There is ONE show that I tend to recommend to everybody and that is Outlander. No matter your interests or preferred TV genre - I really believe this series has something for everybody. Sitting at a crisp 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, Outlander has elements of history, sci-fi, action, romance, drama and so much more.
If my initial pitch hasn't sold you, here are 8 reasons you should start watching Outlander:
1. Caitriona Balfe as Claire Fraser
Our leading lady plays the headstrong, confident Claire Fraser (often referred to endearingly by the male lead as Sassenach - meaning "outlander.") This gorgeous actress/model steals the show with her performance as Claire, a WWII nurse who is transported suddenly to days of yore. Claire is fierce, complex, lovable, and an absolute pleasure to watch.
2. Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser
The redheaded Jamie Fraser is absolutely *chef's kiss*. Not only Sam Heughan a beautiful specimen, he is a phenomenal actor. From light scenes to very dark occurrences, Sam is able to fully convince the viewer that his character is living through these moments. A++ casting.
3. Men in Kilts
I'm a sucker for plaid and tartan, and my-oh-my do these men wear them well.
4. Timeless Love
I don't just mean this in the sense that the show has elements of time travel, but many of the featured romantic storylines are so raw and real. Outlander doesn't romanticize relationships, but depicts them as they truly are - often messy, hard work, and rewarding. Not to mention, some of the love scenes are…*spicy*.
5. Scottish Accents
While I must admit that I had to turn on subtitles for the first few episodes to understand what the heck some of the characters were saying, there's something about these highland accents that are completely hypnotizing and sexy.
6. Scotland
The Scottish Highlands is an absolutely breathtaking backdrop for this series. From the gorgeous mountain ranges to the expansive lochs, Outlander showcases the absolute beauty of Scotland.
7. The History
I love historical fiction, and Outlander shines bright among this genre. The story depicts one of the lesser known events in the UK's history (at least, from an American's standpoint), and does so featuring characters that aren't notable figures. You get more of a sense of how common people lived, as opposed to one more retelling of a noble's life.
8. The Dynamic and Diverse Storyline
It is hard to assign one genre to Outlander because it does a variety so well. Outlander features an enviable love story AND intense battle scenes. It dives deep into the most deprived acts of humankind AND has moments of comedy. I can say with confidence that no other show I have seen portrays the whole spectrum of the human condition such as Outlander.
Truly, this show is like no other. The first time I watched about a year ago, I didn't just binge it on Netflix I consumed it. Quickly, Outlander usurped Supernatural as my favorite TV series (which is REALLY saying something considering Supernatural was my favorite for almost a decade, and had been my biggest inspiration for writing.)
To be honest, I'm not sure why you're still reading this when you should have Outlander queued up by now.
P.S. Did I mention men in kilts?
