As diehard fans, we did a little digging and found some excellent placeholder TV shows to help fill that Jamie-sized void during this difficult period. Fortunately, time-traveling Outlander covers so much ground in time and genre—fantasy/sci-fi to historical romance to female-focused, character-driven drama, with settings in Scotland, England, France, the Caribbean and America in the 1700s, post-World War II and the swinging ’60s—that there are tons of shows that tap into at least part of what makes it so spectacular. Check out our favorite shows like Outlander, and beware of some minor Outlander spoilers ahead.
Best TV Shows like Outlander
Poldark
Downton Abbey
Timeless
For a lighter take on time travel, try this NBC show, which performed a little back-in-time magic of its own when fan outcry actually reversed its second season cancellation. (Although ultimatelyTimelessfinally died after season 2, it scored a wrap-up TV movie, all now on Hulu.) A team of time-travelers uses an actual time machine to chase bad guys through different historical periods, meeting some real-life characters along the way. It’s missing the gravitas of Outlander but it’s a lot of fun, and the love story isn’t bad either.
The Crown
Carnival Row
The White Queen
If Outlander made you want to learn more about British history, check out fellow Starz series The White Queen, and its sequels The White Princess and The Spanish Princess. You’ll be able to name all the kings and queens of this pre-Outlander period after watching. (Fun fact: The Spanish Princess character Margaret Tudor’s marriage to Scottish King James IV gave descendent Bonnie Prince Charlie his claim to the British throne.) The history is a bit complicated, but the sex and intrigue makes it all worthwhile for Outlander fans.
Versailles
Speaking of sexy royals, if you’re partial to the opulent and indulgent Parisian court of Outlander season 2, head on over to the risqué (if historically inaccurate) Versailles, now on Netflix. The three-season show follows the exploits of the French “Sun King” Louis XIV, predecessor of Outlander’s devious King Louis XV. This racy melodrama doesn’t have quite the same depth as Outlander fans are used to; and the characters look a little too freshly scrubbed for a historical drama (even if they are aristocracy). But with gorgeous locations and lots of dangerous liaisons, it’s still a fun diversion.
A Discovery of Witches
With witches, vampires and other fantastic beasts, BBC import A Discovery of Witches, based on Deborah Harkness’s All Souls book trilogy, is heavy on the magic—but also on the chemistry between the two leads. Vampire Matthew Clairmont may be way more dark and mysterious—and dangerous?—than Jamie, but that only makes his forbidden love affair with witch/Oxford scholar Diana more pulse-pounding. There’s only been one season so far, currently available on AMC Premiere/Sundance Now; but rumor has it season 2 has the lovers taking an Outlander-worthy time-traveling trip to 16th century London.
Victoria
Black Sails
If you loved the Pirates of the Caribbean feeling of Jamie and Claire’s seafaring adventure in Outlander season 3—not to mention those below decks love scenes—check out swashbuckling series Black Sails, about pirates searching for treasure and battling the British Empire. It’s Starz, so you know it’s going to be a little cheesy and a lot sexy, but that’s part of its appeal. And if some of the sets look familiar, it’s because Outlander borrowed some of their ships for the season 3 voyage.
His Dark Materials
HBO series His Dark Materials, based on Philip Pullman’s fantasy book series, is decidedly family-friendly, so in that way it couldn’t be more different from Outlander. But alternate worlds connected by one (or more) mysterious portals? Sounds surprisingly familiar. It features appearances by stage and screen champion Lin Manuel Miranda and Scottish heartthrob James McAvoy, sadly not using his native accent but instead a British one. For a thrilling fantasy epic, this show fits the bill.
Doctor Who
Call the Midwife
Recalling Claire’s mid-20th century days as a nurse and doctor, female-centric British period drama Call the Midwife, on PBS and Netflix, follows a group of midwives in the poor East End of London post-World War II. The characters have Claire’s smarts and spunk even as they deal with heartbreaking medical situations and a society that wasn’t always so friendly to career-focused women—or women in general. Claire would be proud!
Westworld
This HBO fantasy series is another that explores different times and places, although to explain even the basic plot may give away spoilers if you haven’t seen it from the beginning. It’s fun to see what worlds the show will come up with next, but Westworld is also a thoroughly engrossing character drama with strong female leads. This puzzle box of a show where nothing is as it seems is brutal, complicated and just as stimulating as Outlander fans require.
The Last Kingdom
Go back to a much earlier period in British history with Netflix series The Last Kingdom, about the conflict between Saxons and Vikings. It has a similar wild and rugged feel as Outlander’s Scotland seasons. There are also lots of gory battles reminiscent of Culloden, just in case that’s your jam; and copious love scenes to boot. Plus, lead actor Alexander Dreymon is not a bad replacement for Jamie!
Shetland
Shows set in Scotland are scarce (believe us, we checked), so although this mystery drama doesn’t have much in common with Outlander, it will fulfill your longing for sweeping Scottish vistas and lilting Scottish accents. Plus, the intriguing cases will definitely draw you in, especially if you’re also a fan of British crime drama. Shot all over Scotland, the show takes place in the Shetland Islands off the northern coast. Unfortunately, Shetland has left Netflix, but you can access it through BritBox.
The Tudors
OK, we’ve got to go back for some more British kings and queens. The Tudors reigned right before the Stuarts (you know, “Bonnie Prince Charlie and all that lot,” as Frank would say), and famously included Henry VIII and his six wives. If this sounds like a dull history lesson, trust us, it’s not. Look for Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, portrayed by Maria Doyle Kennedy, a.k.a. Outlander’s Aunt Jocasta, in this Showtime series, also available on Netflix.
12 Monkeys
Can you actually change history? That’s the question Jamie and Claire are faced with in Outlander, as are the main couple in under-the-radar time-travel series 12 Monkeys, which aired for four seasons on Syfy (now available on Hulu). A visitor from the future and a present-day doctor try to stop a deadly virus—and in later seasons, other threats to humanity’s survival—while making stops in other time periods along the way. This show also scores points for its love story and character development.
Game of Thrones
Chances are you’ve probably already seen the biggest fantasy epic of the decade, but it might be worth a rewatch during Droughtlander. Although the HBO series doesn’t have that much in common with Outlander (except Tobias Menzies again, as Catelyn Stark’s younger brother Edmure Tully, the Red Wedding groom who returns for the final episode), Game of Thrones is prestige television at its finest—if you don’t count the misplaced Starbucks cup that made it into one of the final episodes. With an alternate universe; magic; battles; and badass female characters in Arya Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, Cersei Lannister and Sansa Stark, there’s plenty here to keep Outlander fans enthralled.
Home Fires
Turn
Although many Outlander fans thought the U.S.-set fourth season was not among the series’ strongest, those drawn in by the colonial intrigue will appreciate AMC’s American Revolution spy series, now on Netflix. Although it plays fast and loose with facts, Turn is actually based on a real-life espionage ring. It follows a farmer who becomes sympathetic to the patriots’ cause and agrees to spy for General George Washington (who has also made an appearance in Outlander). Given Jamie’s similar covert actions in season 4, will he become a spy as well in season 5? We’ll have to wait until February 16 to find out. Still can’t wait any longer for Outlander? Try Men In Kilts.
