Outlander TV series vs. the books: Understanding the change to the months

Outlander TV series vs. the books: Understanding the change to the months

As a seasoned gamer of both books and TV shows, I find myself constantly navigating the intricate landscapes of narrative continuity. The case of Outlander, a series near and dear to my heart, is no exception. The shift in timeline between the novel and the first season has always piqued my curiosity.


In the realm of Outlander, there’s much debate concerning the timelines. Some of these discrepancies trace back to the very beginning, for there are variations between the timeline in the initial book and Outlander Season 1.

In May 1945, the storyline of the initial novel takes place, although certain editions alter this to May 1946. It’s essential to note this discrepancy, as we have previously explored its rationale.

Instead of postponing its premiere to May 1946, the TV show opted to set the original tale in October 1945 instead. What prompted this change?

Outlander Season 1 filmed in the fall

The straightforward reason is because of the shooting schedule. Outlander Season 1 was filmed in autumn 2013 in Scotland. Trying to depict autumn in Scotland as spring would have been extremely challenging, particularly given all the outdoor scenes. So, it was more practical to advance the storyline to October instead.

Transitioning from summer to autumn in the realm of literature isn’t dramatically transformative. Interestingly, it provides an opportunity to subtly address or resolve a minor plot inconsistency within the narrative.

In May 1945, instead of enjoying their honeymoon in Scotland, it’s more likely that Claire was still attending to wounded soldiers on the Western front. It was during this time that she learned about the end of World War II, with VE Day being celebrated on May 8th, 1945. Given this timeline, it seems highly unlikely that Claire and Frank could have been honeymooning around Beltane, which falls at the beginning of May.

Even in October, things would likely have been challenging for Claire and her group. They wouldn’t have simply returned to Britain straight away. Frank was probably handling other matters, and rationing continued into October 1945. A vacation during that time seems unlikely, but it’s more plausible than a trip in May 1945.

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2024-08-20 13:37