When we last saw Claire and Jamie Fraser in the season 1 finale of OUTLANDER, the pair were sailing off to France to begin a new chapter in their lives (and a new book in the corresponding “Outlander” series). After spending the first season with the Scottish and the English, we’re about to meet the members of the French court in the upcoming season, as Claire and Jamie try to prevent the Jacobite rebellion led by Prince Charles Stuart and stop the battle of Culloden. With the help of Jamie’s cousin, Jared, the pair will be thrust into the lavish world of French high society.
Below are the main characters you’ll see in season 2. OUTLANDER returns for its second season on April 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Starz.
Claire Fraser (formerly: Claire Randall). A pregnant Claire arrives in France with her husband, Jamie, as season 2 begins. “Her new mission – infiltrate the Jacobite movement and prevent the infamous battle of Culloden. The strong-minded Claire is determined to alter the course of history and save not only the Highlander people she’s come to love – but to secure a future for the child she now carries.”
As the season begins, “Claire’s in an interesting position. It’s her idea to change the course of history, and her plan to get inside the rebellion and subvert it from within by pretending to be supporters,” Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore explains. “Jamie is dubious. It’s not a very honorable path. They’ll have to lie to everyone that they know and lie to people who support a cause that Jamie would actually naturally want to support. Claire says, ‘Look, the stakes are enormous. We’re talking about tens of thousands of lives. We’re talking about the future of the entire Scottish culture, as well as Jamie’s own family.’”
“But Claire finds the deception harder than she thought. As time goes on, she finds that the lies pile on top of one another, and the atmosphere of corruption and backbiting and double-dealing in Paris begins to infect their own relationship, and they get to a place where they do have to ask: who are we becoming? And is it worth it? And ultimately, are the stakes so high that even if we sacrifice our own souls in service of this cause, is that a fair price to pay?”
Jamie Fraser. After a violent past in Scotland, Jamie is establishing a new life in Scotland with his wife and they have one mission: to stop Prince Charles and the rebellion. “To do so, Jamie must transform himself from rugged Highlander to Parisian wine merchant as he navigates high society including the court of King Louis XV. ”
Frank Randall / Captain Jonathan “Black Jack” Randall. While Claire has disappeared from her time, her loving husband Frank is still desperate to bring her home and he is “willing to stretch the realm of scientific possibilities in order to find his missing wife”. Back in the past, we last saw Black Jack Randall be trampled by a stampede after capturing and raping Jamie in Wentworth Prison, who was subsequently rescued by Claire. Now we’re warned “Randall has an unhealthy obsession with Jamie, who manages to run afoul of him more than once during the series – a dark, twisted game of cat and mouse.”
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King Louis XV. Starz says that “King Louis is a powerful man with a taste for the ladies. Louis is used to getting his way in all regards, but can easily grow tired of the people and things that no longer appeal to him.”
Prince Charles Stuart. This is the very man that Claire and Jamie are here for. “When Charles Stuart isn’t carousing with his Jacobite supporters, the young heir to the exiled Catholic royal dynasty is plotting his return to the throne. An unlikely leader with an unabashed taste for alcohol and women, Prince Charles is hell-bent on glory – no matter what the cost.”
Louise De Rohan. Starz calls Louise a “frivolous and animated member of the French Court.” But we’re also told that Claire befriends Louise during her time in Paris, and although the two women come from completely different worlds, they strike up a genuine friendship.
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Le Comte St. Germain. As a wine merchant and member of the French Court, St. Germain is “a noble with a reputation for ruthlessness, as well as for dabbling in the occult.”
Mary Hawkins. Mary is a shy and sweet young Englishman with a slight stammer. “The daughter of a minor baronet and niece of Silas Hawkins, Mary is a pawn in the power plays of her elders. She is engaged to an ancient member of the French nobility.”
Murtagh Fitzgibbons. Murtagh travels to France with Claire and Jamie after helping to free his godson from Black Jack in Wentworth Prison. ” Charged by a promise to Jamie’s mother Ellen, he offers protection and kinship to the couple in trying times. Homesick for his ancestral Fraser lands, adapting to a strange new culture is not on Murtagh’s agenda.”
