Outlander Parents Guide: Why You Should Think Twice
Outlander, the Starz series adapted from Diana Gabaldon's fantasy novels, has gained popularity as a historical drama. Featuring strong performances by Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe, the show blends time travel with Scotland's 18th-century history, making it widely available on streaming platforms.
However, Outlander is not suitable for children. The series is rated TV-MA in the United States, indicating content that is inappropriate for younger audiences.
Historical Accuracy vs. Mature Content
The show includes many historically accurate events such as:
- The Jacobite Rebellion
- The Battle of Culloden
- The Highlander lifestyle
Despite this, it contains explicit violence and graphic scenes that can be unsettling even for some adults. The mature themes and bloody content make it unsuitable for younger viewers.
Global Content Ratings
Outlander carries mature ratings worldwide, reflecting its adult themes:
- TV-MA in the USA
- R18 in New Zealand
- 18+ in the UK, Thailand, Canada, South Africa, and Russia
- 19+ in South Korea
Such ratings typically account for coarse language, sexual content, and violence.
“A mature rating is usually awarded to TV shows and movies that contain one or more elements from coarse or crude language (L), sexual content (S) and violence (V).”
Before allowing children to watch Outlander, parents should consider these mature elements carefully.
Author's Summary
Outlander is a compelling historical drama with strong performances, but its explicit content and mature themes make it unsuitable for children.