An 'Outlander' Prequel Series is in the Works at Starz
Premium cable network Starz is reportedly working on a prequel series based on its megapopular period romance series Outlander. The drama, which is about to kick off its sixth season, is based on author Diana Gabaldon's bestselling series of novels of the same name and has been one of the most successful properties for the network, following the time-traveling love story between Claire Randall (Catriona Balfe), a World War II nurse, and eighteenth-century Scottish warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan).
Given the success of Outlander for the network, the only real question here is why Starz hasn't greenlit something like this before now. Over five years into its run, Outlander remains one of the cable channel's most popular series, as well as one of its most critically acclaimed. (And if you can handle the frequent rape and near constant threat of brutal sexual violence, it has some truly fantastic female characters.)
According to Variety, who first broke the news of this project, executive producer and showrunner Matthew B. Roberts is attached to write and produce the prequel. Ronald D. Moore, who developed the original Outlander for television, will also be involved as an executive producer.
