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50 Things You Never Knew About the Making of 'Outlander'

Everything from the epic costumes to the sex scenes.

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By Ruby Buddemeyer
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Starz

With season three rapidly approaching, we took a deep-dive into the making of Outlander. Ahead are the 50 craziest facts you never knew about the show—including a few spoilers for the upcoming season.

1 of 50
<p>Gabaldon was particularly drawn to the character <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/746875/Outlander-Doctor-Who-Jamie-Fraser-Frazer-Hines-Sam-Heughan-Patrick-Troughton" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">Jamie McCrimmon.</a></p>
Author Diana Gabaldon was inspired to write 'Outlander' by an episode of 'Doctor Who.'

Gabaldon was particularly drawn to the character Jamie McCrimmon.

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2 of 50
<p>Katherine Heigl was <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/03/movies/03heigl.html?_r=4&amp;pagewanted=2" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">rumored to play Claire.</a></p>
'Outlander' was originally going to be a movie.

Katherine Heigl was rumored to play Claire.

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3 of 50
<p>The department is comprised of multiple rooms, all loaded with gowns and shoes. It's so big and complex that costumer designer <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a28610/outlander-season-three-set-visit/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">Terry Dresbach started a digital inventory</a> system called "Mother" to keep track of everything.</p>
The 'Outlander' costume department is *massive.*

The department is comprised of multiple rooms, all loaded with gowns and shoes. It's so big and complex that costumer designer Terry Dresbach started a digital inventory system called "Mother" to keep track of everything.

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4 of 50
<p>"It gets painted, it gets sprayed, it gets torched. We do everything," Dresbach <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a28610/outlander-season-three-set-visit/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">told us</a>.</p>
Every single costume is hand-dyed and aged—no details go overlooked.

"It gets painted, it gets sprayed, it gets torched. We do everything," Dresbach told us.

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5 of 50
<p>Yes, <em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor"><a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a28610/outlander-season-three-set-visit/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">12.</a></em>&nbsp;</p><p><span class="redactor-invisible-space" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></p>
Claire's main 18th century outfit has 12 multiples.

Yes, 12. 

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6 of 50
<p>The couple met on the&nbsp;set of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/19/arts/television/behind-outlander-on-starz-true-hearts-in-the-highlands.html" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">HBO's <em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">Carnivàle</em></a>&nbsp;in 2003.</p>
Dresbach is married to the show's executive producer Ronald D. Moore.

The couple met on the set of HBO's Carnivàle in 2003.

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7 of 50
<p>When casting for Jamie began, <a href="http://www.eonline.com/photos/13223/25-fascinating-facts-about-outlander/40358" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">Liam Neeson</a> and Sean Connery were the first contenders.</p>
The casting was a long process.

When casting for Jamie began, Liam Neeson and Sean Connery were the first contenders.

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8 of 50
<p>Heughan interviewed with executive producer Maril Davis and co-executive producer Ira Behr, and they immediately felt that <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/10/inside-outlanders-hunt-for-claire-fraser" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">they had found their Jamie.</a></p>
Sam Heughan eventually landed the role after a Skype interview.

Heughan interviewed with executive producer Maril Davis and co-executive producer Ira Behr, and they immediately felt that they had found their Jamie.

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9 of 50
<p>Before she saw Heughan's audition&nbsp;tape, Gabaldon looked up his IMBD. Her reaction to his photos? <a href="https://www.list.co.uk/article/76660-interview-diana-gabaldon-on-sam-heughan-i-was-sitting-there-typing-this-man-is-grotesque-what-are-you-thinking/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">"This man is grotesque,"</a> which has now become a running joke between the two.</p>
But, Gabaldon wasn't initially convinced.

Before she saw Heughan's audition tape, Gabaldon looked up his IMBD. Her reaction to his photos? "This man is grotesque," which has now become a running joke between the two.

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10 of 50
<p>Just three weeks before production,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/10/inside-outlanders-hunt-for-claire-fraser" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">Caitriona Balfe booked the gig.</a></p>
The casting of Claire took much longer than anticipated.

Just three weeks before production, Caitriona Balfe booked the gig.

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11 of 50
<p>The set is loaded with <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a28610/outlander-season-three-set-visit/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">fake dead bodies</a> for battle scenes.</p>
The props are incredibly realistic looking.

The set is loaded with fake dead bodies for battle scenes.

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12 of 50
<p>Every meal you see on the show is <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a28610/outlander-season-three-set-visit/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">real.</a></p>
But, 'Outlander' doesn't use prop food.

Every meal you see on the show is real.

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13 of 50
<p>Unsurprisingly,&nbsp;they find it <a href="http://ew.com/article/2015/07/10/outlander-sam-heughan-commando/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">very comfortable.</a></p>
The actors go commando under their kilts.

Unsurprisingly, they find it very comfortable.

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14 of 50
<p>In "The Gathering," she&nbsp;had two lines as <a href="http://ew.com/article/2014/08/27/outlander-diana-gabaldon-cameo/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">Iona MacTavish.</a></p>
Gabaldon made a cameo in an episode.

In "The Gathering," she had two lines as Iona MacTavish.

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15 of 50
<p>Any shirtless or backless scenes need to be <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a28610/outlander-season-three-set-visit/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">filmed first.</a></p>
The silicone scars that cover Jamie's back are so fragile, that they require special care during filming.

Any shirtless or backless scenes need to be filmed first.

