Outlander may be wrapping up with its eighth season, but fans won’t have to say goodbye just yet. Starz is expanding the beloved universe with a new prequel series titled “Outlander: Blood of My Blood.”
Logline
“Outlander: Blood of My Blood” will delve into the origin stories of Jamie and Claire’s parents, set in the early 18th century Scottish Highlands and WWI England.
Breakdown
- Production Details: Announced in early 2023 and now underway in Scotland, this 10-episode series is poised to continue the legacy of ‘Outlander’ by exploring the histories of the Fraser and Beauchamp families.
- Parallel Storylines: The series will feature two timelines—Jamie Fraser’s parents, Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser, in the 1700s, and Claire Fraser’s parents, Julia Moriston and Henry Beauchamp, in the early 1900s.
- Starz Announcement: Officially greenlit in 2022, the writers’ room began crafting scripts later that year, with the series being named “Outlander: Blood of My Blood” in early 2023.
Plot Beats
- Jamie’s Parents:
- Timeline: Early 18th century, around 1716.
- Story: Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser’s romance, from their first meeting at Castle Leoch to their elopement and the challenges that followed.
- Claire’s Parents:
- Timeline: WWI England, likely the 1910s.
- Story: Julia Moriston and Henry Beauchamp’s untold love story, offering new insights into Claire’s background.
Cast and Crew
- Main Cast:
- Ellen MacKenzie: Harriet Slater, known for “Pennyworth.”
- Brian Fraser: Jamie Roy, featured in Lifetime productions.
- Julia Moriston: Hermione Corfield, from “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.”
- Henry Beauchamp: Jeremy Irvine, seen in “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.”
- Supporting Cast:
- Young Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser: Rory Alexander.
- Young Dougal MacKenzie: Sam Retford.
- Young Colum MacKenzie: Séamus McLean Ross.
- Young Ned Gowan: Conor MacNeill.
- Red Jacob MacKenzie: Peter Mullan.
- Simon Fraser (Lord Lovat): Tony Curran.
- Creative Team:
- Showrunner/Executive Producer: Matthew B. Roberts.
- Consulting Producer: Diana Gabaldon, who is also writing a prequel novel about Jamie’s parents.
Buzz and Highlights
- Expanding the Universe: Speculation about the prequel began in 2020. Starz confirmed its development in 2022, promising to expand the “Outlander” universe.
- Diana Gabaldon’s Involvement: The author is writing a prequel novel and contributing to the series, ensuring the new stories stay true to the original spirit of ‘Outlander.’
- Historical Settings: The series promises rich historical backdrops, from the Jacobite Risings in Scotland to WWI England.
Production Notes
- Filming Schedule: Began in January 2024 in Glasgow, with a slight delay due to weather. Expected to air in 2025, possibly 2026, following the conclusion of the original ‘Outlander’ series.
- Episode Count: The first season will consist of 10 episodes. Future seasons are not yet confirmed.
Closing Credits
“Outlander: Blood of My Blood” promises to captivate fans with its deep dives into the Fraser and Beauchamp family histories. Stay tuned for more updates as production progresses.