Outlander fans weighed in on the casting of Catriona Balfe as Claire Fraser, as they pointed out a number of differences between her and the character in the book
Opinions among Outlander fans are split regarding the suitability of the show’s lead actors compared to their counterparts in Diana Gabaldon’s books.
This has sparked a lively debate about how well the characters have been adapted for the screen. Sam Heughan and Catriona Balfe are renowned for their portrayals of Claire and Jamie Fraser in the popular Starz series, which has garnered a worldwide following by bringing Gabaldon’s Outlander novels to life.
However, one fan has taken to Reddit to question the casting of Irish actress Balfe as Claire, given that the World War II nurse is described in the books as “curvy,” with a different eye color and height.
On the other hand, Scottish actor Heughan seems to have won over many fans, with his portrayal of Highland warrior Jamie Fraser being hailed as “ideal.”
One fan wrote, “For Jamie, I feel like there aren’t many differences, as I feel like Sam was born to play Jamie, with the subtle difference that he is 3cm shorter than his character. But in Claire we do see more differences between the one in the book and the one in the series?”
The fan continued, “That doesn’t mean Cait doesn’t play a great role, I adore her. But when I read, it’s a different Claire. Although I have no references. Do you know any famous women that you use as a reference when you imagine Claire because you feel that she is much closer to the one in the books? Or are you just imagining Cait?”
Fans quickly took to the forum to share their thoughts, with many pointing out that while Balfe’s acting is exceptional, her physical appearance doesn’t quite match the book’s description of Claire Fraser.
One fan expressed, “I don’t see Cait, no. Specially bc Jamie talks a lot about her big a– and hips and Cait… well, she is a very skinny legend supermodel with the longest legs ever. She is almost as tall as Sam.”
Another agreed, stating, “No I have a different image for Claire. She’s supposed to her head in the middle of Jamie’s chest when they stand or lay together. Cait is too tall to be Claire. And the eyes.”
A fan chimed in, “Yes! How many times does Diana write eyes the color of “verra fine whiskey”?” Another added, “I’ll get downvoted for this, but you asked. I picture Cait, but it’s disappointing that’s she’s so thin. I roll my eyes when I read the books and Jamie talks about her round a– lol.”
“I don’t picture Caitriona, I picture her as described. Book Claire looks nothing like Cait. The height, and especially the height difference with Jamie, her hair color is described as medium brown and Cait’s is close to black, and of course the eyes and lack of curviness (particularly the plump arse) are totally different,” another fan contributed.
One person suggested, “I always picture Jessica Raine, the actress who played Jenny Lee on Call the Midwife.” While some fans had their reservations, others were all in for Balfe’s depiction of Claire. The series led many viewers to Diana Gabaldon’s novels, with Cait becoming the definitive Claire for them.
One fan expressed, “I love the way she’s described in the books as quite curvy (because I can relate, lol, and it makes sense for Jamie’s character to be attracted to a curvy woman esp in that time period) but I loved Cait’s performance so much that I just picture her.”
Another chimed in with humor, “I picture Caitriona as Claire, as I saw the show before I read the books. I don’t mind her height as it’s nice to see romantic character representation for tall women. As with the books and in rl, the tiny women generally get the tall guys.”
A third fan shared, “I see Cait because the show led me to the books, but my book Claire is so much more than show Claire.” Yet another reader reflected on their personal experience, “I have my own versions of all the characters in my mind when I read. Nothing against the actors. Most of them are fantastic. But the book characters are different people to me.”