up, and you capture so much about what makes the adaptation great! I’m a huge fan of the books and the series. It’s definitely worth going back to the books, although #5 and #6 are particularly huge, and it can sometimes feel like we’re living through every detail of every day with the Frasers, down to knowing what’s for breakfast at any given moment. Still, I wouldn’t trade them for anything!! (And if you finish all the huge books, there are also plenty of other books — Lord John novellas and a bunch of novellas — to keep you going!)
Oh, and I agree about Davina Porter. She’s marvelous!
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Thanks, Lisa💜 I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to the books as I don’t do well with that after seeing it on screen.
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Great choice Jo. I have not read the books, but I am on the 3rd season of this series. I hope to catch up on it someday. Next week, Fergus, Ontario is holding their annual Highland Games. I am not able to go this year, but Diana Gabaldon and Duncan Lacroix are featured guests this year.
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How fun! I think I’d go if it were near here.
Carla, the TV series is almost a mirror image of the books. Once I opted to watch that 4th season without having first read the book, I knew I was forever forgoing the rest of the books.
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