Outlander
Outlander OutlanderTVSeries.starz/facebook

Outlander, the new British-American television drama series based on Diana Gabaldon's international bestselling novels of the same name, is off to a tremendous start.

The widely appreciated show which premiered on US TV network Starz on August 9 and aired its second episode on August 16, is already being compared to HBO's massively popular fantasy drama Game of Thrones, by fans and viewers.

Game of Thrones is an adaptation of A Song of Ice and Fire
Game of Thrones

Check out the following tweets by fans pitting Outlander against Game of Thrones:

Forget Game of Thrones, this is the new TV series you need to know about http://t.co/3u0lN0eib5

— Harper's Bazaar UK (@BazaarUK) August 11, 2014

I'm not sure I like how Outlander is being described as "Game of Thrones for women." I like GoT a lot, thank you very much!

— Caroline T. Richmond (@ctrichmond) August 9, 2014

"As a show trying to scratch the same itch as 'Game of Thrones,' 'Outlander' is at a disadvantage" http://t.co/vbpnNeEsOy from @willapaskin

— Will McKinley (@willmckinley) August 8, 2014

I've read the Outlander series & the Game of Thrones. There are things to recommend & revile in both. But different isn't the same as better

— ❄Mikki Kendall❄ (@Karnythia) August 4, 2014

"@LudditeJF: Outlander, will knock Game of Thrones out of the realm! #UKTVNeedsOutlander http:http://t.co/CZxNfmTha4"

— M. Carmen Sánchez (@cuchyy2k) August 6, 2014

Outlander Is The Feminist Answer to @GameOfThrones And Men Should Be Watching It @annehelen @buzzfeed http://t.co/VS2d641Mbh #changetheratio

— Cindy Gallop (@cindygallop) August 9, 2014

According to Starz, viewership of last week's premiere episode (below) surpassed 5 million across all platforms – which also made the decision to confirm the second season, easier for the network. (via Entertainment Weekly)

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"The overwhelming support Outlander has received from the fans, viewers and critics made the decision for us to go ahead with the second book a very easy one," said Starz' CEO Chris Albrecht.

"Diana Gabaldon has given us years of great drama. With an incredible artist such as Ronald D Moore at the helm and a cast as spectacular as this, we look forward to continue this spell-binding journey with Claire, Jamie, Frank, Brianna, Roger and everybody over the centuries."

Outlander Plot

Outlander follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened.

When she is forced to marry Jamie, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire's heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

You can view the Outlander premiere episode below (NSFW):

Game of Thrones