Sophie Skelton (Brianna) discusses the highs and lows of Outlander fame

Outlander star Sophie Skelton has risen to the top of the show’s ranks as her character Brianna has become an integral part of the storyline. I think many would argue that it took some time to get used to Brianna, her attitude, and overall demeanor, but I’ve definitely come around. Brianna is a strong, unbreakable woman who’s been through more than most. Between the time travel, learning about her real father, falling in love, the unfortunate Stephen Bonnet incident, and basically moving to the past, it’s not been easy.

Skelton talked about her Outlander journey with Town & Country. I was surprised to learn that Skelton’s connection with Brianna Fraser began in 2014 when she first auditioned for the role but didn’t hear back for a long time. Of course, this wasn’t due to her lack of talent, but rather because producers wanted to hold off on the Brianna storyline.

"I think the first time I auditioned for Brianna was about 2014, and then I didn’t hear anything for a year. There aren’t many times where you really feel protective over the role. For some reason, I really did for Brianna. You go on so many auditions and often you don’t hear anything, and that’s fine, but this one actually really hurt."

But fate had something else in store for her, and before she knew it, she was on Outlander as Brianna Randall/Fraser/MacKenzie (you know what I mean). “I was like, ‘Oh. Sometimes it can be as simple as that.’ You have to have such a thick skin because there are so many cogs turning that you don’t know about.”

In Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander novels, Brianna isn’t described as someone who looks particularly like Skelton, who doesn’t have red or was as tall. But at the end of the day, none of that mattered, according to executive producer Maril Davis.

"There just aren’t a lot of 6-foot-tall redheads. We sent the book description along [to casting director Suzanne Smith], but at the end of the day we wanted the best actor for the role. […] Obviously, Sophie’s not 6 feet tall and doesn’t have red hair, but Sam Heughan doesn’t have red hair either, and that’s a hurdle we overcame. And we were really blown away by her performance. There was a strength to her and a steeliness, but she was also able to bring some warmth to Brianna that I think is necessary because Brianna is a very strong character, but you want that strength to come across in a way that you’re rooting for her."

There’s something about the way Skelton plays Brianna that just fits perfectly with the show, like a puzzle piece. She brings the confidence of the woman she grew into during her own time, while still maintaining an innocence that goes with her age. It’s incredible how much Skelton brings to the mix, and I’m constantly in awe of her.

Skelton is well aware of the passion of fans like me. “Without those fans, we wouldn’t be where we are,” she said. “I think it’s brilliant. I love how passionate they are about something. I don’t think there was ever a show where I was that sort of fanatic about it.”

Of course, while fans adore Skelton, there’s a price that comes with being so visible. People often forget that the actress is not the character, which can get intense at times. “Just give the girl a break,” said Skelton. “I feel very protective of Brianna and I feel like she gets some bad press, but she’s really the female Jamie. I think what people think looks very sexy and brooding on an 18th-century 6-foot-whatever Highlander, once you put that on a 16-year-old girl, people just think, oh, she’s bratty and mean and rude. But, you know what? She’s had a tough life.”

Preach, Skelton, Preach!

Of course, Brianna had to deal with a very horrendous and brutal situation involving Stephen Bonnet, who raped Brianna during season 4. It was a tough scene to watch, and was filmed in a way that we didn’t see the incident but heard every moment of it. It was also a moment that changed the course of Brianna’s life forever.

Davis explains how the producers went about approaching this difficult scene, and how they wanted viewers to process it.

"I think people sometimes watch this series from a contemporary viewpoint. [The ask,] ‘Why didn’t anyone call the police and why didn’t anyone do anything?’ I think that’s what we’re trying to show that this is a different time period. Things were different. People’s viewpoints of things were different. How they treated women was different. It wasn’t right, but it was the reality."

Obviously, this isn’t something Skelton takes lightly. I can’t having to figure out how to portray that kind of pain on-screen. “More than in the book we have carried her PTSD through from season four, which is something I fought for,” Skelton said. “It’s not just like it happens in one episode and we’re done with it. We show the brutality of rape and the aftermath, the trauma, and the PTSD. We never glorify it.”

Because of the sensitivity of these issues, Skelton did her due diligence (and continues to) to make sure she understood what survivors go through. I commend her for putting that heart and thought into it.

In fact, before the season 5 premiere, Skelton tweeted a trigger warning in regards to a flashback scene of Brianna’s rape. She even provided the number for the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) helpline to those who may need it.

“It is a shame in a way that that there is so much [sexual violence in the show] because I do think it must be tremendously difficult for some people to watch, but I think the way Outlander handles it is ultimately good,” Skelton said.

"I think we live our traumas and our joys through characters. I just hope that it helps more than hinders people."

And what does the rest of season 5 has in store for Brianna? Skelton just has one thing to say. :Brianna’s work is not done.”

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