After successfully reviving a sci-fi classic, Ron Moore will take on time travel and romance in his next TV project, and he already has his leading man.Moore will be the head writer and co-executive producer (along with Jim Kohlberg) for the series Outlander, based on the series of romantic novels written by Diana Gabaldon. It’s the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. She meets Jamie Fraser, a young Scottish clan lord with a complicated past and a sense of humor.  Even though they come from different eras, she’s attracted by his qualities that would be ideal in any man. While Claire is torn between getting back to 1945 and staying with Jamie, he’s concerned about trying to get back to his ancestral farm and escaping those who want to capture him.

Moore is best known for the re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica, which became a successful series for SyFy. He also worked on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

When the project was announced, people wondered who could be the ideal Jamie Fraser. Then they saw Moore’s choice, Sam Heughan. He was best known for roles in the BBC soap opera Doctors, and several TV roles. Moore knew that Heughan was the perfect choice. “From the very beginning, I knew the part of Jamie Fraser would be difficult to cast,” Moore said.  “I had no one in mind for the part.  I knew that someone would just come into the audition and be Jamie Fraser.  And that’s what Sam did.”

Galabldon, meanwhile, was very happy with the choice: “Oh. My. God. That man is a Scot to the bone and Jamie Fraser to the heart. Having seen Sam Heughan not just act, but be Jamie, I feel immensely grateful to the production team for their painstaking attention to the soul of the story and characters.”

Production will start this fall in Scotland by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining & Supply Company and Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television.

The series will air on STARZ sometime next year.

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