Since the release of Outlander in 2014, fans have turned to Diana Gabaldon’s popular novels for their fix. There’s some excitement around the new series, Outlander: My Blood. It’s set within the same universe, and yes, it seems to be rooted in the books as well.
In 2020, Gabaldon confirmed on social media that she was working on a prequel about Jamie Fraser’s parents, Brian and Ellen. Over time, she’s shared snippets and sample chapters. So, you might think My Blood is based on this unpublished work, right?
Well, it has a bit of a twist. The show doesn’t just focus on Jamie’s parents but also includes Claire. In Gabaldon’s lore, Claire lost her parents at a young age and was raised by her quirky uncle. But in My Blood, Claire’s backstory shifts—her parents are said to have not died in a car accident but instead traveled through the stones. The details remain unclear, and it appears this narrative was developed by the showrunner, Matthew B. Roberts.
So, is Outlander: My Blood based on a book? And what about Gabaldon’s writing about Jamie’s parents? Let’s break down what we know regarding the book that sparked this new Outlander adaptation.
Is Outlander: My Blood based on a book?
In a way, yes. Watching Outlander: My Blood, viewers will discover it features characters developed by Diana Gabaldon. She has created Brian, Ellen, Henry, and Julia within her expansive universe. Although Claire has scant memories of her parents, the influences they’ve had on the story are significant.
The series dramatizes various events mentioned in the original books, including Martag’s unrequited affection for Ellen and the feud between the Mackenzie brothers and Brian. Still, there isn’t a specific book acting as a reference for the series. It’s more of a fusion of Gabaldon’s world and Roberts’ creative interpretations.
Currently, there isn’t a book directly accompanying the series, at least not one available yet.
Is Diana Gabaldon still writing about Jamie’s parents?
Yes, she is! Gabaldon recently confirmed she’s still working on the book detailing Jamie’s parents. However, she noted that her version may diverge from what we see in My Blood, implying that Julia and Henry might not appear in her narrative.
Moreover, she’s also busy crafting the tenth and final installment of the Outlander series for Claire and Jamie. The title of this concluding book was recently shared—Blessings for warriors who go outside. It seems that this project takes precedence over her prequel.
Where to read Outlander
If you’re eager to dive into the Outlander series and soak up more of the Fraser-McKenzie family drama, the original book is available on Kindle for just $5.99.
