Now settled on Fraser’s Ridge in North Carolina, the American Frasers consist of Claire and Jamie’s children, grandchildren and other extended members who—even if they’re not exactly related—are just like close kin. Meanwhile, Jamie’s ancestral clans started in Scotland: Jamie is a part of the Fraser clan on his father’s side, and the MacKenzie clan on his mother’s. Outlander fans first met the MacKenzies of Castle Leoch in Season 1: the Laird, Colum MacKenzie (Gary Lewis), and his brother, Dougal (Graham McTavish), are Jamie’s maternal uncles (they both died at the end of Season 2). Then, we were introduced to the Frasers: Jamie’s sister, Jenny (Laura Donnelly), her husband, Ian Murray (Steven Cree), and their children live at Lallybroch, the home of Jamie’s now-deceased parents. In addition, Jamie’s beloved godfather-slash-his father’s cousin, Murtagh FitzGibbons Fraser (Duncan Lacroix), was always at Jamie’s side—sadly, he died last season. In Season 2, viewers also met Jamie’s paternal grandfather, Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat (Clive Russell), nicknamed “The Old Fox,” who—fun fact!—was a real historical figure. Unfortunately, when Claire and Jamie settled in America, they had to leave most of the old clan in Scotland behind. But, they did manage to gather their closest loved ones around them, as well as some new to the crew. In anticipation of Season 6, which premieres Sunday, March 6 on Starz, let’s refresh our memories about just how everyone is connected with a who’s-who of the Fraser clan on Outlander!
Outlander Fraser family tree
Jamie Fraser
James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser is the head of the new Fraser “clan” in America, and a man of many names and occupations. Back in the Scottish Highlands, he was Laird of Broch Tuarach, another name for his estate of Lallybroch. In Season 2, just before the Battle of Culloden, he signed over the estate to his nephew, Young Ian Murray, so it wouldn’t fall into British hands if he was caught. After surviving Culloden, he became a fugitive known both as the Dunbonnet and Red Jamie, before being caught and sent to Ardsmuir Prison, later working as an indentured stablehand at Helwater Estate. Twenty years after Culloden, he opened a print shop under the name A. Malcolm (his middle names), which is how Claire found him. In America in Season 4, Claire and Jamie first built a small cabin on a lovely spot they named Fraser’s Ridge. In Season 5, we saw their grand manor house constructed. Jamie has recruited other Scottish immigrants to live and work on the land, creating a new tribe, village and community.
Claire Fraser
Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser is a 20th century woman, healer and doctor who’s traveled over time and space, and may finally have found where she belongs. A World War II nurse married to historian Frank Randall (Tobias Menzies), she discovers mysterious standing stones in Scotland which transport her back 200 years, where she meets Jamie and his Scottish clans. They marry, and she becomes Lady Broch Tuarach. Jamie and Claire have a stillborn daughter, Faith; when Claire becomes pregnant again, Jamie sends her back through the stones to the 20th century to protect her from the Battle of Culloden, where he believes he will die. Back in modern times, Claire has the baby, Brianna, who she raises with Frank. She eventually goes to Harvard Medical School and becomes a doctor, which comes in handy when she returns to Jamie and the 18th century after 20 years. Her new home in colonial America includes treating patients and even making penicillin from moldy bread.
Brianna MacKenzie
Brianna Randall MacKenzie (Sophie Skelton), the daughter of Claire and Jamie, is named after her paternal grandfather, Brian Fraser. Conceived in the 18th century, a pregnant Claire traveled forward to the 20th century to give birth to her, so she’s called a “200-year-old baby.” When Claire returned to Frank, he agreed to raise the child as his own—but only if she is never told about her true parentage. As often happens, though, the truth eventually comes out. After Claire returns to the past to find Jamie, Brianna discovers some information she needs to share with Claire—a report of her and Jamie’s deaths. So she makes a plan to also travel through the stones, an ability that is apparently genetic. She finds her parents at Fraser’s Ridge, has a touching first meeting with her birth father, Jamie, who she grows to call “Da,” and settles there with her own new family. In Season 5, though, she attempts to go back to the future through the stones—but for some reason, she can’t. We’ll find out more in Season 6.
Roger MacKenzie
Roger Wakefield MacKenzie (Richard Rankin) also has a zany time-traveling genetic history. His ancestor is the illegitimate child of Jamie’s uncle Dougal MacKenzie and Geillis Duncan (Lotte Verbeek), who is actually Gillian Edgars, a time traveler from 1968. Their child, William Buccleigh MacKenzie, was raised by another MacKenzie family. This makes Roger very distantly related to Brianna, as his ancestor was Brianna’s great uncle (got that?). Fast forward to the 1940s, and Roger’s parents are killed during World War II. He’s raised by his uncle, the Reverend Reginald Wakefield (James Fleet), who is friends with Frank Randall. We first see Roger as a child in Season 1. We next meet Roger as a grown man at the end of Season 2, when Claire and Brianna travel to Scotland for the Reverend’s funeral in 1968. Roger and Bree form an attachment, and begin dating. He also meets his ancestor, Gillian Edgars, before she travels back in time. Roger later follows Brianna through the stones himself—again, it seems that because his ancestor Geillis/Gillian could do it, so can he. A fun Easter egg last season had Roger meeting a now-grown William Buccleigh “Buck” MacKenzie, his ancestor and the son of Geillis and Dougal—played by none other than Graham McTavish, who previously played Dougal. Roger marries Brianna, who is pregnant; but whether the child, Jemmy, is his or the pirate Stephen Bonnet’s (Ed Speleers), who sexually assaulted her, is unclear. Either way, Roger will raise Jemmy, but when Jemmy appears to have time-traveling powers, it speaks to his being Roger’s biological son. Roger, along with Bree and Jemmy, attempt to go back to the future through the stones, but can’t.
