Outlander fans 'work out' real reason Jamie Fraser's ghost is 25

Sam Heughan reveals what he's done since Outlander

The Droughtlander has officially begun with no confirmed release date for season eight, which will be the final instalment of the Starz series. Yet, when Outlander makes its last return, fans are eager for a resolution of the show's greatest enigma: Jamie Fraser's (played by Sam Heughan) ghost.

The spectral figure of the Highlander was first seen in Outlander's debut episode, where Frank Randall (Tobias Menzies) observed him watching Claire Fraser (Caitríona Balfe). Furthermore, Diana Gabaldon, the author behind Outlander, has assured fans her monumental series will conclude with a scene featuring Jamie's ghost and Claire.

Currently, both Jamie and Claire are alive in the novels and on screen, with no indications of their demise in either format. However, Jamie's apparition is notably 25 years old, coinciding with his age during the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

In a 2014 Outlander podcast, Gabaldon, disclosed after being queried by Sam Heughan: "Sam Heughan asked me, and I hadn't thought about it before. But I just answered him immediately. He's about 25."

While the ghost's backstory remains largely unexplained, fans have concocted various theories, recently sparking a flurry of speculation on Reddit as they ponder whether Jamie's fate involves death, reports the Daily Record.

Jamie Fraser came close to death at Culloden (Image: STARZ)

One fan explained: "[S]he said the ghost is APPEARING as age 25 - she didn't say he died at 25. As others pointed out, he's decades beyond that already. The ghost doesn't have to take on the visage and manifest itself as the age he was upon death - that time has no meaning."

"Think of it this way -When we lose loved ones to something horrible like cancer that's debilitated them, the sentiment is that they're at peace now as they were before all that, not stuck in that same pain in the afterlife forever - but as their true, best self.

"Regardless of his age at death, Jamie at his core is a highland warrior, and hence his ghost manifests as such as the 25 year old version of himself - whether he dies at 65 or 85 or 101 [sic]."

Jamie Fraser is still alive in Outlander (Image: STARZ)

Another viewer noted: "In episode 7.2, Jamie describes a dream when he looked up and saw a younger Claire. The room is not illuminated by daylight or candle so he assumes this is what electricity must be. In another episode he mentions other dreams to Claire that seem to be of the future. It's mentioned in a previous episode that ghosts are not tied by time. It's my assumption that Jamie's isn't a time traveler like Claire, Bri, etc. but is able to glimpse other times while he is dreaming as a ghost [sic]."

A third fan speculated: "My guess: He was Very close to death at culloden, so close that the line between life and death blurred, and he was able to go visit Claire for a moment, wanting to see her one more time [sic]."

One viewer speculated: "The fortune teller in France told Jamie that he will die nine times before he rests in his grave. Maybe it has something to do with that? [sic]."

Jamie's ghost appeared in the 20th century (Image: STARZ)

Another ardent Outlander follower commented: "[H]e turned 50 around Alamance, don't let their confusion confuse you. Gabaldon said the ghost ilooks and is appearing age 25, not that he died at 25 [sic]."

A fan proposed: "There are two widely accepted theories for how Jamie's ghost appears and watches Claire and is seen by Frank: 1. In 5-9 Jamie is bitten by a snake and his heart actually stops beating and he is not breathing until Claire brings him back. During this time, his spirit is able to travel to the future to stand outside Claire's window in 1946; 2. Jamie dies at a ripe old age before Claire and his ghost travels to when it all began in 1946 to show he's waiting for her to join him in the afterlife."

As of now, the mystery remains unsolved, with fans eagerly awaiting the final novel from Gabaldon for answers, though no publication date is yet in sight.

Outlander is streaming on MGM+ via Prime Video now