Outlander isn’t just for women of a certain age. Outlander fans under 30 are joining the fandom in droves. Here’s a look at why millennials love Outlander.
My mom loves Outlander. Her friend who got her into Outlander loves it. All the ladies I hang out with at Outlander events and San Diego Comic-Con love it.
And what do these lovely ladies have in common? They’re over 30 years old.
I made this observation not too long ago and couldn’t help but wonder…As a 24-year-old myself, are there other people my age who are fans of Outlander? What is it about the books and TV series that attract my generation? So I did some scooping to find out.
Not only did I discover a plethora of Outlander fans under 30, but these fans are doing awesome things with their fandom! Read on to see why and how 20-somethings are expressing their love for Outlander.
Rachel Dillon, 24
I was 18 when my mom came home very excited. Her coworker had told her about a book series called Outlander that was being turned into a TV series, and suggested that we read the books and check it out before the show launched. It was historical fiction, it was a romance, AND it was set in Scotland?! Sign us up!
We read up to Dragonfly in Amber before the show launched, and when it finally did we were blown away. The detail and wonder of the scenery, costumes, acting, and THE MUSIC. I could listen to soundtrack all day, every day. We may have been hooked before but now we were hooked, lined, and sinkered!
Outlander has snuck into my life and my family’s in ways I didn’t expect. My parents went on their 30th wedding anniversary to Scotland because of Outlander. We buy more plaid things because of Outlander. I made “Je Suis Prest” my motto for college graduationr. I go to San Diego Comic-Con every year because of Outlander. It’s become so ingrained in my life now, that it could never leave.
Jami Larpenter, 29
I was 25 when I got into Outlander. My favorite part is how love is portrayed: it’s genuine and endures all. I tell everyone who will listen about it. Also my grandma has made me a few Outlander shirts that I wear almost everywhere!
Jaella Kreh, 27
My husband and I both got into Outlander when it first aired. I love the story between Jamie and Claire, and I really just tell EVERYONE to go watch Outlander!
Sara Myrick, 27
I was 22 when I got hooked; I’ve been into historical fiction since I was about 17-18. When I was looking for new books on my Nook I got the preview for Outlander. I thought it was a romance novel so it took me a while to actually read the preview. The moment I did, though, I was hooked! I couldn’t stop raving about it to my husband, so he went out and bought me the entire series. The theme song of the show is my ringtone, and I talk about the books and show frequently to anyone who will listen.
This series actually gave my step-mother and I a little connection. She started reading it back when the books were first coming out. When she heard how much I loved them, it gave us something in common, which I found amazing because as much as I love her we are such completely different people. Outlander is able to bring so many age groups together, which I think is fantastic!
My favorite part is hard to decipher. The depth of the story and range of it all just sucks me in. And I love all the bits of history. I hated history as a kid but historical fiction has gotten me to start researching history on my own and I love that Diana Gabaldon stays as close to the history as she can with her stories. You really get a feel for how things were without being bored to tears. I have done everything from cry to laugh out loud to gasp in horror at different parts. And there is so much detail in the books that no matter how many times I read them there are always little tidbits I must have missed when distracted or forgotten.
Jess Moore, 29
Although I had heard about the show a couple of years ago, I just got into Outlander in April, when I was 28. My favorite part is how Diana wrote the books to paint the picture so perfectly. I’m an audiobook listener and I listened to the first four books before Outlander came out on Netflix. Since then I’ve binged all 4 seasons. Now when I listen to the books, I can see the actors in their roles!! Also, I love that it’s a story about true love! I’m a hopeless romantic and the relationship between all the couples just pulls at your heart!
How do I share? Does telling everyone I meet about Outlander count? LOL but really it has put me in touch with my heritage and helped form my wedding by using Scottish touches. I’ve started drinking whisky, and I’m buying a dress from Torrid for my bridal shower! I also joined the Heughan’s Heughligans and bought the T shirt (literally and yes pun intended!). I’m also spending two weeks in Scotland for my honeymoon
Ashley Niswanger, 27
I started watching Outlander when I was 24 after my sister told me she had just started reading the book. I binged seasons 1 and 2 and was in love! That wasn’t enough for me so I started reading the book and continued through the whole series. It quickly became a reading race since my sister and I were both reading at the same time, and even with her having more free time to surpass what I was reading, I found myself staying up till 2 or 3 in the morning because I couldn’t put it down, and was passing her up. It was so exciting to read and talk about it with her. I was always excited when I read something jaw-dropping, and would have to text her real quick to see where she was so we could talk about it.
