Sophie Skelton's Outlander Journey: From Fan Doubt to Fashion Icon
When Sophie Skelton was cast as Brianna Fraser in the smash-hit television series Outlander a decade ago, the show's predominantly female fanbase initially deemed her all wrong for the role. Devotees of US author Diana Gabaldon's novels, which inspired the TV adaptation, argued that the Cheshire-born actress was miscast as the American Amazon-like character, known for her red hair and blue eyes. As a slim, 5ft 7in brunette, Skelton simply did not match the physical description from the books.
'People have been reading these books since before I was born, so they really cared about Brianna and found those differences a hard pill to swallow,' Skelton explains, her Northern accent lightly audible. 'I was only 21 and it wasn't easy to take that much criticism.' Her performance also faced scrutiny, with a 2016 Vulture review of the season two finale noting she was 'the first major cast member to inspire doubt' in the show, while Vox declared her 'horribly miscast'.
Producers' Faith and Fan Turnaround
Despite the initial backlash, producers remained convinced that Skelton's combination of 'strength, steeliness and warmth' could carry the complex role. Their confidence proved justified, as even the most vocal cynics were rapidly won over after she joined the series. The drama, which has attracted 30 million viewers worldwide on Netflix alone and is also broadcast on platforms like MGM+ in the UK, is now preparing for its eighth and final season.
Over the past decade, Outlander has consistently won Critics' Choice awards and generated more than half a billion dollars in global streaming revenue for Netflix from 2020 to 2024. However, the genre-busting series has often flown under the radar, with fans accusing major awards shows of snubbing Starz, the smaller US streaming platform where newer episodes exclusively air. Some attribute this oversight to the show's female-focused themes.
Life Beyond the Highlands
Now 31, Skelton plays the daughter of 18th-century Highland warrior Jamie Fraser, portrayed by Sam Heughan, and time-travelling 20th-century nurse Claire Beauchamp, played by Caitriona Balfe. Their relationship spans historical events like the Scottish Jacobite rebellion and the American War of Independence. Reflecting on her time on the show, Skelton admits feeling like a time-traveller herself, having spent her entire twenties on sets in the Highlands and Glasgow.
The 'Outlander effect' is estimated to have boosted Scottish tourism by £140 million annually, with visitor numbers surging 60-fold since the drama debuted. Now, Skelton is navigating a new chapter in her life, having moved back to London and recently rented a flat in Manhattan in July 2025. Despite earning serious money from the series, she is saving by avoiding parties, preferring strolls with her Great Dane Loka, whom she describes as 'my therapy animal'.
Emotional Farewell and Future Projects
On the last day of filming Outlander, Skelton recalls tears flowing as she shot her final scene. She spotted her on-screen mother Caitriona Balfe watching, and after finishing, they shared a glass of champagne in the make-up trailer. Later, they joined Sam Heughan for a family hug, marking an emotional end to their decade-long collaboration. Skelton describes Balfe and Heughan as 'both quite childlike, in a cool way,' noting their protective nature and shared experiences over the years.
Post-Outlander, Skelton has been exploring new opportunities, including a film role in I Can Only Imagine 2, a biopic about US Christian rocker Bart Millard, filmed in Nashville. She is now deciding on her next project, emphasizing the importance of doing something different after playing one character for so long. 'I can't be too picky. But having played one character for so long, I feel it's important to do something different,' she says, laughing at the idea of no more corsets.
Personal Insights and Advocacy
Skelton's empathy extends beyond acting, as seen in her preparation for a 2018 scene where Brianna is raped. She researched 'tonic immobility,' a survival response where victims shut down, to portray the scene authentically. Although the scene was cut due to complaints about 'too much rape' in the show, Skelton was disappointed, having invested deeply in representing sexual assault victims. She also advocated for realism in a season four scene where Brianna loses her virginity, ensuring it reflected healthy communication for young viewers.
Growing up in Woodford, near Stockport, Skelton was the daughter of toy inventors Simon and Ruth, who designed board games for Disney and Hasbro. Despite a colourful childhood filled with Disney and Marvel characters, she now prefers a minimalist aesthetic in her London home. Her early life was also marked by her mother's breast cancer diagnosis, which led to her being largely raised by her father, a dynamic that caused tension during her teenage years but has since improved.
Looking Ahead
As Outlander approaches its final season on MGM+ from Saturday 7 March, Skelton remains focused on her future. With over 700,000 Instagram followers and a presence on fashion front rows at brands like JW Anderson and Richard Quinn, she has carved out a significant profile beyond the series. Her journey from fan doubt to fashion icon underscores her resilience and talent, promising exciting developments in her post-Outlander career.