Fergus Fraser
Jamie and Claire first meet Fergus (Romann Berrux) as a street urchin and orphan in Paris in Season 2, and hire him for hispickpocketing talents to help Jamie with some political intrigue. The mischievous, charming child becomes an all-around assistant to Jamie and Claire, who he calls ‘Milady,’ but eventually becomes more like a son to the couple. Fergus had a difficult childhood even after he’s taken in by the Frasers, as he’s molested by the sadistic British soldier Black Jack Randall, and loses his hand in a squabble with another British soldier. But Fergus maintains his indelible spirit and remains loyal to his adopted family, and they to him, into adulthood (in which he’s played by César Domboy). In one of the most heartfelt moments of the show, Jamie officially gives Fergus the Fraser name before his wedding in Season 3, when he marries Jamie’s stepdaughter, Marsali. The couple settles with Claire and Jamie on Fraser’s Ridge, where they expand their growing family. Fans can expect a major dramatic storyline for Fergus in Season 6.
Marsali Fraser
Marsali (Lauren Lyle) is not only Fergus’ wife, but Jamie’s stepdaughter. Here’s the interesting connection: In Season 3, during the 20 years when Claire and Jamie were separated, Jamie married Laoghaire MacKenzie (Nell Hudson), Claire’s old rival from Season 1. She had two daughters from a previous marriage, Marsali and Joan—who were the main reason a lonely Jamie, missing the daughter he never knew, married Laoghaire. He was able to be the girls’ stepfather, at least while the marriage lasted, which was not long. Marsali is not a fan of Claire, who she sees as an interloper when she returns and puts a formal end to Jamie’s second marriage. Marsali does, however, fall in love with Fergus, which is kind of strange because they are both Jamie’s children—but they were never raised together (Fergus is older) and are from different parts of his life. Fergus and Marsali cross the Atlantic with Claire and Jamie, and the women have a chance to get over their initial dislike. In America, Marsali has children and becomes an apprentice to Claire in her surgery, after Claire sees her butchering meat without batting an eye. Marsali is fierce and fiery, and becomes one of the best characters on the show in Season 5—she even commits murder to avenge a savage attack on Claire and protect her from further harm.
Young Ian Murray
Jamie’s nephew, Young Ian (John Bell), is his sister Jenny’s son—and the reason that all of them are in America in the first place. While attempting to retrieve some hidden treasure on a small island off the coast of Scotland, Young Ian is intercepted by a pirate ship and taken prisoner. Claire and Jamie, feeling responsible as they were the ones who had him swim to the island, take the next ship out to chase after him. After rescuing Young Ian from none other than Geillis Duncan, now a wealthy plantation owner in Jamaica, Claire, Jamie and the rest of the gang are shipwrecked in America. Young Ian settles with them, but eventually goes to live with the Mohawk after they capture Roger, and Young Ian offers himself as a trade. Later in Season 5, Young Ian, who has become immersed in the Mohawk culture, returns to Fraser’s Ridge, bearing some secrets.
Aunt Jocasta
Jamie’s aunt Jocasta MacKenzie Cameron Innes (Maria Doyle Kennedy) is the sister of his mother and his uncles, Colum and Dougal. She came to America with one of her four husbands and became a wealthy and powerful plantation owner (slavery becomes a point of contention between her and Jamie). She has lost her sight, and also suffered the tragic death of her daughter when she was shot during an altercation with the British before the family left Scotland; her other two daughters died during the Jacobite rebellion as well. In Season 5, Jocasta and Jamie’s godfather, Murtagh, fall in love—but as he is involved in fighting the English, she decides she can’t go through yet another rebellion after the tragedies of her past. Instead, she marries another man, Duncan Innes, who becomes her fourth husband.
Lord John Grey
The next few characters on our list aren’t related by blood, marriage or adoption, yet they are hugely important to the Frasers and have become like family. Jamie first meets Lord John Grey (David Berry) as a teen and spares his life; many years later, the two find themselves at Ardsmuir Prison, where Jamie is being held and where Lord John is commander. They form a bond that ends up lasting for many years. Lord John also raises Jamie’s illegitimate son, William, after his mother and her husband die soon after his birth, and Lord John marries his mother’s sister (who also later dies). But Willie doesn’t know Jamie is his biological father—if the truth came out, Willie would lose his position and inheritance. Also very much worth noting here: Fan favorite Lord John Grey may also be getting his own spinoff series, based on Outlander author Diana Gabaldon’s spinoff book series.
Lizzie Wemyss
So far, Brianna’s maid, Lizzie (Caitlin O’Ryan), has been a minor character (although her actions have had some major consequences), but if Season 6 follows the books, Lizzie is in for bigger storylines to come. After traveling back in time, Brianna met Lizzie in Scotland and hired her as her servant for the crossing to America, where she settles on Fraser’s Ridge with the rest of the family.
Josiah and Keziah Beardsley
We met these twins (played by the same actor, Paul Gorman) in Season 5, but like Lizzie, they may have bigger storylines to come in Season 6.Josiah first comes to Claire for medical attention, and later reveals to Jamie that he and his brother Kezzie, who is deaf,are indentured servants to the cruel Mr. Beardsley. Claire and Jamie are able to get their release papers, and the twins settle on the ridge, now part of the extended family clan. In Season 6, if the show follows the books, fans can expect a surprising storyline involving both twins and Lizzie. Stay tuned! Next, find out what Sam Heughan says about Jamie Fraser’s Season 6 journey on Outlander—plus, which co-star calls it his fave season yet.
