Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson could have starred opposite Caitriona Balfe in an Outlander movie, it has been revealed.

It comes after the author of Outlander, Diana Gabaldon, said she wanted the Northern Ireland actor to play the role of Jamie Fraser.

The first Outlander book was destined to be turned into a film before the creation of the TV series.

But the movie was never made and instead, the books were brought to life in the series on Starz.

Caitriona Balfe, who hails from Dublin, plays Jamie’s wife Claire Fraser in the historical fantasy series set in the Scottish Highlands.

Cross Stitch, the first Outlander book by Gabaldon, was published over 30 years ago.

Speaking to E! Online, Gabaldon said she wanted 71-year-old Ballymena man Neeson to play the lead role in the proposed movie.

She said: “This was years ago when I was first approached about adapting Outlander, when it was a feature film.

“Liam Neeson and Sean Connery were the first contenders for Jamie.”

The role in the TV series eventually went to Scottish actor Sam Heughan.

Neeson previously played a Scottish character when he starred in the 1995 movie Rob Roy.

The actor played Rob Roy MacGregor, a clan chieftain in 18th-century Scotland, and wore a kilt for the role.

Show bosses previously revealed they struggled to cast the role of Claire Fraser until Caitriona Balfe did a last-minute audition.