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Besides the main cast in France, there are a few more familiar and new faces we’ll see in season 2, including:
Fergus. Fergus is a young French pickpocket who was raised in a brother. Prone to mischief, he is also wise beyond his years. “Equally adept at picking pockets as he is at handing out compliments, this precocious youth is fiercely loyal to the Frasers and would gladly lay down his life to protect them.”
Master Raymond. As a kindly apothecary, Master Raymond is a “mysterious healer with a great deal of knowledge regarding secret matters, both political and occult. Though generally viewed with suspicion by his contemporaries, Master Raymond forms a special bond with Claire.”
Mother Hildegarde. Claire befriends Mother Hildegarde, “an intelligent and commanding Mother Superior, while volunteering at L’Hôpital Des Anges. A tall, gaunt woman with a deep and powerful voice, Mother Hildegarde comes from an aristocratic, well-connected family.”
Alexander Randall. Despite the fact that they look alike, Alex possesses none of his older brother’s brutality. “A curate and secretary for the Duke of Sandringham, Alex is gentle, loving and kind.”
Dougal MacKenzie. Dougal is a skilled warrior who is the the War Chieftain of Clan MacKenzie. “Though his older brother Colum is the ruling Laird, Dougal covets the position for himself. Courageous on the battlefield and feared by many, Dougal’s judgment can also be clouded by ego and his fanatical devotion to the Jacobite cause. He will stop at nothing to restore a Stuart King to the throne.”
Colum MacKenzie. Colum is the Laird of the MacKenzie clan, Jamie’s maternal uncle and brother to Dougal. “Colum suffers from what is known in the 20th century as Toulouse-Lautrec Syndrome, a degenerative disease that renders his legs immobile at times, and fills his days with a great amount of pain. Unable to rule by brawn, he must rely on guile and intellect to lead his clan. Not surprisingly, there is a quiet sadness about him, as he must depend on his brother Dougal to be his enforcer. But above all, he is insightful and stern; a strong leader who secretly fears for the future of his clan and its leadership.”
Angus Mohr. A member of Clan MacKenzie, Abgus is a hard drinker who is always searching for a drink or a woman. “Mocking and playful, Angus is also loyal to the bone, a good friend to Rupert, a fearless follower of Dougal, and an enthusiastic supporter of the Jacobite cause.”
Rupert MacKenzie. Rupert is a goofy and lovable member of Clan MacKenzie and is also Jamie’s second cousin. He’s “the Hardy to Angus’ Laurel. A devoted and loyal follower of Dougal MacKenzie, Rupert will always step up to a fight and proudly joins the Jacobite cause.”
Jenny Fraser Murray. Jenny is Jamie’s older sister. “Stubborn and quick-tempered, Jenny is also smart, experienced and skilled, running Lallybroch (the Fraser ancestral home) when Jamie is away, with her husband, Ian Murray. From a young age Jenny learned the importance of family, and will stop at nothing to protect her own.”
Duke of Sandringham. “The Duke is about as opulent and flamboyant as they come in the 18th century. A cunning political player, we are never certain of the Duke’s true loyalties or intentions.”
Lord Lovat. Lovat is Jamie’s estrange paternal grandfather who “was known as ‘the Old Fox’ for his conniving, self-serving nature. Despite having four wives himself, he cut Brian, Jamie’s father, out of his life when he did not approve of his choice of bride. Lord Lovat manipulates affairs according to his own selfish will.”
Brianna Randall. Brianna is a beautiful redheaded young lady and is also the daughter of Claire and Jamie. “Strong-minded and intelligent beyond her years (traits inherited from both her mother and father), Brianna has a distinctly scholastic mindset, with a healthy dose of American strength, having been born and bred in Boston under the watchful eye of historian Frank Randall.”
Roger Wakefield. Roger is kindhearted, intelligent and charming and he’s also the grown-up version of Reverend Wakefield’s adopted son that we met in season 1. “After his parents died in World War II, Roger was raised by the Reverend (with help from his housekeeper, Mrs. Graham) and is a proud Scot through and through. Now a professor at Oxford, Roger has a keen interest in history, and all the secrets and insight it presents.”