Outlander fans have been discussing the show ahead of its return this Autumn, with the release date now only a month away.
The Starz series, which will release the second half of season 7 in November, also recently wrapped filming on its eighth and final season.
Jamie Fraser, who is played by Sam Heughan in the show, is beloved by fans from all over the world and is certainly considered to be the series’ major heartthrob.
This is in part due to his enthralling romance with Claire Fraser (Caitriona Balfe) and the actors’ incredible on-screen chemistry.
Outlander is based on author Diana Gabaldon’s fantasy romance book series of the same name, which follows Claire as she travels back in time to the era of the Jacobite Rising.
Claire and Jamie might be the show’s two main leads, but Tobias Menzies also plays two important roles: Claire’s first husband Frank Randall, whom she leaves behind when she travels to Jamie’s timeline, and the villainous Jonathan ‘Black Jack’ Randall.
While it would be difficult for fans to have any sort of crush on the sadistic and cruel Black Jack, some of them have admitted they do have a “secret crush” on Claire’s “stoic and passionate” first husband.
Taking to Reddit, a user with the handle @Esdoornhelikoptertje asked: “Anyone secretly have more of a crush on Frank than Jamie?”
They continued: “Ok so this series just made me in love with everyone including Claire lol even though I’m a woman. Everyone is so good.
“But I didn’t find Frank very attractive and now suddenly he is on my mind all the time lol like Frank please I am in a relationship! Anyone else dreaming more of Frank than Jamie?
“Jamie is very handsome of course but for the ladies who like suits and ties? Like Frank is kind, a bit stoic, intelligent, reliable, conservative, passionate, and will not let his fire die because his partner is seemingly in dreamland. He goes on with real life and is a good father and husband.” (sic)
In the comments section, Outlander fans shared their thoughts on the series having an alternative heartthrob.
“Frank as played by Tobias Menzies? Yes. Book Frank? No,” one fan admitted, while another agreed: “I have a thing for Tobias Menzies and it colors my view of TV Frank very much.” (sic)
Others agreed that the book version of Frank was not crush-worthy, with one more fan adding: “Having read the books before seeing the series, there is no way.” (sic)
Another penned: “Book Frank, no, but I do admit that I loved him in the show. He was smart, witty, and very well dressed. I love vintage 1940s style and loved how he looked but also found him very sweet. Book Frank was a different guy, though.” (sic)
Yet another fan praised Menzies, adding: “Yeah….I’ve been watching Outlander because I was looking for more Tobias Menzies, having liked him a lot in The Terror. So I get it.” (sic)
While another even applauded Frank’s character, saying: “100%!!! Frank is steadfast!! He also loves Claire so much that he treated her daughter like his own. Claire didn’t treat him well.” (sic)
Meanwhile, others were perplexed by the choice, with one writing: “I mean definitely no but you do you boo!” (sic)
“Nope. I don’t find lying, cheating, passive-aggressive, condescending men the least bit attractive,” another commented.
“Actually no but that’s so brave of you lol,” one fan quipped, as another agreed: “Sorry but that’s going to be a no for me.” (sic)
Meanwhile, some fans were keen to throw out the names of some other “crush-worthy” characters, including Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser (Duncan Lacroix) and Jenny Fraser Murray (Laura Donnelly).
Following the closure of Lionsgate+ in the UK, new episodes of Outlander will be available on Starz and to stream on Prime Video channel MGM+ from Sunday, November 22. You must be an Amazon Prime member before you can sign up for MGM+.