One is a 50-year-old British institution, while the other built up a loyal fanbase that started with a series of novels that went on to spawn a critically-acclaimed TV adaptation.
As diehard Outlander fans will know, author Diana Gabaldon was inspired to write the first book after watching an episode of Doctor Who on the BBC.
She was taken by the time travelling element and the Time Lord’s Highlander, kilt-wearing clansman, Jamie McCrimmon, which led to the birth of Outlander.
It’s safe to say that the connection between Outlander and Doctor Who runs deep and even more so given the success of both franchises to this very day.
With season three of Outlander set to air later this year and the 10th run of Doctor Who airing on the BBC this April, we decided to take a look at the stars who have made appearances in both shows.
STARZ * BBCTobias Menzies in Outlander and Doctor Who
1. Tobias Menzies
He plays the dual role of Claire’s devoted husband Frank Randall and the devious Captain Black Jack Randall in Outlander.
But Tobias starred as Russian seaman Lieutenant Stepashin in the Doctor Who episode entitled Cold War in 2013, which saw him having to deal with an awakened ice warrior running loose on a submarine in 1983.
STARZ * BBCFrazer Hines in Outlander and as the companion in Doctor Who
2. Frazer Hines
The man who inspired the dashing hero Jamie Fraser saw his career come full circle after he took on the role of prison governor Sir Gordon Fletcher in season one of Outlander.
He played companion to Patrick Troughton’s second incarnation of the Doctor between 1966 and 1969.
STARZ * BBCSimon Callow in Outlander and as Charles Dickens in Doctor Who
3. Simon Callow
The British thespian and national treasure has basically been in anything and everything during his incredible career. In Outlander, he plays the Duke of Sandringham and has featured in five episodes of the Starz fantasy drama.
Whovians are likely to have recognised him in Doctor Who when he played Victorian writer Charles Dickens after the Doctor and Rose stepped back in time to London in the 19th Century to tackle some very strange, ghostly occurrences in The Unquiet Dead.
STARZ * BBCAnnette Badland in Outlander and as an alien in Doctor Who
4. Annette Badland
Right now Annette is best known for her portrayal of soap villain Aunt Babe in EastEnders but the star played the kindly housekeeper Mrs Fitzgibbons, who helped Claire out in season one shortly after she arrived at Castle Leoch.
The actress stole the show on not one but three occasions in 2005 when she played a member of the Slitheen family called Blon Fel-Fotch Pasameer-Day Slitheen, who had launched an alien invasion using the skins of humans.
She starred opposite Christopher Eccleston, the ninth Time Lord, after her alter-ego stole the identity of Margaret Blaine.
STARZ * BBCTim McInnerny as Father Bain and in Doctor Who as Mr Halpen
5. Tim McInnerny
The Blackadder actor had a role in season one of Outlander playing an evil priest called Father Bain, who clashed with Claire and accused her of being a witch.
Tim played an equally as unpleasant character called Mr Halpen in the Doctor Who episode called Planet of the Ood from 2008. His alter-ego ran a company that effectively lobotomised and enslaved the peaceful alien race of the Ood.
But he got his comeuppance after he ended up becoming an Ood after drinking a tonic that turned him into one.
STARZ * BBCIan Hanmore as monks in both Outlander and Doctor Who
6. Ian Hanmore
The Scottish star plays Franciscan monk Father Anselm in Outlander and featured in season one. Claire was seen opening up to him as revealed she was a time traveller and felt guilty for committing adultery by marrying Jamie.
Back in 2006, Ian portrayed another monk this time called Father Angelo in the spooky Doctor Who instalment Tooth and Claw.
However, his character was much more nefarious and was plotting to turn Queen Victoria into a werewolf. Luckily, she managed to stop him before he could execute his plot.
STARZ * BBCBill Paterson in Outlander and Doctor Who
7. Bill Paterson
The veteran actor stars as Ned Gowan in Outlander and serves as a solicitor to Clan MacKenzie.
He took on the role of Dr Edwin Bracewell as he helped the 11th Time Lord in the Doctor Who adventures Victory of the Daleks and The Pandorica Opens.
8. John Sessions
Seasoned star John is Arthur Duncan in Outlander, a procurator fiscal for Cranesmuir, a village near Castle Leoch and is also the husband of fellow healer Gellis.
The star leant his voice to a computer in a Doctor Who adventure involving the 11th Time Lord Peter Capaldi in the episode called Mummy on the Orient Express.
Source: Compiled from various sources.
