Claire Fraser is the strong-willed, extremely resourceful, and outspoken heroine of the hit STARZ historical fantasy drama Outlander. The character has been played by the talented Caitriona Balfe, whose work has been acclaimed by the masses and critics alike.

While Claire is a maddening woman, she has managed to win the hearts with her hard-headed but deeply humane approach to life. As the lead protagonist of a much-loved series, many viewers have learned that Claire is a very layered character. However, that’s not to mean they remember every detail about her. Here are just a couple of elements that some might have missed.

Claire Wasn’t Meant To Be A Time-Traveler

A curious tidbit is that when Gabaldon first introduced Claire Fraser, she hadn’t even considered time travel as a concept in her novel.

It was only when Claire’s character started taking shape, as a free-thinking, modern, independent woman, that her creator realized that she didn’t fit into the 18th century and made her into a time traveler.

Balfe’s First-Ever Lead

Actress Caitriona Balfe has made quite a career out of her lead role as Claire Fraser in the STARZ fantasy drama.

However, an interesting detail that not many know is that this romantic series is her first-ever lead role and she was relatively unknown before being cast as the feisty Claire. One must admit the actress has done an outstanding job in the first significant lead she has played, not only as the central protagonist but also as the narrator of the entire drama.

It Took A Long Time Casting Claire

Another little hidden detail that most wouldn’t know is that the casting for the role took an inordinate amount of time. Although Claire Fraser is literally the face of the series, this was almost one of the final roles to be cast before production started.

The producers have stated that they were looking for someone who could bring Claire alive on the screen and portray her elegance and intelligence perfectly. Apparently, they auditioned several talented actresses before they finally settled for Balfe, who they thought would be an ideal Claire Fraser.

Claire Went To Pick Up Flowers That Looked Like Forget-Me-Nots

In the pilot,”Sassenach,” Claire goes back to the stone circle in Craig Na Dun after having been there with her husband before dawn that same day to watch the ancient druid ritual being performed.

Claire goes looking for some flowers that had drawn her attention the first time around, which she thought might have been forget-me-nots. It seems like poetic justice that Claire’s unquenchable curiosity and interest in flowers and herbs would become integral in her primary identity.

Botany Was Her New Hobby

When Claire went vacationing in the Scottish Highlands with her husband, Frank, after WWII, her new hobby was botany.

Her time as a combat nurse had instigated in her a keen interest in herbs and roots and their use in healing, which of course, would help her tremendously as she maneuvered her way as a healer in the 18th century.

Claire Wanted To Name Her Son After Her Uncle

In the season 2 episode, “La Dame Blanche,” Claire and Jamie are shown casually throwing around names for their first child.

At that time Claire suggests Lambert in case they have a son, in honor of her archeologist uncle who had been her primary guardian most of her young life, after her parents’ death. If fans remember back to the pilot, they would get a glimpse of the archeologist.

Claire’s Uncle Had Taught Her To Ride

Claire’s uncle is mentioned sparingly throughout the series, but he is. In season 1, when Claire picks a horse, Brimstone, to plan her escape from Castle Leoch, she mentions that she had been taught to ride by her uncle.

It is stated at the outset that Claire had had an unconventional upbringing, aiding her uncle in his excavations and for all intents and purposes, growing up faster than other young girls of her age.

Mrs. Graham Was Her Only Confidante

When Claire landed back into the 20th century before the Battle of Culloden, she didn’t open up about her fantastic experiences to Frank Randall at once, possibly anticipating hostility and disbelief on his part.

At this time, the only person she took into her confidence was Mrs. Graham, the Reverend Wakefield’s housekeeper. She was the only one who truly believed in Claire’s extraordinary tale and did her best to help the future surgeon grieve for Jamie.

Claire’s Nomad Life Shaped Her For The Future

Claire’s parents had died when she was very young and she had been brought up by her uncle, who was a historian as well as an archeologist. While living with him, she led a most interesting life that not all young girls would be familiar with.

The nigh nomadic life she led with her uncle shaped her ability to cope and adapt to drastically changed circumstances later on in life. Whether in different historical time periods or in different very different regions of the world- or in this case both- Claire never faltered when it came to adjusting to fresh environments.

Claire Actor’s Hair Is Naturally Straight

One of the most distinctive features about Claire’s physical appearance is her mass of jet black curls.

But the little known detail is that Balfe doesn’t have natural curls. She has naturally straight hair which is curled for the purposes of the show. Of course, the hair department does a magnificent job for there is no way to tell Balfe’s hair isn’t naturally curly.