Outlander mystery behind Jamie Fraser's ghost finally 'uncovered'

Outlander: Season seven part two teased in trailer

It is nearly 11 years since the hit series Outlander first captured the imagination of television audiences, with Diana Gabaldon's novel preceding it. The debut episode cast a shadow of mystery when Frank Randall, (played by Tobias Menzies), saw a kilt-clad figure peering at his wife Claire (Caitriona Balfe) as she undressed, only for the figure to vanish when challenged.

Subsequent revelations made it clear this enigmatic figure was none other than Jamie Fraser, (Sam Heughan), to whom Claire becomes wed in the past. Yet the show has never explicitly resolved how Jamie's spectre could manifest in the present.

The enigma has remained a tantalising topic among the fanbase. A Reddit discussion suggests an elegant resolution as one fan posted: "He says when she goes back that if he has to endure 200 years of purgatory to see her again he's OK with that, his 200 years are up and the first thing he does is find her. At least that's the explanation I'm expecting."

Another enthusiast, Long-Rest-9298 echoed this sentiment: "That's what i believe as well! They'll always find each other!"

Adding to the conversation, HighPriestess_55 recalled Jamie's words to Claire about serving two centuries in purgatory before their reunion, suggesting the answer was always straightforward and perhaps overthought by devotees: "Doesn't Jamie tell Claire he will serve his 200 years in purgatory, and then find her again? After death? I think it really was that simple, and fans harp on it."

Caitriona Balfe hinted there's a "reckoning" between Claire and Jamie (Image: Starz)

Outlander fans 'work out' truth about Jamie's ghost (Image: Starz)

An enthusiast concurred: "I personally do think it's Jamie's ghost, he waited 200 years for her, just like he told her before he sent her back. But I think it's important because his ghost showing up is what steered her to him, like he called to her. It can be just his ghost and also incredibly important to the story."

The seventh season of Outlander is currently captivating audiences on Starz, while the eighth and concluding series concluded filming in November.

Outlander fans 'work out' truth about Jamie's ghost - and there's a 'simple' explanation (Image: Starz) window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20241210.min.js" SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Caitriona Balfe, teasing the drama ahead in the current season, suggested a significant "reckoning" awaits Claire and Jamie.

Speaking to TV Line, she revealed: "It's sort of reminiscent of those big fights of old," adding, "It's that kind of laying down where your boundaries are, and not shying away from declaring your love, but also not accepting somebody taking advantage of it or treating it as less than it should be treated."

Outlander season 7 continues Fridays on Starz