I’ve always enjoyed reading books, mostly young adult romances, but this is like nothing I’ve ever read before. Diana is amazing at drawing you into the story — the details, the suspense, and her writing style will truly ruin you for other books LOL! I’ve never loved a book series this much. I’m currently on my 4th or 5th reread of all eight books and the LJG novellas. I just finished watching a rewatch of all seasons of the show; I’ll rewatch those over and over, especially the first season.
My favorite part is all of it! How can I choose? I love Scotland and want to visit it now. My sweet puppy I bought is a West Highland Terrier named Piper Mackenzie. Outlander is addictive! LOL I love Jamie and Claire and their relationship, the romance of it all.
I don’t really dress “Outlander” or have anything that shows off that I’m an “obsessenach.” I’m just part of the Outlander Cast book and show group. I enjoy seeing everyone post and the discussions. It’s nice to have a place where we can all come together and talk about what we love.
Niha Patil, 23
I started reading the books when I was 23. I don’t suppose I wear any merchandise as that is sort of unavailable where I live here in Mumbai, India. I am part of Outlander-themed groups online, however!
Nikki Forrest, 27
I found the Outlander TV series when I was 24 and soon after fell in love with the books.
I’m always a sucker for a good romance and excellent character development, but what I love about Outlander is the historical and cultural research Diana has done. She is masterful in her weaving of the fictional story with historical fact. I am Scottish through ancestry (Stewart) and am a history nerd, so Outlander hooked me from the beginning.
I share my Outlander fandom mostly through word of mouth. I get so excited about what I’m reading/watching that I can’t hold it in! I have thought about getting a car sticker…
Natalia Alonso, 19
I first started watching Outlander at 18 and that’s when my interest in the story first began, later leading me to read up until Drums of Autumn in less than 2 months. (At least for now, I plan on reading all of them). My favourite thing about Outlander most certainly is the fact that it has a historical background, and in the middle of it there’s the love story between Claire and Jamie (main story), which is something that can inspire us in a way.
I don’t own anything that can be considered merch, mainly because here in Brazil it’s not that famous so not that many things related to the show are sold. I am a part of a WhatsApp group focused on the TV show, because there aren’t any local clubs for the fans where I live.
Marilu Castellon, 26
I got into Outlander about two years ago when I was 24. I love the time travel fantasy part of the Outlander stories. I actually have a couple shirts from Hot Topic, some earrings and a skirt. I know what you mean about most fans being over the age of 40. Funny story is I got one of my friends to love Outlander and she just moved to study in Scotland this past summer! Yay Outlander books!
Amanda Steed, 23
I’m from Calgary, Alberta Canada. I’ve known about Outlander for four years; my stepmom had read all the books so I had seen them around the house. I am an avid reader myself but for some reason never seemed interested in Outlander.
Last year my roommate and I were in the theaters and saw the movie trailer for The Spy Who Dumped Me and I mentioned to my roommate that the main actor was very attractive. Right away she told me I had to watch Outlander because I would love Sam Heughan. We went right home and started to binge-watch the series on Netflix. I did nothing that week except watch the entire first three seasons. I was HOOKED. When Droughtlander hit, I was so lost! So I turned to my mom’s collection of the books and began reading. I read them almost just as fast as I had watched the show!
My roommate and I talk about the series and the books all the time and for Christmas, we splurged and got the Jamie cardboard cutout from Amazon as a fun way to always have Outlander with us! We didn’t have a Christmas tree so instead, we hung lights around Jamie and gave him a Santa hat and put all our presents under him. We even found hilarious memes of the show and would print them out and hide them around the house for each other to find.
