Starz Outlander and BBC One Poldark are the two hit period drama series of the moment. Blending adventure and romance, historical fiction and stunning locations, talent and beauty they have got legions of passionate fans all over the world. These fans are quite vocal and convey their enthusiasm in their tweets, facebook pages and their blogs, they read or re-read the books on which the series are based, they discuss them in groups, they create fan-fiction and gadgets, they make friends and have fun gathering together. They love the stories and all the characters in them, they are fond of the locations and costumes, they are intrigued by the twists and turns, watch and re-watch their favorite scenes, learn by heart their favorite lines but ... let's be honest ... the main reason of their passionate interest is their fondness for the two gorgeous, fascinating, dashing heroes: James Alexander Malcom MacKenzie Fraser and Captain Ross Poldark.
The heroes
Outlander male lead, Jamie Fraser, is a 18th century Scottish warrior created by Diana Gabaldon in 1991. Ross Poldark is instead a captain of the English Dragoons, living in the same century as his Scottish rival, in the series of novel written by Winston Graham in the 40s and 50s. Both are reckless, brave, complicated and, especially , terrificly handsome and definitely romantic.
Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser
The actorsScot-to-the-bone, lovely giant, Sam Heughan in his kilt and ginger curls, his Highland accent and gentle smile, is just perfect to embody the fictional hero that has conquered over 25 millions readers all over the world in the last 25 years and has been defined "the king of men" for his endless qualities.
Aidan Turner as Ross Poldark
Irish dark beauty, Aidan Turner, has obtained the lead role in Poldark, after his recent adventures in New Zealand with The Hobbit family as dwarf Kili, Thorin Oakenshield's nephew. We can guess that to accept such an iconic role mustn't have been an easy choice: he had to accept to compete and be compared to Robin Ellis, who had been Ross Poldark in the sensationally popular BBC adaptation of the books back in the 70s.
To choose or not to choose ... that is the challenge
Sam being Sam
But, I wonder, is it more a Turner vs Heughan or more a Poldark vs Jamie duel? I mean, are fans attracted to the intriguing fictional heroes and consequently love the handsome human beings embodying them or is the allure more due to the good looks and charms of the two actors who have brought the literary heroes to life? Third hypothesis, my favorite one :Aren't Sam Heughan and Aidan Turner extremely fit to their roles - that is perfectly cast - and also talented as well as dedicated to their task of bringing such beloved characters to life, so consequently, it is easy to transfer the love for the characters to the actors?
Aidan Turner - cap from this video
I can't really answer this one myself. What do you think? Do we love Sam Heughan because of Jamie and Aidan Turner because of Ross? Or do we love Jamie because of Sam Heughan and Ross because of Aidan Turner?Anyhow, what I can't really do is choosing one over the other. We always have to make choices , hence renounces or sacrifices, in our lives, real lives I mean. Can we at least be free to virtually love more than one man in our shallow, careless, dreamy alternate fictional world?
I'm really fond of both series, I love their 18th century historical settings, I'm hooked by Cornwall 's and Scotland's incredibly beautiful natural environments, both look stunning on screen, I'm really satisfied as both adaptations do justice to books I've read and liked. So why should one choose one or the other hero to love? Can't we simply love them both deeply for their similarities, if not for their differences?
What do they share?
Ross and Jamie are not perfect, though. But let's put it this way: the flaws we recognize in them are as fascinating as their virtues. Both can be incredibly stubborn, dangerously reckless and profoundly proud.
However, they are loyal and prone to help those in need, they are sensual and seductive lovers as well as devoted husbands. They are understanding and sensitive, they have a fragile side, a gentleness they don't hide. That sensitivity mixed to their overflowing manliness is their secret weapon to win us over, isn't it? That is what make them irresistible to the majority of their admirers.
Don't tell me... There's someone out there figuring out 6-pack abs or other anatomic details ?!? Naah! I wasn't thinking of that AT ALL! How could I?
