Outlander is a historical drama television series based on the Outlander novel series by Diana Gabaldon. The show premiered on August 9, 2014, on Starz. It stars CaitrĂona Balfe as Claire Randall, a former World War II military nurse in Scotland who, in 1945, finds herself transported back in time to 1743. The 16-episode first season of the television series (released as two half-seasons) is based on first novel, Outlander.