What I Iove about Outlander is that there is something for everyone, whether you love the romance, the history, the drama, suspense or more. It isn’t intended for one fan base but for anyone and everyone. I recently discovered podcasts and found Outlander Cast. It is a fun way to relive the series in a new way that isn’t re-watching or re-reading. It has helped me understand or get a new perspective on the content and I have been listening to them whenever I am in my car.
Hannah Jo Hillyard, 26
Noam Hezroni, 19
I got into Outlander at 16 years old when a friend of mine recommended the series (she was even younger when she started!). My favorite part about Outlander is the history. I’ve always been drawn to historical fiction and Diana Gabaldon implements both Scottish history, and later on American history in such interesting ways! I’ve also always loved time travel and I have yet to find another book/series that tops Outlander in time travel! I’m a part of multiple Outlander Facebook groups, both a local one and many general ones, I recently started collecting the Outlander trading cards (with the minimal funds a college student has), and I own a “Craigh Na Dun: Traveler Society” hoodie that I love to wear. It always excites me when people ask me questions about it and I get to talk about my favorite books and TV show!
Katie Dildine, 28
I started reading when I was 25. My favorite part of Outlander honestly is Claire and Jamie’s relationship, not necessarily for the “smut” but rather for the strength of them together. They work so well together. I have the Fraser clan kilt pin in a bandana in my car, as well as their stole. My fiance and I also performed a handfasting ceremony!
Sam Stuhler, 27
I got into Outlander when I was 23. My favorite part has to be the history and real characters that are intermingled into it. I’ve always loved historical fiction so to be able to have these real pieces of history in the books (instead of them just being fantasy) makes it feel all the more real and lets me connect them to other pieces of media. One example of this is with Hamilton: with Hamilton, General Lafayette, George Washington etc. fighting at the Battle of Monmouth, as well as Jamie, it makes me feel like characters from things I like all know each other!
I have a few shirts, have a tote bag, talk about it loudly when I’m out and apparently it’s interesting enough that people ask what I’m talking about and a conversation starts up LOL. I’ve got several of the Torrid merch pieces, and I went to a con where I met Richard Rankin!
Nicole Carbone-Hash, 29
I’ve been an Outlander fan for the past five years. I love that the show incorporates historical, supernatural, and romantic elements. I’ve read the first book but prefer to listen to the audiobooks and am currently on A Breath of Snow and Ashes. I really enjoy watching the show too and when it’s on, I follow several fan-based podcasts that recap the episodes. I can’t wait for the next season!
Janine Coelho Jones, 25
I just got into Outlander last year. Gosh, my favorite part about Outlander….that is tough because there is so much to like. So the top three things I love are:
1) Jamie and Claire’s love is portrayed in a realistic way and allowed to mature
2) Scotland
3) the music
I share Outlander with pretty much every friend by showing them the first episode when they come over. I also purchased quite a few of the Hot Topics selections. I went in the red dress for Comic Con with my husband and felt like a million bucks. Most of all, we recently got back from a trip to Scotland.
Laura Ashley Richter Braithwaite, 24
I started watching Outlander when I was 20. I love a lot about it, but I think my favorite part is the attention to detail and the scenery. I’m part of a few Outlander fan clubs, have a Heughan’s Heughligans shirt I constantly wear and have recommended the show/books to many friends. I have also designed a few Outlander tattoos for some people.
Orange at the wing tips is the alchemist symbol for mercury and represents Master Raymond. The lime green three dots on the two forward wings represent Claire, Jaime, and Frank. The blue symbol is actually the letters J and C for Jaime and Claire. The darker green in the head is the standing stones placed in different angles, some being connected. The pink is a triskelion representing two things: the old Gaelic fairy stories and Jaime’s three children, Brianna, Faith, and William. The orange in the center thorax is a star to represent the travels they go on: time travel, France, Scotland, the Carribbean, North Carolina/America.
You can check out my other artwork on Instagram
Ivette Reyena, 28
I just found Outlander on Netflix this past July and I finished season 4 in August. My favorite part is when Jamie takes Claire to Craig Na Dun but she decides to stay with him. I don’t own anything like a shirt but since I finished the series I have bought the books because I can’t get enough of it. I also tell everyone about it and follow the fan pages as well as the actors on social media
Chelsea Leach, 25
I just came to the Outlander series in April after visiting Scotland. A couple of the locals turned me on to it, and I fell down the proverbial rabbit hole!
