You’ve finished the latest season. Maybe you’ve even re-watched the wedding episode—you know the one—for the fifth time. Now, the silence is deafening. That specific mix of Highland mist, brutal history, and a love story that spans centuries is hard to replace. Honestly, it’s a tall order. Most people searching for what to watch after Outlander are looking for a very specific "vibe" rather than just another period piece. It’s about that visceral connection to the past, the high stakes of survival, and, let's be real, the chemistry.
The problem with most recommendations is that they just point you toward any old show with a corset. But Outlander isn't just a costume drama. It’s a genre-bender. It’s sci-fi hidden inside a historical epic. It’s a war story. It’s a medical procedural if you count Claire’s 18th-century penicillin experiments. To find a true successor, you have to look at the different threads that make Diana Gabaldon’s world so addictive.
Why the Search for What to Watch After Outlander Is So Difficult
Let’s talk about the "Jamie Fraser Effect." It’s not just about a guy in a kilt. It’s about the "competence porn"—watching people who are exceptionally good at what they do, whether it’s leading a clan or performing surgery with a dull knife.
When you're hunting for a new show, you're likely craving one of three things. First, the "time-out-of-place" trope. There’s something inherently gripping about a modern mind navigating a primitive world. Second, the political intrigue. The Jacobite rising wasn't just a backdrop; it was a character. Third, the absolute, unwavering commitment to a central romance.
If you try to jump straight from the Highlands to a lighthearted rom-com, you’re going to get whiplash. You need something with weight. Something that hurts a little bit.
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Poldark: The Obvious (But Necessary) Comparison
If you haven't seen Poldark, start there. It’s the closest cousin to the Fraser saga. Set in 18th-century Cornwall, it follows Ross Poldark, a man returning from the American Revolutionary War to find his life in shambles. His father is dead, his estate is a wreck, and the woman he loves is engaged to his cousin.
It hits the same notes of rugged landscapes and social upheaval. Aidan Turner brings a brooding energy that rivals Sam Heughan, though Ross is arguably a lot more frustrating than Jamie. The show doesn't shy away from the class struggles of the mining industry, providing that "history from the bottom up" feel that Outlander fans usually adore. It’s sweeping. It’s romantic. It’s got plenty of shirtless scything, if that’s your thing.
For the History Buffs: The Last Kingdom
Maybe you’re less about the romance and more about the "standing on a hill looking at an approaching army" aspect. If so, The Last Kingdom is your best bet. Set in 9th-century England, it follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg. He’s a Saxon raised by Danes, caught between two worlds.
The grit here is real. While Outlander has its moments of brutality, The Last Kingdom lives in it. It’s fast-paced, funny, and deeply concerned with the formation of England. The character of King Alfred is a masterclass in nuanced television writing. He’s a sickly, brilliant man who uses Uhtred as a weapon, and their relationship is the backbone of the series. You won't find time travel here, but you will find the same sense of destiny and the crushing weight of historical inevitability.
What to Watch After Outlander if You Want Time Travel and Mystery
Sometimes the history is just the dressing. If the part of the show that keeps you up at night is the mystery of the stones and the "Butterfly Effect" of changing the past, your list needs to look a bit different.
1. Dark (Netflix)
This is the heavy hitter. It’s a German series that is, frankly, much smarter than most of us. It starts with a missing child and ends with a multi-generational conspiracy involving time travel. It’s darker (obviously) and lacks the bodice-ripping romance, but the way it handles the mechanics of time is superior to almost anything else on TV. If you like the "Grandfather Paradox" side of Claire’s journey, this is a must-watch.
2. 11.22.63
Based on the Stephen King novel, this Hulu miniseries stars James Franco as a man who travels back to the 1960s to stop the JFK assassination. It captures that "stranger in a strange land" feeling perfectly. It also features a deeply moving romance that complicates the mission. It’s a self-contained story, which is a nice palate cleanser if you’re tired of waiting years for a new season.
3. A Discovery of Witches
If you want the fantasy elements dialed up, this is the one. It’s basically Outlander but with vampires and witches instead of Redcoats and Highlanders. Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer have incredible chemistry, and the show spends a significant amount of time in Elizabethan London during the second season. It’s a "historical fantasy" that feels very much in line with the tone of the later Outlander books.
Exploring the "High Stakes" Historical Drama
There is a specific kind of tension in Outlander that comes from knowing a tragedy is coming (like Culloden) and being unable to stop it. These shows capture that same sense of impending doom and personal survival.
