Outlander star Sophie Skelton has explained how the upcoming season 6 will address the brutal attack in season 5’s finale. The historical drama, based on the ongoing novel series of the same name, first premiered on Starz in 2014. Outlander quickly generated strong ratings among audiences and loyal fans, in addition to critical acclaim, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations over the course of its five completed seasons. The show, initially set in 1945, follows Claire Randall, a married World War II military nurse in Scotland who is mysteriously transported back in time to 1743 Scotland. There, she falls in love with Jamie Fraser, a Highland warrior, and becomes entangled in the Jacobite rising. In addition to Skelton, who has portrayed Brianna Fraser since season 2, the series stars Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan as her parents, Claire and Jamie, as well as Tobias Menzies, Graham McTavish, Richard Rankin, and David Berry, among others.
The Outlander season 5 finale featured the violent assault of Claire after she was kidnapped by Lionel Brown and his pack. Her torment at the hands of Brown was shown on screen, though when he allowed the rest of his gang to follow suit, what happened next was left unseen. During the final episode, there were moments depicting Claire’s attempts and struggles to survive against her captors to no avail, and after Brown’s men approached her, the next time she is shown is when Jamie and his followers came to rescue her. Outlander‘s treatment of sexual assault scenes has been noted for being more sensitive than some of its contemporaries, but the attack on Claire was an unsettling moment for both Outlander and its fans. It left many wondering how her character will recover, and how those closest to her will be affected; especially Brianna, since the two have had rough patches in their relationship.
In a clip from the Starz YouTube channel, Skelton explained that Outlander season 6 will be hard on Claire following her attack, but that Brianna will be there to help care for her. Skelton’s character was assaulted in Outlander season 4, and the actor says in the video that she will have great deal of understanding for what her mother is going through. She states that Brianna will be “keeping a close eye” on Claire and that she believes she can really help her. Read Skelton’s full quote about Brianna and Claire’s season 6 relationship below:
“Season 6 really does pick up for Brianna personally in a way of, very much, keeping a close eye on her mother, but not in a way where she feels sort of suffocated by Brianna’s care. Brianna has huge empathy for what Claire’s going through, and she can recognize little signs that maybe other people can’t.”
The most recent Outlander season 6 clip, in which Claire and Jamie share a touching moment, gives fans the sense that the series will handle the aftermath of the attack carefully. Ahead of its March 6 premiere, the clip that was released featured Jamie reminding Claire that she is always with him and calling her an angel, before the two affectionately kiss. Balfe has also mentioned how Claire will be different in this coming Outlander season, saying that viewers will find the always strong character now at her most vulnerable, processing and coping with the trauma experienced.
A unique addition to the genre and a fulfilling adaptation for fans of the novels, Outlander has maintained a consistently strong and effectively dark story through five seasons. With the announcement of an Outlander season 7, the series has even more room to grow, and it will be interesting to see how Claire progresses as a character following the events of season 5, and how her relationship with Brianna evolves, as Skelton’s comments indicate it will. Fans of the show can expect Outlander to continue exploring the outcome of Claire’s attack, including how it will affect those she loves and what it changes about her character, in the no doubt emotional upcoming episodes.
Source: Starz
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Author: Brady Entwistle
