With Outlander coming to an end, Outlander: Blood of My Blood has been a welcome replacement. The steamy historical romance prequel follows Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire’s (Caitríona Balfe) respective parents and how their love stories unfolded. Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) engage in a forbidden romance set in Scotland during the 1700s, while Henry (Jeremy Irvine) and Julia Beauchamp (Hermione Corfield) meet and marry during World War I. Similarly to Outlander, Blood of My Blood also features time traveling, with Henry and Julia accidentally landing in a different century after touching the stones.
Several characters in Blood of My Blood are part of Outlander or have been mentioned in the series, so it’s exciting to get to know them at different stages of their lives. The prequel allows viewers to get to know some of the supporting characters in Outlander at a deeper level and get to learn more about how Jamie and Claire’s parents fell in love and might’ve had a bit of a role in their fated union. With so many characters in the prequel series, it’s hard to pinpoint the best ones, but here are our picks.
10
Jocasta MacKenzie Cameron
Played by Sadhbh Malin
Outlander fans were first introduced to the older version of Jocasta (played by Maria Doyle Kennedy), but the character is in a completely different stage in her life in Blood of My Blood. In the prequel, Jocasta (Sadhbh Malin) is presented as one of Ellen’s younger sisters, who wasn’t so fortunate to choose who she would get married to. Part of her resents Ellen and the relationship that she had with their father, because Ellen was spared a lot of the turmoil she’s facing in a loveless marriage.
Although Jocasta is far from kind to her eldest sister, her actions come with a deeper meaning. One of Ellen’s many admirers is Murtaugh Fitzgibbons Fraser (Rory Alexander), who is part of the MacKenzie’s rival clan. Jocasta is immediately drawn to Murtaugh after they meet earlier in the season, and sees an opportunity to get intimate with him at Beltane. Yet, their passionate kiss ends with Murtaugh calling for Ellen, which breaks Jocasta’s heart. Underneath her stern expression, Jocasta is a very sensitive character who just wants to experience true love.
9
Colum MacKenzie
Played by Seamus McLean Ross
Colum MacKenzie (Seamus McLean Ross) is chosen as Laird of Leoch, because of his intelligence and determination to protect the clan. He might’ve betrayed Ellen’s trust by promising her hand in marriage to Malcolm Grant (Jhon Lumsden), but all of his decisions are made with the intention of protecting their father’s legacy and keeping a grip on his newly appointed title.
Although Season 1 hasn’t given Colum as much onscreen time, from what we’ve seen, he proves to be a man with his family’s best interests at heart. His approach to leadership might be different to that of their father’s, but he is still trying the best that he can to manage the long-standing debt his father left in his wake and fortify alliances.
8
Dougal MacKenzie
Played by Sam Retford
Dougal (Sam Retford) is hot-headed and will often act on his emotions instead of being more rational like Colum. Still, he is a skilled fighter who will do whatever it takes to lead the MacKenzie clan to victory on the battlefield. He and Colum share responsibilities for leading the clan, with Dougal being appointed as War Chieftain. His role allows him to hone in on his physical strength and military prowess, protecting the clan from any imminent threat.
We also don’t get to spend as much time with Dougal as other characters in the series, but from what was presented about him during his limited appearance in Season 1 is that he is impulsive but also hellbent on protecting Ellen’s honor. We’ve also seen him become a fierce supporter of the Jacobite cause, which is further explored in Outlander.
7
Davina Porter
Played by Sara Vickers
It is a common theme throughout Blood of My Blood to see women not getting the opportunity to choose their own fate. Davina Porter (Sara Vickers), Brian’s mother and a servant at Lord Lovat’s (Tony Curran) house, is one of the many women in this prequel who have their lives defined by her lack of autonomy. Not only was she forced to get intimate with Lord Lovat and give birth to his bastard son, but she’s been confined to a life of servitude and no room to speak her mind.
When Julia arrives at the house, Davina tries her best to give her advice on what to do in order for Julia to remain outside of Lord Lovat’s eyesight. Although she does feel threatened after Julia’s baby is said to be the future king, all that she wants is for her and her son to be safe. Davina and Julia’s growing friendship in the last few episodes of Blood of My Blood has been a pleasant surprise.