Black Sails
Think of this as the R-rated prequel to Treasure Island. It’s gritty, muddy, and surprisingly intellectual. It deals with the "Pirate Republic" of Nassau and the war against civilization. The character development for Captain Flint and John Silver is some of the best in television history. Much like the Frasers, these characters are constantly fighting for a home in a world that wants to eradicate them. It’s also one of the few shows that actually improves every single season until its perfect finale.
The Great
Maybe you need a laugh. The Great is "occasionally true" history. It follows Catherine the Great’s rise to power in Russia, but it’s a biting satire. It’s vibrant, violent, and hilarious. While it doesn't have the earnestness of Outlander, it shares that fascination with how a woman can wield power in a world designed to suppress her. Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult are electric together. It’s the "anti-period piece" that still satisfies the craving for 18th-century aesthetics.
Shōgun (2024)
If you haven't jumped on this yet, do it now. It’s the most impressive historical epic produced in years. Set in feudal Japan, it follows the rise of Lord Toranaga through the eyes of an English pilot, John Blackthorne. The cultural friction is reminiscent of Claire trying to navigate 1740s Scotland. It’s a show about language, honor, and the subtle ways power is bartered. It’s visually stunning and demands your full attention.
The "Domestic Epic": Romance and Longevity
One of the unique things about Outlander is that it stays with the couple. We aren't just watching the courtship; we're watching the marriage. We see them age, raise children, and build a life in North Carolina. That’s rare.
The Crown
While it’s more recent history, The Crown excels at showing the toll that duty takes on a marriage. The early seasons with Claire Foy and Matt Smith have a certain spark that Outlander fans will recognize. It’s about the public persona versus the private heart.
Victoria
This is a bit more on the "cozy" side of the spectrum. Jenna Coleman plays the young Queen Victoria, and her romance with Prince Albert is the driving force of the show. It’s less "blood and guts" and more "palace intrigue and longing looks." It’s perfect for a weekend binge when you want something beautiful and relatively low-stress.
Harlots
Don't let the name fool you. This is a brilliant, female-led drama about the sex trade in 18th-century London. It’s colorful, raw, and incredibly well-acted. It shows a side of the era that Outlander only touches on briefly—the gritty reality for women who have no legal rights or family protection. It’s about sisterhood and survival.
Crucial Advice for Your Next Binge
When deciding what to watch after Outlander, don't look for a clone. You won't find another Jamie and Claire. Their chemistry is a lightning-in-a-bottle situation. Instead, pivot your focus.
If you loved the Scottish setting, go for Monarch of the Glen (for something light) or Shetland (for a modern noir).
If you loved the medical aspect, try The Knick—it’s a brutal look at early 20th-century surgery that makes Claire’s honey-poultices look like high-tech medicine.
If you loved the costumes and production value, The Gilded Age or Bridgerton will scratch that itch, though they lack the "life or death" stakes of the Ridge.
Real Talk: Managing Expectations
Let’s be honest. Some people love Outlander for the romance, and some love it for the history. If you are a "shipper" first and foremost, you will likely find The Last Kingdom too violent and Dark too confusing. If you are a history nerd, Bridgerton will probably annoy you with its historical inaccuracies.
The sweet spot for most fans usually lies in Poldark or A Discovery of Witches. They bridge the gap between "hard" history and "epic" romance the most effectively.
Actionable Steps to Beat the Droughtlander
Stop scrolling through the Netflix "More Like This" section; it’s usually governed by algorithms that don't understand nuance. Instead, try this:
- Identify your "Hook": Ask yourself what you miss most. Is it the Highlands? The time travel? The 1700s? The central marriage?
- Try the "Three Episode Rule": Shows like Black Sails or The Last Kingdom take a minute to find their footing. Don't bail after twenty minutes. Give the world-building time to breathe.
- Check the Source Material: If you haven't read the books by Bernard Cornwell (The Last Kingdom) or Winston Graham (Poldark), they provide a much deeper experience that can fill the void between TV seasons.
- Explore Starz’s Other Offerings: Since you likely already have the subscription, check out The White Queen, The White Princess, and The Spanish Princess. They are part of a loose trilogy focusing on the women of the Wars of the Roses and the early Tudor era. They are very much in the Outlander vein of historical fiction.
The "Droughtlander" is a real phenomenon, but the television landscape is currently in a golden age of historical epics. You won't find a carbon copy, and honestly, you shouldn't want to. Part of the joy of a new show is discovering a new world to get lost in. Whether you head to the brutal shores of 9th-century England or the magical libraries of Oxford, your next favorite story is out there. Pick one, commit to the first three episodes, and let the new obsession begin.