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16 of 50
<p>The scars take hours to apply—<a href="http://www.designntrend.com/articles/45856/20150330/outlander-star-sam-heughan-talks-misery-putting-makeup-hit-starz-tv-series.htm" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">every, single time.</a></p>
Heughan is also the actor who needs to stay in makeup the longest.

The scars take hours to apply—every, single time.

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17 of 50
<p>The letters helped the actors feel <a href="http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-04-04/caitriona-balfe-on-her-outlander-romances-it-isnt-just-two-people-bonking/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">less awkward</a> around a full camera crew.</p>
Balfe and Tobias Menzies (Frank) used to write love letters to each other in character before filming sex scenes.

The letters helped the actors feel less awkward around a full camera crew.

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18 of 50
<p>At first, Eastern Europe and New Zealand <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/10/inside-outlanders-hunt-for-claire-fraser" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">were possibilities.</a></p>
Although Gabaldon's story was set in Scotland, scouting the location wasn't an easy process.

At first, Eastern Europe and New Zealand were possibilities.

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19 of 50
<p><a href="http://nerdist.com/behind-the-costumes-outlander/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">Even the extras</a> have to wear them.</p>
Every female cast member wears a corset.

Even the extras have to wear them.

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20 of 50
<p>The crew completely <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a28610/outlander-season-three-set-visit/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">redesigned it.</a></p>
In season 3, the Boston set will be made from Claire and Jamie's home in Paris.

The crew completely redesigned it.

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21 of 50
<p>The show is proving that a female-centric show <a href="http://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/q-and-a/a27764/hot-guy-cold-drink-sam-heughan-interview/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">doesn't drive away</a> a male audience.<br></p>
Although the lead character is a female, men make up 50 percent of the 'Outlander' U.S. audience.

The show is proving that a female-centric show doesn't drive away a male audience.

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22 of 50
<p>The crew pays attention to the smallest details to make sure every set reflects an 18th century setting. They even tweak <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/10/inside-outlanders-hunt-for-claire-fraser" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">windows, roofs, and shutters.</a></p>
Shooting a historical show in 2017 means the crew is constantly tweaking their set.

The crew pays attention to the smallest details to make sure every set reflects an 18th century setting. They even tweak windows, roofs, and shutters.

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23 of 50
<p>At this point, we <a href="http://people.com/style/outlanders-sam-heughan-the-worst-thing-about-wearing-a-kilt-is-exactly-what-you-think/" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">can't picture him</a> any other way.&nbsp;</p>
Heughan is naturally blonde, but he dyes his hair red every two episodes.

At this point, we can't picture him any other way. 

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24 of 50
<p>"This is terrific stuff for an actor, amazingly heavy material," she told <em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor"><a href="http://www.vulture.com/2015/06/outlander-author-diana-gabaldon-on-book-changes.html" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">Vulture.</a></em></p>
Gabaldon's favorite scene from season 1 was Jamie's rape.

"This is terrific stuff for an actor, amazingly heavy material," she told Vulture.

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25 of 50
<p>To recreate authentic lighting, L.E.D. and fluorescent lights <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/10/inside-outlanders-hunt-for-claire-fraser" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">are not used on the show.</a></p>
The crew tries to make the lighting as authentic as possible.

To recreate authentic lighting, L.E.D. and fluorescent lights are not used on the show.

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26 of 50
<p>Fans of the books were worried the original text would be <a href="https://www.bustle.com/articles/37903-how-is-outlander-different-from-the-book-its-actually-pretty-spot-on" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">majorly altered.</a></p>
Although season 1 premiered in 2014, Gabaldon first published the series in 1991.

Fans of the books were worried the original text would be majorly altered.

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27 of 50
<p>In particular, she argued with directors that Claire and Father Anselm's season one chapel scene was pivotal—which, <a href="http://www.vulture.com/2015/06/outlander-author-diana-gabaldon-on-book-changes.html" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">after much debate</a>, ended up making the cut.</p>
While much of the plot has stayed the same, Gabaldon has struggled with certain scenes being cut.

In particular, she argued with directors that Claire and Father Anselm's season one chapel scene was pivotal—which, after much debate, ended up making the cut.

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28 of 50
<p>"We're so used to seeing women being objectified, as objects of desire of men, but it's rare when you see a woman owning her sexuality, directing it, orchestrating the sequence of events," Balfe told <a href="http://www.vulture.com/2016/04/best-sex-tv-outlander-c-v-r.html" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link"><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">Vulture</em>.</a></p>
The show's sex scenes take a different approach than most TV shows, with women taking the lead.

"We're so used to seeing women being objectified, as objects of desire of men, but it's rare when you see a woman owning her sexuality, directing it, orchestrating the sequence of events," Balfe told Vulture.

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29 of 50
<p>Leaked emails from the Sony hack revealed that Cameron had the show pushed back, as he was worried it would interfere with the&nbsp;<a href=" http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/tv-radio/david-cameron-met-sony-over-outlander-uk-release-1-3747339" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">country's historic vote.</a></p>
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron requested the series' U.K. premiere be delayed.

Leaked emails from the Sony hack revealed that Cameron had the show pushed back, as he was worried it would interfere with the country's historic vote.

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30 of 50
<p>Doune Castle and Blackness Castle have to be left in <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/10/inside-outlanders-hunt-for-claire-fraser" target="_blank" data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link">pristine condition</a> after shooting.</p>
The show films in real, historical sites.

Doune Castle and Blackness Castle have to be left in pristine condition after shooting.

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