My favorite part of Outlander? Geez, where to begin? The books are extremely well written. Being an aspiring writer myself, I can’t help but admire Diana’s intricacy and detail. Her descriptions are out of this world. But if I’m honest, what has the greatest hold on me is the characters. I feel like there is a little bit of me in all of them whether it’s Claire’s impulse to speak her mind, Roger’s historian streak, or Brianna’s desire to work with her hands. I think I most identify with Jamie: loving, passionate, a strong sense of responsibility, and a temper to boot (me to a tee).
The Torrid Outlander line is fabulous, and I did buy a sweater just last night! But, I primarily share my passion for Outlander through The Clan Gathering and Book Club on FB. That and talking about it to anyone who will listen.
My hope is to get someone close to me to eventually read the books and/or watch the show! That way I’m not alone in my obsession anymore…
Oh, and I’m planning a return trip to Scotland soon for an Outlander tour or two in the near future!
Andy Serrato, 26
I must’ve been 22 or 23 when I first heard of Outlander. I learned about it through a YouTuber who shared her love for the books and then I ventured into the show.
My favorite part about Outlander? That’s a tough one, because everything is amazing! I love the show but I love the books just as much. I love being able to sit down and watch Outlander and forget about the world for a minute. Both the show and the books are captivating and entertaining. I also love learning about history. Outlander has opened up my eyes to the beautiful history of Scotland. I don’t have any stickers on my car or Outlander merch, I do, however, own many of the books and even ventured trying to find first editions. I also keep the Entertainment Weekly magazines with the cast on the covers. I also try to dress in a vintage style and this started because of Outlander. I love the ’40s and I dress in that way every once in a while. I get a lot of my inspiration from Outlander.
Paulina Kušnerovien?, 29
I was 25 years old when I got into Outlander. My husband wanted to find some kind of TV show that would be interesting for both of us, so he offered me Outlander mainly because of historical facts in it. He secretly thought that the love story would attract my attention better too! After first episode, I became obsessed. There were already two seasons on Netflix at that time so we watched them in a week, and after that I ordered the first four books to catch up with the TV show and to know what will be in season 3. Right now I’m reading The Fiery Cross!
All my friends already know that I’m obsessed with Outlander, so they send me gifts from Scotland that usually are associated with Outlander: earrings, bracelets and so on. Also, I have Mitsubishi Outlander car! Last year, my husband made a special plate in my car to hang that says “Dinna fash, Sassenach!”
Bailey Goebel, 29
I found out about Outlander this year when it came to Netflix. I think my favorite part about Outlander is the chemistry between Claire & Jamie. However, what really draws me to the show is the time travel. I think a common want for millennials is that we wish times were simpler (in regards to less technology). It’s so fascinating learning and seeing how life was back in the 18th century. People were able to be human then and have human interactions. They weren’t distracted by technology 24/7. They were able to experience life as it happened rather than through a screen. And that’s something that is incredibly hard to do now.
I’m part of the Outlander Cast Facebook group, but I’ve yet to find any Obsessenachs in my city!
Isabelle Reynolds, 21
I learned about Outlander from all the ads on Facebook and started reading and watching this past spring, when I was already 21. My favorite part about Outlander is the mixing of real historical events with fiction and a little bit of magic thrown in. I very much enjoy seeing a woman from the 1940s having to adjust to the 1740s time and culture (I am a history major in college and always have to deal with biases and making sure to not use my own opinions in current day conditions when studying things from the past). It also like being able to learn about the basics of a history I am personally unfamiliar with while enjoying a compelling story that hooks me from the get-go. I didn’t even know the Jacobite Rebellions were a thing until this show. I also very much enjoy the music in the show — band kid over here LOL! I have a pin I bought from Hot Topic that I have on my purse and I have also encouraged several friends to begin watching the show; my best friend started three days ago and she’s on episode 12 of Season 1 already!
Are you a Outlander fan under 30? How did you discover the books and/or TV show, and what are your favorite parts?
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