In the heart of Outlander fandom, there’s a palpable buzz. The anticipation is for the upcoming Outlander prequel, titled Outlander: Blood of My Blood. The fascination stems from the plot, which revolves around the romantic narratives of Jamie’s and Claire’s parents, whose stories will significantly influence Jamie and Claire’s lives.
Casting Update
Outlander: Blood of My Blood is progressing rapidly, and casting details have begun to emerge. The characters who played a crucial role in shaping Jamie and Claire’s life are being recast. These characters include Murtagh Fraser, Dougal MacKenzie, Colum MacKenzie, and Ned Gowan. The younger versions of these beloved characters will feature in the upcoming prequel series.
New Faces on the Scene
Jamie’s parents, Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser, will be portrayed by Harriet Slater and Jamie Roy, respectively. Claire’s parents, Julia Moriston and Henry Beauchamp, will be brought to life by Hermione Corfield and Jeremy Irvine.
Characters that Shaped Destiny
Four characters whose younger versions will be seen in the prequel series are set to leave an indelible mark on Claire and Jamie’s future lives. Featured in Outlander Seasons 1 to 5, these characters left a profound influence on Jamie and Claire, with some bringing joy and others, despair.
Rory Alexander as Murtagh Fraser
Rory Alexander, known for his roles in Inland and Call the Midwife, is set to play Murtagh Fraser. Murtagh is a pivotal character who facilitated Claire’s meeting with Jamie. He is also Jamie’s godfather and one of the few who knew about Claire’s ability to travel through time.
Sam Retford as Dougal MacKenzie
Sam Retford, well-known for his role in Ackley Bridge, will step into the shoes of the fiery Dougal MacKenzie. Dougal is Jamie’s uncle and is instrumental in Jamie and Claire’s marriage.
Seamus McLean Ross as Colum MacKenzie
Seamus McLean Ross, recognized for his roles in Rebus and Payback, will portray Colum MacKenzie, Dougal and Ellen MacKenzie’s brother. Like Dougal, Colum plays a crucial role in Jamie and Claire’s union.
Conor MacNeil as Ned Gowan
Finally, Conor MacNeil, known for his roles in The Tourist, Industry, The Fall, and Belfast, joins the cast as the young Ned Gowan. Ned was a lawyer who played a significant role in Claire’s life.
Additional Casting
Tony Curran also joins the cast as Lord Lovat, Jamie’s grandfather. He is not exactly a beloved family member and seems to have been against Jamie’s parents’ union.
Outlander Update
In other news, Outlander is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and the second half of its seventh season will air later this year. Production for the eighth and final season will commence soon. As a result, fans can expect a double dose of Outlander over the next year or two.
Caitriona Balfe’s Directorial Debut
Caitriona Balfe, known for her role as Claire, will be directing a full episode this season. A picture of Balfe and Maril Davis on the official Outlander Instagram account indicates that Balfe is already prepping for her directorial debut.
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What to Do While Waiting?
While waiting for part 2 of season 7 of Outlander, fans can catch up on the first half with Balfe and Heughan’s interview, Maril Davis’s breakdown of the mid-season finale, and check out all of our recaps.
Production Team
Outlander: Blood of My Blood will be executive produced by Matthew Roberts, along with Maril Davis and Ron Moore, who developed Outlander for television. Outlander book author Diana Gabaldon will serve as a consulting producer.
Streaming Details
All seasons of Outlander are streaming now on Starz. This makes it easier for fans to revisit their favorite moments from the series while waiting for the new season.
Closing Thoughts
With the casting news and plot details slowly unfolding, the anticipation is real. The prequel promises to be an exciting journey into the lives of Jamie and Claire’s parents, and how they shaped the future lives of their children. So, buckle up Outlander fans, a new dawn awaits!
