The First Images From 'Outlander: Blood of My Blood' Take Us to the Past

Starz has released the first images from its forthcoming prequel series Outlander: Blood of My Blood, which will explore the family histories of the flagship series' popular leads. The original Outlander, which is currently in its seventh season, follows the time-traveling romance between Claire Randall (Catriona Baife), a World War II nurse, and eighteenth-century Scottish warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). Their love story spans both centuries and continents, and the show has proven so popular that it's honestly surprising it hasn't gotten a spin-off of some sort before right now. 

Blood of My Blood will take the franchise back to Scotland --- the original series has spent its most recent seasons in France and America --- to focus on the dramatic love story of Jamie's parents, Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser. While we know a few details about Ellen's life thanks to Claire's time as a guest among the MacKenzie clan during Outlander's first season, most of their relationship is a mystery, leaving the show plenty of gaps to explore. We could see everything from Ellen and Brian's courtship to a young Jamie pop up at some point. (One has to assume various forms of clan strife are a given on a show like this.)

Ellen and Brian's love story won't be the only one this series focuses on. In keeping with Outlander's time-bending premise, Blood of My Blood will simultaneously follow the relationship between Julia Morston and Henry Beauchamp, Claire's mother and father. Set in two different historical periods, the show will move between the 18th century Scottish Highlands and World War I England. 

“We’re thrilled to be telling the stories of these two couples," Matthew B. Roberts, showrunner of both Outlander series, previously said in a statement. "The origins of their relationships explore universal themes that transcend time periods and we’re so excited for fans to discover and fall in love with these characters and their love stories the way they have with Claire and Jamie.

Belgravia: The Next Chapter star Harriet Slater will play Ellen MacKenzie, alongside Jamie Roy (Condor's Nest) as Brian Fraser. Hermione Corfield (We Hunt Together) will play Claire's mother, Julia, while Jeremy Irvine (Dalgliesh) takes on the role of Henry Beauchamp. 

They'll be joined by an array of characters who will be very familiar to fans of the Outlander franchise, the majority of which had key roles during the original series' first season when the show was more focused on the internal politics of life in Scotland  Rory Alexander (Pistol) will play a young Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, a role originated by Duncan LaCroix. Sam Retford (Coronation Street) is headstrong Dougal MacKenzie, with Seamus McLean Ross (Payback) as his cunning older brother Colum MacKenzie, and Conor MacNeill (The Tourist) as a younger version of their faithful advisor Ned Gowan. (These roles were originally played by Graham McTavish, Gary Lewis, and Bill Paterson, respectively.)

Roberts, the current co-showrunner of the mothership series, is writing the prequel and executive producing along Maril Davis. Outlander author Diana Gabaldon will also serve as a consulting producer.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood is currently filming in Scotland. The ten-episode first season does not yet have a premiere date, though it is expected to arrive in 2025.