Thread by @ScotExpress

#Outlander : The truth behind real historical figures who appeared in hit show 🧵

#Outlander is one of the biggest TV shows in the world and #OutlanderSeason6 is currently proving a hit with fans.

While the vast majority of the show's characters are fictional, there are some based on real people back in the 18th century.
scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/tv/outlander-t…

1. Bonnie Prince Charlie

Charles Edward Stuart was played by English actor Andrew Gower in 11 episodes across series two and three.

Jamie Fraser, played by Scots actor @SamHeughan, becomes his confidante in the lead up to the Jacobite rebellion.

Stuart has become a romanticised figure in Scottish history. His dad was James Francis Edward Stuart, who was thought by the #Jacobites to be the true heir to the thrones of Scotland, England and Ireland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇪

2. Marie Louise de La Tour d'Auvergne

Played by French actress Claire Sermonne, Marie Louise de La Tour d'Auvergne appeared in five episodes in season two where she befriended Claire, played by @caitrionambalfe, and had an affair with her cousin Charles Edward Stuart.

Her marriage prospects were of much interest, even to the likes of Louis XV of France, played by Lionel Lingelser.

She survived smallpox in 1746 before starting her passionate affair with Stuart and even bore him a child

She started sleeping with her husband Jules Hercule Mériadec de Rohan (played by Howard Corlett) to hide her infidelity. d'Auvergne was forced to end her relationship with the Young Pretender in 1748. Her son by Charles died aged just five months.

She was never unfaithful again

3. Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat

Jamie's grandfather in the show was no fictional character. Known for his abrasive personality, Simon Fraser is played by popular Scots actor Clive Russell in season two where Jamie tries to persuade him to back the Jacobite cause.

In 1715, Fraser had supported the Hanovarian claim to the crown but changed his mind in 1745, fighting for the Jacobites.

He was captured 5 months after Culloden and tried as a traitor. Lovat now has the title of being the last prisoner executed by beheading in Britain.

4. Comte de Saint Germain

Played by Stanley Weber, the mysterious Comte de Saint Germain is one of the antagonists of season two, becoming an enemy to Claire and Jamie. He is also a time traveller, like Claire.

Saint Germain was a European adventurer, with an interest in science, alchemy and the arts.

A composer of dozens of pieces of music, he claimed to be the son of Francis II Rákóczi, the Prince of Transylvania.

He tried to broker peace between France and England.

He died in 1784

5. William Tryon

The Governor of North Carolina who appeared in season four was played by English actor Tom Downie.

In reality, Tryon was best known for his time as being the 39th governor of New York from 1771 to 1777, a period that included the American Revolution.#Outlander

He set up the first postal service in North Carolina but his brutal suppression of the Regulator Movement is said to have had an impact on the road to war.

He moved to New York in 1771 where his harsh conduct was criticised by both sides.

He died in London in 1788.

TLDR;
- The hit show #Outlander features a number of real-life characters
- From Jacobite generals and supporters to players in the American Revolution, the show expertly brings fact and fiction together.

Would you like to see more of the American Revolution in Outlander?