We are constantly reminded that the trade-off to Claire and Jamie’s everlasting relationship is constant sacrifice; for every delightful sex scene these two have, it’s usually a sign that more trouble is on the way.
Practical and independent nurse from the 1940s who finds herself in the Scottish Highlands in the 1740s. Already married to Frank Randall, she falls in love with Jamie Fraser and becomes his wife in the past. She is a gifted natural physician and an amateur botanist, skills that can appear to be witchcraft in the 18th century.
A young Scottish redhead with a complicated past and a disarming sense of humor, Jamie is intelligent, principled, and, by 18th century standards, educated and worldly. He falls in love with Claire. He has the title Laird of Broch Tuarach, the Fraser home. His wife, Claire Fraiser, is accorded the title Lady Broch Tuarach.
Claire's husband in the 20th century is a history professor with a deep interest in his genealogy and heritage. He worked for MI6 during World War II.
Frank Randall's ancestor, a British army officer. According to Jamie Fraser the "Black" refers to the color of his soul. He bears a strong resemblance to Frank Randall because the same actor plays both parts.
Claire and Jamie's daughter, raised in 20th century Boston as Frank's child.
The adopted son of Reverend Wakefield, directly descended from Dougal MacKenzie and Geillis Duncan. As an adult, he meets and becomes involved with Brianna.
Irish smuggler and pirate that Jamie and Claire encounter many times. The encounters are never good.
The wife of the procurator fiscal who possesses knowledge of the use of herbs and plants for healing. Having an affair with Dougal MacKenzie, she is pregnant with his child when imprisoned for witchcraft. Her pregnancy wins a brief reprieve on her death sentence. Claire learns that Geillis is a time traveller from the 1960s. In 1968, Geillis (whose 20th century name is Gillian Edgars) murders her husband, Greg Edgars, in a ritual to travel back through the stones.
Jamie's godfather is taciturn, but very loyal to Jamie and Claire and is one of only a few people from the past to know the truth about Claire.
Jamie Fraser's aunt, the youngest sister of Ellen, Colum, and Dougal MacKenzie. She has a plantation and owns slaves.
French orphan named Claudel whom Claire and Jamie take in, and rename Fergus Fraser.
Laoghaire MacKenzie's elder daughter by Simon MacKimmie. She marries Fergus Fraser and learns to be a nurse from Claire.
Youngest son of Ian Murray and Jenny Fraser (Jamie's Sister).
Sixteen-year-old English soldier who chances upon Jamie and Claire on the eve of the Battle of Prestonpans. Jamie spares his life, and this debt is repaid later as Grey's elder brother, the Earl of Melton, spares Jamie from execution after the Battle of Culloden. Years later, an adult Lord John becomes the governor of Ardsmuir Prison, where he and prisoner Jamie begin an unlikely but complicated friendship.