Their stories
Young Jamie, only 22 at the beginning of Outlander epic story, has just returned to Scotland from France and has had an unfortunate series of troubles with the English redcoats patrolling his coutnries in the 1740s. He lives on the run with a prize on his head when he meets outlander Claire Beauchamp, mysteriously landed in Scotland not just from England but from the 20th century.
Jamie very soon comes to marry Claire due to an arrangement to protect her against sadistic villain, Captain Jack Randall. Making her a Scot will prevent the wicked Captain from claiming any right on her. The beginning of Jamie and Claire's love story is everything but romantic. They know very little of each other, they don't love each other, they are good friends (and attracted to one another, you say?)
He needs help in the house and hires Demelza Carne, who is just a very poor 13-year-old-girl, after helping her in a street row. Demelza grows up at Nampara working hard and growing fonder and fonder of her savior. He is torn and broken, still in pain for his unrequited, betrayed love for Elizabeth, now his cousin's wife.
Ross and Demelza's love story will blossom in time but only after a rushed, unromantic marriage between a gentleman and his maid servant, whose reasons are not clear to anyone included the protagonists themselves, apparently. Those reasons do not include love at the beginning, not on Ross's side, at least.
So neither of Jamie nor Ross marries for love (for what we know), both have to cope with a troubled past and face the risks of an uncertain future.
What makes them different?
Mmmm ... lets's see ...
Do you know what people say of us?
Ross Poldark is dark -haired and has dark eyes, he is English. Jamie is fair ( ginger ) haired, blue-eyed and Scottish.Though young Jamie is 22 and Ross a bit older at the beginning of their respective stories, the Scottish hero is actually older than Captain Poldark. They are from different generations. I was just thinking they might have met . They might have been on the same battlefields in certain moments of their lives, Jamie in his mid-fifties while Ross in his mid-twenties. I'm not writing a mash-up, don't worry... only reflecting on certain historical events present in both sagas. But I don't want to give away spoilers for those who want to go on reading Gabaldon's books so ... let's move on.
Jamie can leave you speechless in his kilted attire. Ross may charm you in his typically English 18th century elegance , you know, breeches, cravat and alike.
Jamie has a horribly scarred back and many other healed wounds all over his body. Ross has "only" a scarred cheek and a little limp in one of his legs as souvenirs of his years in America.
Jamie has been tortured and ... more, so he has psychological as well as physical wounds as a result.
When did you learn to kiss like that?
Ross is moody and often brooding, while Jamie is ironic, witty and always ready for a good joke , despite all the horrible things he has to face.Jamie can control his passions and reactions and keeps a clear mind even under pressure and in extreme situations. That is not always easy to Ross Poldark.
Ross is not very talkative while Jamie is a verra good story-teller.
Ross is a gentleman and would never use violence on man or woman, if not in self or other's defence, Jamie has been taught differently and sees corporal punishment as a fair form of justice (till Claire helps him partially change his vision)
Jamie is still a virgin on his wedding night, convinced that "it is better to marry than burn" , Ross Poldark is an expert lover often compared to his father for his reputation as a womanizer. (But doesn't he marry Demelza so as not to compromise her reputation? )
Ross marries Demelza who is much younger than him. Jamie is younger than Claire.
Conclusions or ... it is better to stop now
Well, I may go on thinking and writing about these two gentlemen and their stories endlessly, but you know... I have chores and a demanding real life. It's been nice to escape into their adventurous, romantic tales in your company. Thanks for reading!
And don't forget that Outlander comes back on Starz with episode 9 on 4th April for US viewers and it is available on Amazon Prime to UK viewers . Check it out! You can catch up with the previous 8 episodes on both channels (HERE US - HERE UK)
Poldark , instead, is every Sunday night on BBC One in the UK and on ABC Australia, and it will premiere on PBS Masterpiece in June.