Since its debut more than a decade ago, Starz‘s historical romance drama “Outlander” has captivated fans worldwide. The series revolves around Claire Randall (Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), whose love affair has defied time and continents. Now, with “Outlander” airing its eighth and final season likely in 2026, the universe is expanding. Based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon and adapted for television by Matthew B. Roberts, Starz’s latest show, “Outlander: Blood of My Blood,” follows two new love stories, one which starts on the battlefields of the Western Front during World War I and the other in the meadows of Scotland in the early 18th century. Lush, complex, beautifully shot and structured, this prequel is a thrilling addition to a franchise that has enraptured audiences from the beginning.
One portion of the series follows the love story between Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy), who are Jamie’s parents. The rest of the prequel follows the romance between Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine) and Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) — Claire’s parents. A completely stand-alone series, those who are new to the world of “Outlander” won’t have any trouble keeping up.
“Outlander: Blood of My Blood” begins with death. This story opens in Scotland in 1714. At Castle Leoch, Clan MacKenzie is grieving the sudden demise of their Laird, Red Jacob MacKenzie (Peter Mullan). No one is more devastated by the loss than Red Jacob’s eldest child and closest confidant, Ellen MacKenzie. Unfortunately for Ellen, there is not a moment to mourn. Her father’s passing has left the clan vulnerable, and since Red Jacob named no heir, his two sons, Dougal (Sam Retford) and Colum (Séamus McLean Ross), are locked in a battle for succession. Unfortunately, neither brother seems suited for the task. Dougal is all brawn, and likes to take action before thinking. Conversely, Colum, devastated by his disability, has a pension for cruelty.
Red Jacob’s death has left Ellen particularly vulnerable. Although her sisters, Janet (Ailsa Davidson) and Jocasta (Sadhbh Malin), have long been wed, Ellen’s beauty and unmarried status make her a valuable pawn in her brothers’ quests for power. Without her father’s protection and with little recourse as a woman, Ellen tries to take control of her destiny. However, things are further complicated when she meets and falls for Brian Fraser, the bastard son of the diabolical Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat (Tony Curran), who also happens to be a sworn enemy of Clan MacKenzie.
Centuries away, Lt. Henry Beauchamp is watching his men get slaughtered on the frontlines of the First World War. It’s 1917, and having lost faith in humanity, Henry writes open letters, not just as a soldier amid destruction, but as a witness to it. By happenstance, one of his letters is intercepted by Julia Moriston, a razor-sharp woman who has put her education on hold to work at the Postal and Telegraph Censorship Office. Through eloquent prose and whispered secrets, the pair strike up a friendship which becomes something much more intimate throughout the war.
Series universe expansions can be challenging, especially when viewers are reintroduced to characters they’ve already known at different periods in their lives, or when these characters are coming to life on-screen for the first time. Still, “Blood of My Blood” knocks it out of the park. Roy’s Brian looks eerily similar to Heughan’s Jamie, and Balfe and Corfield bear a striking resemblance to one another. Fan favorites, including Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser (portrayed here by Rory Alexander), also echo the older versions of their characters.
Moreover, like Jamie and Claire’s love story, the romances between Ellen and Brian as well as Henry and Julia are both filled with the same longing and desire that made the initial show so captivating. The chemistry between the couples is electrifying and realistic even when there appears to be limited options for resolution or reconnection. Anchoring the 10-episode first season (critics received six for review), one is a forbidden affair and the other, a once-in-a-lifetime connection severed by a shocking incident.
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Like “Outlander,” “Blood of My Blood” has no shortage of steamy sex scenes. Still, the sexy headiness is only one grand element of this time-bending series. The historical aspects of “Blood of My Blood” make it uniquely engaging for both “Outlander” fans and those new to the world. The show presents a nuanced portrayal of wartime and post-war London at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as the rugged Highlands on the eve of an early Jacobite rebellion. Although Henry and Brian are certainly compelling and vital characters, the narrative is sharpest when focusing on Ellen and Julia. Their respective journeys offer audiences a unique perspective on the trials and tribulations of women navigating the perils of patriarchal societies across the ages. Moreover, an unforeseen twist adds an extra enticing layer to the already stirring and genre-defying show.
Prequels and sequels rarely stand up to the original work. Yet, “Outlander: Blood of My Blood” is a rare gem, glittering brightly on its own. Perfectly cast and well-acted, while honoring the source material, the show retains all the beautiful components that make “Outlander” so beloved, yet stands singularly on its own. Fascinating and detailed, the show highlights all the reasons why the first series was so addictive in the first place, while allowing a brand-new cast to shine.
“Outlander: Blood of My Blood” premieres Aug. 8 on Starz with new episodes dropping weekly on Fridays.
From Variety US