We were very close to a highly requested Outlander spinoff becoming a reality, and though things fell through, it might not be too late. The central Outlander series will soon come to a close with season 8, and that begs the question of what is next for the overall franchise. Over the years, several spinoff ideas have been requested, and it’s always been evident that there is much left to explore within this fantasy universe. Starz obviously felt the same way, and the spinoff Outlander: Blood of My Blood is expected to premiere during the summer of 2025.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood is not based on any of Diana Gabaldon’s books. Instead, the spinoff will take inspiration from what has been revealed about Jamie and Claire’s respective parents. The series will jump back and forth between Claire’s parents, Henry Beauchamp and Julia Moriston, in the 20th century and Jamie’s parents, Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie, in the 18th. These two love stories in Blood of My Blood are sure to work as excellent follow-ups to Jamie and Claire’s adventures. However, this isn’t the Outlander spinoff we have been asking for.
A Lord John Grey Outlander Spinoff Almost Happened
There Was A Script & Everything
Gabaldon has her own spinoff book series based on her Outlander adventures, and fans have been begging for these to be adapted to the screen. The Lord John books follow the character of Lord John Grey through his young years and early adulthood, and the established canon here made a spinoff TV show seem inevitable. Of course, rather than confirmation for a Lord John show, Starz announced Outlander: Blood of My Blood. Actor David Berry, who plays Lord John in Outlander, has since revealed they were as close as could be to a spinoff following his character.
Leading up to the release of Outlander season 7, part 2, Berry revealed (via Deadline) that there was a script and everything for a Lord John spinoff series and that he himself had already agreed to return. This was back in 2018, around the time that Outlander season 4 was on the air. All these years later, the spinoff has had no further development. Berry revealed that it had come down to the network and that “it was decided that that wasn’t the right fit.” To make the whole situation even more tragic, Berry emphasized his continued eagerness to do the show. Unfortunately, a Lord John spinoff isn’t currently in the cards.
Outlander Season 8 & Blood Of My Blood’s Performance Could Open The Door For More Spinoffs
Perhaps There Is Still A Chance
The fact that there was a script ready to go for a Lord John spinoff indicates that this Outlander series could still happen one day. The script is likely in a drawer somewhere, ready to be pulled out when the time seems right. Precisely when that would be is anyone’s guess. However, it’s unlikely to happen until Starz can gauge the potential of the overarching franchise. Outlander season 8 is on the way, as well as the first season of Outlander: Blood of My Blood. If neither performs well in terms of viewership, we can kiss a Lord John spinoff goodbye.
The script is likely in a drawer somewhere, ready to be pulled out when the time seems right.
Our best bet in making a Lord John spinoff happen may be to tune in for the coming installments in the Outlander series. It would show the network that audiences are still eager for stories set in Jamie and Claire’s world, and Lord John’s adventures would be the logical next step. Of course, only time will tell if Outlander fans’ message gets through to those who need to hear it.