10 Shows & Movies Similar to Outlander (2014)

Description: Rome and Outlander both offer a gritty, detailed look at historical periods, with a focus on the lives of both the elite and the common people. Both series blend personal drama with large-scale historical events, and their production values are exceptionally high, with meticulous attention to period detail.

Fact: Rome was a co-production between HBO and the BBC. The series was one of the most expensive TV shows ever made at the time. Many of its sets were later destroyed in a fire, which contributed to the show's cancellation after two seasons.

Description: The Tudors and Outlander both delve into the personal and political lives of historical figures, with a strong emphasis on romance and intrigue. Both series feature lavish costumes and sets, and their narratives are driven by the charismatic yet flawed protagonists at their centers.

Fact: The Tudors stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII. Despite its historical setting, the show took many creative liberties with the timeline and events. Natalie Dormer, who plays Anne Boleyn, later starred in Game of Thrones.

Description: The Borgias, like Outlander, is a historical drama filled with political machinations, family drama, and romantic entanglements. Both series feature strong, ambitious characters who must navigate dangerous power structures. The opulent settings and costumes are another point of similarity.

Fact: The Borgias was created by Neil Jordan and stars Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI. The series was filmed in Hungary and Slovakia. It was originally planned for four seasons but was canceled after three due to high production costs.

Description: Vikings shares with Outlander a focus on historical authenticity, epic storytelling, and the exploration of different cultures. Both series feature protagonists who are warriors and leaders, with personal and political struggles driving the narrative. The blend of action, drama, and romance is another common element.

Fact: Vikings was created by Michael Hirst, who also wrote The Tudors. The series is loosely based on the sagas of Viking Ragnar Lothbrok. Much of the show was filmed in Ireland, where the landscape doubled for Scandinavia and England.

Description: The White Queen and Outlander both explore the lives of women in historical periods fraught with political upheaval. Both series highlight the strength and resilience of their female protagonists, who must use their wits and charm to survive. The blend of history, romance, and drama is a strong common thread.

Fact: The White Queen is based on Philippa Gregory's Cousins' War novels. The series was a co-production between the BBC and Starz, the latter of which also produces Outlander. It was filmed in Belgium to save on production costs.

Description: Black Sails and Outlander both combine historical settings with high-stakes drama and complex characters. While Black Sails focuses on pirates and Outlander on time travel, both series explore themes of loyalty, survival, and the clash of cultures. The production values and attention to historical detail are similarly high.

Fact: Black Sails serves as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. The series was filmed in Cape Town, South Africa. It was praised for its realistic portrayal of pirate life and its strong female characters.

Description: Reign, like Outlander, blends historical drama with romance and political intrigue. Both series feature strong female leads navigating treacherous courts and love triangles. The focus on period costumes and settings, albeit with a modern twist, is another point of similarity.

Fact: Reign is a highly fictionalized account of Mary, Queen of Scots' early years. The show's costumes were intentionally anachronistic to appeal to a younger audience. Adelaide Kane, who plays Mary, is Australian but mastered a Scottish accent for the role.

Description: Poldark shares with Outlander a sweeping romantic narrative set against a historical backdrop. Both series feature passionate love stories, dramatic landscapes, and protagonists who return from war to find their lives drastically changed. The emotional intensity and strong character development are key similarities.

Fact: Poldark is a remake of a 1970s BBC series. The show was filmed in Cornwall, England, where the original novels are set. Aidan Turner, who plays Ross Poldark, became a heartthrob for his shirtless scything scenes.

Description: Like Outlander, The Last Kingdom is a historical drama with a strong focus on war, romance, and political intrigue. Both series feature a protagonist who is torn between two worlds and must navigate complex relationships and loyalties. The Last Kingdom also shares Outlander's emphasis on detailed period settings and costumes.

Fact: The Last Kingdom is based on Bernard Cornwell's The Saxon Stories series. The protagonist, Uhtred, is loosely based on a real historical figure. The series was initially produced by BBC Two before moving to Netflix.

Description: The Spanish Princess, like Outlander, is a historical drama centered on a strong-willed woman navigating a foreign court. Both series emphasize the personal and political challenges faced by their heroines, with lush production design and detailed period costumes enhancing the storytelling.

Fact: The Spanish Princess is based on Philippa Gregory's novels The Constant Princess and The King's Curse. It is part of Starz's The White Queen anthology series. The show features a diverse cast, a deliberate choice to reflect historical accuracy regarding the multicultural nature of medieval courts.