Outlander,
Foxtel, Showcase
Monday, 7.30pm
SERIES three of Outlander has hit our shores in a blaze of publicity and in a way, this is the series that fans of the books have been waiting for. It is also the one that offers the most challenges for the actors and crew.
Here is a love story where the two central protagonists are no longer in the same place, country or even time.
Based on Voyager, book three of Diana Galbaldon’s series it follows the aftermath of the battle of Culloden for both Clare (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan). With two seasons under their belts both Balfe and Heughan have really inhabited their characters now in a show which has been ground-breaking – portraying love scenes from the female gaze and bringing a strong female character to the centre of a story. Combining science fiction and historical fiction, it has proven to be one of those successful book adaptations – much-loved as a book series and maybe even more so as a television series.
This, though, is the make or break series. In just a few weeks it will progress 20 years before bringing the two star-crossed lovers together again until then the cast and crew must cross 200 years in each episode and keep the characters believable while ageing them all up.
It also introduces Lord John Grey (Australian David Berry – A Place to Call Home) probably one of the most popular characters in the book series. His introduction has been long-awaited and one that has been subject to a lot of speculation.
So far it has remained gritty, well-acted and believable despite an unbelievable premise.
– Tania Phillips
