Outlander producer on why the Fraser house is different from the books
By Ariba Bhuvad
Outlander fans pay attention to every detail in the series, which is one of the reasons I love about being part of the fandom. Luckily for us, the production team does a marvelous job of giving us exactly what we want.
However, sometimes, things have to be moved around or altered because of logistics. During the season 5 premiere, “The Fiery Cross,” we finally see the Fraser family house, and it’s huge. In the books, however, this house on Fraser’s Ridge is made to sound smaller.
Executive producer Matthew B. Roberts explained to Entertainment Weekly why they had to go big with the house. “I’ve seen a few people on Twitter saying, ‘Hey, that looks like a big house,'” he recalled. “If we built it to the actual size, we could get the actors in there but we couldn’t get any cameras or crew.”
As huge fan of books, I thought life at Fraser’s Ridge S5 looked a bit too settled, polished, prosperous for backcountry NC 1770. Things were leaner, rougher in the books. Then I reminded myself “This is TV version. Enjoy the visual feast. Let @jongarysteele work his magic.”
— Great Aunt Edna (@GreatAuntEdna) February 16, 2020
Can you imagine everyone trying to squeeze into a tiny little room? Kudos to the team who put this house together, because it’s unbelievable.
Question for @TheMattBRoberts or @jongarysteele
— LI Peaker Karen🥰 (@TheLooMom3) February 18, 2020
Is "The Big House" on Fraser's Ridge an actual house with real rooms, etc. or just a facade and the rooms are sets someplace else? Either way, it's gorgeous!!#Outlander pic.twitter.com/HCKSzpt7zw
“When Jon Gary Steele designed the big Fraser house, I saw some that were like, ‘Oh, that’s not what the way I pictured it,'” Roberts continued. “I’ve fallen in love with the big house. And I think when looking at images of the time, of the period and what houses looked like, you hope people respond like, ‘Okay, yeah, I can see this.'”
"The house has to look good on camera, and it also has a function…So anytime you see a scene where it’s just Jamie and Claire, there’s another 15 people standing just opposite them with two cameras, directors, supervisors… a lot of people. I think Gary and his team did a fantastic job of creating something."
Agreed! Steele and his team have built something that Outlander fans can be proud of, even if it’s not the exact thing we imagined when reading the novels. There will always be tweaks when the story is brought to life on screen, and if any show knows how to stay true to the spirit of the source materials, it’s Outlander.
In addition to the production design, I also love this season’s costume design. Richard Rankin, who plays Roger MacKenzie, snapped some amazing photographs of his castmates in their Outlander best. Check them out:
No. words.
We see you Lord John Grey, and you are looking great. Can you get your own spinoff series, please?
This one just might be my favorite of the bunch. Talk about perfect lighting!
Next up, Fergus looks pensive in the gathering twilight:
When the event should have started hours ago, but you’re still waiting to walk down the aisle.
Thinking about how she’ll tell Fergus she’s expecting again…
Last but by no means least:
We can all thank Richard Rankin for these beautiful behind-the-scenes pictures. Here’s to hoping there’s more where they came from!
Next. Can the Avatar sequels topple Avengers: Endgame at the box office? Joe Russo weighs in. dark
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