Outlandermade a rather silly change from the book series, which could be a bigger problem for the upcoming spinoff,Outlander: Blood of My Blood. Though the Starz TV series has made a great many changes to author Diana Gabaldon’s stories, some have proven more unpopular than others. For the most part, these changes will have minimal impact onOutlanderas the franchise continues. However, a few wild decisions, especially those connected to characters expected to appear inBlood of My Blood, could demonstrate an unfortunate ripple effect.
Outlander: Blood of My Bloodwill be seta couple of decades (in both timelines) before Jamie and Claire ever met.The spinoff series will follow both characters' respective parents as they fall in love.Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie—Jamie’s parents—will meet one another in the 18th century, while Henry Beauchamp and Julia Moriston—Claire’s parents—will come together in the 20th century.Outlander: Blood of My Bloodis especially exciting becauseOutlanderaudiences are already familiar with many members of Jamie’s family. However, this is where the problem lies.
Murtagh & Jocasta’s Romance Never Happened In The Outlander Books
This Was An Invention Of The Outlander TV Show
Murtagh Fitzgibbons is Jamie’s beloved godfather inOutlander, and he quickly became a fan favorite in the TV series. This is likely why the Starz showrunners decided to make a big change to his on-screen character. In Diana Gabaldon’s books, Murtagh died during the Battle of Culloden. However, in theOutlandershow, Jamie was reunited with his godfather in North Carolina. This is an example of an excellent change from canon on the show’s part. However,the continued story of Murtagh falling in love with Jamie’s aunt, Jocasta, was a bit less popularwith audiences.
Outlander: Blood of My Bloodis expected to premiere during the summer of 2025.
It’s clear from early inMurtagh’sOutlanderarcthat he was in love with Jamie’s mother, Ellen. It was for this love that Murtagh dedicated himself to Jamie, and this plays a significant role in the relationship between these two characters. However,this was somewhat cheapened by the romance the TV show developed between Murtach and Jocasta, who was Ellen’s own sister. What’s more, this unpopular relationship contributed almost nothing to either character’s arc. Murtagh died, and Jocasta disappeared fromOutlander. In the end, it all felt entirely needless.
Both Murtagh & Jocasta Will Be In Outlander: Blood Of My Blood (But They Definitely Won’t Be In Love)
These Characters Have Close Ties To Brian Fraser & Ellen MacKenzie
The pointless and silly romance between Murtagh and Jocasta will become even more strange afterOutlander: Blood of My Blood. Younger versions of both characters will be featured in the spinoff series, whereMurtagh will be played by Rory Alexander and Jocasta by Sadhbh Malin. Murtagh is meant to be madly in love with Ellen at this point inOutlander’s timeline, and audiences will know that this unrequited passion will ultimately lead his character to be unendingly devoted to Ellen’s son, Jamie. However,Outlander’simplication that Murtagh was also in love with Jocasta is a problem.
Outlander: Blood Of My Blood Trailer Previews Love Stories Of Claire & Jamie’s Parents In Different Timelines
Starz unleashes a trailer for the prequel series Outlander: Blood of My Blood, teasing the two epic love stories that the upcoming show will tell.
As unpopular as Murtagh and Jocasta’s romance was in Outlander, it’s unlikely to sit any better with audiences in the prequel story.
In theOutlanderTV show, Murtagh and Jocasta discussed the former’s love for Ellen. However, it was also mentioned that Murtagh had always felt affection for Jocasta as well. IfBlood of My Bloodhopes to remain cohesive with its parent series, then this is something we will have to see on screen in the upcoming spinoff. As unpopular as Murtagh and Jocasta’s romance was inOutlander, it’s unlikely to sit any better with audiences in the prequel story. However, ignoring Murtagh and Jocasta’s connection would be just as big an issue. The Starz series has backed itself into an awkward corner here.
A Different Outlander Change Could Make Murtagh’s Blood Of My Blood Character Better
Knowing Murtagh’s Ending Makes His Story Even More Impactful
Though Murtagh and Jocasta’s romance will makeBlood of My Bloodmore complicated, the other big change surrounding Jamie’s godfather could benefit the spinoff. Murtagh’s book death at Culloden was undoubtedly tragic, but the TV series improved his story when it reunited him with Jamie in North Carolina. Then, Murtagh fighting for the Regulators in the earliest conflicts of the American Revolution made this character’s overarching story all the more rewarding. It wasone of those rare instances when a TV show’s change was actually betterthan how things played out in the books.
The knowledge that Murtagh would one day die in Jamie’s arms after serving as one of the United States' earliest rebels can make this character’s presence inBlood of My Bloodeven more meaningful.
The knowledge that Murtagh would one day die in Jamie’s arms after serving as one of the United States' earliest rebels can make thischaracter’s presence inBlood of My Bloodeven more meaningful. His love for Ellen may never be returned, but we can watch Murtagh’s story in theOutlanderspinoff play out, knowing that he would remain dedicated to Ellen’s son and the fight for freedom until the very end. Overall, even with the strange Jocasta romance, there is a lot to look forward to within thisOutlanderstory.
