Even time travel has an ending. Outlander, which is currently between its sixth and seventh seasons, will come to its end with a ten-episode eighth season. But it’s not the end of the Outlander television universe: Starz has officially ordered Outlander: Blood of My Blood, a prequel series that’s been in the works since at least last February.
Blood of My Blood, like the original Outlander series, comes from author Diana Gabaldon, a consulting producer on the prequel. Matthew B. Roberts is the new series’ writer, showrunner, and executive producer; he shares that last title with Ronald D. Moore and Maril Davis, who also developed and are producers on the original Outlander.
The ten-episode prequel series focuses on the romance of Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser, parents of Jamie Fraser. In a statement, Roberts said:
“Outlander: Blood of My Blood is, at its heart, a love story. It will explore what lengths a person will go to find love in a time when love is considered a luxury, and when marriages are made strategically, often for political or financial gain. The title is a nod to Jamie Fraser’s marriage vow to Claire and there will be several names and faces that Outlander fans will know and recognize. Jamie and Claire’s TV story may be coming to an end with season eight, but Diana is continuing on with their literary journey in her wonderful book series and is working diligently on book ten. With Jamie and Claire, and now Brian and Ellen, there is still so much more to come in the Outlander universe, and we cannot wait to continue sharing these stories with our dedicated fans.”
Meanwhile, the seventh season of the original Outlander is scheduled to premiere this summer. The sixteen-episode season is based on Gabaldon’s novel An Echo in the Bone.
