Outlander, the historical drama series, is known for its inclusion of real-life characters such as the Duke of Sandringham (portrayed by Simon Callow) and Bonnie Prince Charlie (Andrew Gower). However, fans might be surprised to learn that Geillis Duncan (Lotte Verbeek) is another character plucked straight from the annals of history.
Viewers first met Geillis in season one at Castle Leoch, where she struck up an unexpected friendship with Claire Fraser (CaitrÃona Balfe), who later discovered that Geillis was also a time traveller. Both women were falsely accused of witchcraft by Laoghaire MacKenzie (Nell Hudson), leading to a trial.
Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) managed to rescue Claire, but Geillis had to fend for herself. She secured her own safety by blackmailing Dougal MacKenzie (Graham McTavish) into saving her after she fell pregnant with his child.
Geillis reappeared in the West Indies in season three and then again in season seven. Diana Gabaldon, the author of Outlander, based Geillis Duncan on a real-life maidservant from 16th century North Berwick, Scotland.
As per the Brooklyn Museum, the real Geillis was accused of witchcraft by her employer David Seton, a deputy bailiff, who grew suspicious of her healing abilities and deemed her a witch. After observing Geillis and conducting an examination to determine if she was a witch, he subjected her to illegal torture, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
Geillis Duncan could also travel through time
Tragically, under further torture, she confessed and was subsequently executed.
However, during her harrowing ordeal of torture, she implicated many other innocent people as witches, triggering a cascade of trials and executions known as the North Berwick witch trials, which were sanctioned by King James VI. British historian Lucy Worsley delved into this grim chapter of history in her programme The Witch Hunts.
The show explored the genesis of these witch hunts and their subsequent fallout. Worsley kicked off her probe in North Berwick, where the trial of healer and midwife Agnes Sampson set the precedent for witch hunts for the next hundred years.
Geillis Duncan in Outlander was a healer like her real-life counterpart
The series showcased historical texts bearing the name ‘Geillis Duncan’. As per the book Superstition, Information for the People, vol. 1 by William Chambers and Robert Chambers, one of Agnes’ confessions claimed that Geillis had led a dance at the Auld Kirk of North Berwick. These real-life accounts found their way into ‘Outlander’, with Claire witnessing Geillis performing a pagan dance.
In a separate storyline in the books, Geillis made a blood sacrifice to time travel and alter history to ensure a Jacobite victory.