The character of William Ransom, the secret son of Jamie Fraser, has finally stepped into the spotlight in Outlander Season 7, played by actor Charles Vandervaart. As William navigates his new role as a British soldier in the American Revolutionary War, many viewers find the actor’s face strikingly familiar. Hereโs where you have likely seen the star before and why he was chosen to play this pivotal role.
The Casting of Jamie Fraser’s Son
For the crucial role of the adult William Ransom, the Outlander production team searched for an actor who could embody the character’s complex heritage. They needed someone who could project the courteous demeanor of an English aristocrat while subtly hinting at the “Highlander’s fire” simmering beneath. The casting announcement in May 2022 revealed that Canadian actor Charles Vandervaart had won the part.
Showrunner Matthew B. Roberts stated the team was happy to welcome Charles to the Fraser family, while executive producer Maril Davis noted that finding someone with the right talent and physicality for Jamieโs son was a daunting task. Davis said, “Charles’ charisma was evident during the audition process and we are excited to see what he will bring to Williamโs multi-layered journey”.
The physical resemblance to Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie Fraser, was a key consideration. Vandervaart himself worked closely with Heughan to incorporate subtle mannerisms. “Sam and I talked quite a bit about the mannerisms he has in the show,” Vandervaart shared. “I didn’t want to do too many of the same because William is his own personโฆ but we incorporated a little bitโฆ The subtleties are important”.
Where You’ve Seen Charles Vandervaart Before
Long before joining the Outlander cast, Charles Vandervaart built a career in film and television, primarily in his home country of Canada.
His breakout role was as Liam in the 2021 third season of Netflix’s sci-fi series Lost in Space. In this popular family adventure show, Vandervaart played a key character navigating the dangers of an alien planet alongside the Robinson family.
He also appeared in the 2020 supernatural sequel The Craft: Legacy. This film, which follows a new generation of witches, featured Vandervaart in its ensemble cast.
Many fans in Canada will recognize him from the long-running historical detective series Murdoch Mysteries, where he has appeared in multiple episodes. His consistent work on these projects established him as a rising talent before he landed the high-profile role in Outlander.
William Ransom’s Journey on Outlander
William’s story is one of the most secretive and tragic in the Outlander universe. He was born in January 1758 to Geneva Dunsany, who died in childbirth. Legally, he is the son and heir of the Earl of Ellesmere, but biologically, he is Jamie Fraser’s child, conceived during a single encounter that Geneva forced upon Jamie.
After both his legal parents died on the day of his birth, William was raised by his aunt, Isobel Dunsany, and her husband, Lord John Grey, who became his devoted stepfather. He grew up as William Clarence Henry George Ransom, the Ninth Earl of Ellesmere, completely unaware of his true parentage.
As a child at Helwater, he formed a strong bond with a groom he knew as “Mac,” who was actually Jamie Fraser watching over him in secret. When Jamie had to leave, he gifted a young William his wooden rosary beads, a token that becomes significant later in the story.
In Season 7, set in 1776, an 18-year-old William is a lieutenant in the British Army, full of zeal to fight for the Crown in the American Colonies. His world is built on the privilege of his English title, making the eventual revelation of his true fatherโa Scottish rebelโdeeply destabilizing.
The Major Season 7 Reveal
A central plot of Season 7 is William discovering the truth. The moment finally arrived in Season 7, Episode 11. The show altered the book’s revelation, where William realizes the truth upon seeing Jamie as an adult and recognizing their resemblance. Since the TV version of William had already met Jamie, a new approach was needed.
In the episode, William overhears Lord John Grey refer to him as Jamie’s “son” during a conversation. This leads to a direct and emotional confrontation where Jamie is forced to confirm the truth. Vandervaart had teased this moment, hinting at William’s difficult reaction. “When he finds out that Jamie is his dad, I don’t think he’s going to be too thrilled about that,” the actor said.
“It goes to show how strong William’s identity is tied to the English hierarchy and the monarchy and how painful that’ll be to realise his position in that whole structure is illegitimate.”
This revelation shatters William’s understanding of himself and sets the stage for a complex journey as he grapples with this new identity in the midst of a war where his biological father is on the opposing side.
Fan Reactions to the Character and Casting
The casting of Charles Vandervaart sparked immediate discussion among fans. Many focused on the physical similarities meant to connect William to Jamie.
One fan commented on the deliberate resemblance, noting, “He has almost the same features as Sam. The chin the dimples the nose the shape of his eyes”. Another supported the choice by referring to the book descriptions, saying, “According to the book, his physical appearance such as hair color and skin tone resemble Geneva, but his nose, height and jaw resemble Jamie. I think theyโve cast exactly the right actor!”.
However, some viewers expressed initial doubt, with one stating, “Huge disappointment. He looks nothing like Sam Heughan”. The diverse reactions highlight the challenge of casting such an anticipated character.
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