6
Ned Gowan
Played by Conor MacNeil
Some supporting characters are so kind and considerate that their goodness makes up for their lack of screen time. That is certainly the case for Ned Gowan (Conor MacNeil), who is the counsel for Clan MacKenzie. After Red Jacob’s (Peter Mullan) passing, Ned takes it upon himself to guide Colum and Dougal in their respective roles and preserve the peace. He also has a good relationship with Ellen, trying his best to make sure that she is cared for even without her father’s protection.
This season showed Ned making several negotiations in favor of the clan, becoming a dependable ally for Henry Beauchamp. Henry represents Clan Grant in negotiations, and the two have found common ground on most of the issues they’ve discussed. Ned has been a faithful confidante for Henry, as he navigates the new reality he is immersed in and his constant urge to reunite with Julia.
5
Murtaugh Fitzgibbons Fraser
Played by Rory Alexander
Murtaugh is Brian’s cousin, and he is best described as a hopeless romantic. The character is a fan-favorite in the Outlander universe, and in the prequel, we get to learn more about his backstory. From the moment he sets eyes on Ellen, he is immediately attracted to her and wants her to be his wife. On the few occasions that they cross paths, he tries to approach Ellen and make her realize his feelings for her. His bond with Brian is tested once Murtaugh finds out that Brian not only loves Ellen, but she also loves him back. This revelation affects Murtaugh deeply, and although we know he will eventually reconcile with Brian, audiences can’t help but feel for him.
As previously mentioned, Jocasta demonstrates interest in Murtaugh despite her being married to someone else. He might not feel the same way about her as he does Ellen, but viewers can tell that he likes her, too. Their scenes together in Beltane seem like a sneak peek into their eventual reunion in the colonies in Outlander Season 4.
4
Brian Fraser
Played by Jamie Roy
Brian might be a bastard, destined to live a humble life, but his love for Ellen challenges everything he accepts about his future. Ellen is part of Clan MacKenzie, which makes her the enemy given his father’s long-standing rivalry with her father. Still, the heart wants what it wants, Brian falls for Ellen soon after their first encounter. Brian’s instincts are to leave Ellen alone and let her marry Malcolm, because he could never give her the comfort and lifestyle that she deserves.
Yet, with a little push from Julia, he continues to secretly meet with Ellen and their romance progresses. Now that more people are aware of their relationship, the future might look uncertain for them both. However, as Outlander fans well know, they will eventually get married and have children, one of them being Jamie. Brian’s kindness and respect of the women in his life prove that he is one of the best characters in the prequel, and deserving of happiness after all the suffering he has endured from Lord Lovat.
3
Julia Beauchamp
Played by Hermione Corfield
From the first time Julia appears onscreen, she’s presented as a clever and nurturing woman who falls for Henry by corresponding with him through letters during World War I. After returning home from the battlefield, they get married and soon after welcome their daughter, Claire. Julia’s greatest qualities are that she is quick to find solutions to any challenges that come her way (including fooling Lord Lovat into thinking that her and Henry’s baby was his), her unwavering devotion to her family, and her generosity towards Brian and Davina.
After traveling through the stones, Julia went through thick and thin under Lord Lovat’s roof. Despite being parted from her husband and daughter, she continues to hold onto the hope that they will reunite. Every decision she makes is to protect herself and her newborn baby, and even though her actions affect Davina and Brian, she tries her best to also help them.
2
Henry Beauchamp
Played by Jeremy Irvine
Henry is tormented by the terrors he witnessed during the war, watching countless men die on the battlefield. Julia’s responses to his letters are what keeps him going throughout that time, and after they get married, it is her who comforts him when he is having nightmares and panic attacks. When they are parted after traveling through the stones, Henry struggles to deal with PTSD by himself and misses his wife and daughter every day. Henry’s ultimate goal is to get reunited with them, and he reaches out to Ned for assistance in doing so.
Throughout Season 1, Henry’s devotion to his family and his ease of fitting into his new post as part of Clan Grant allows him to live in a different century almost seamlessly. Maybe that’s due to his military background, having to find ways to survive with few resources at his grasp. It’s been interesting to see him confront his past, while also doing whatever it takes to be with the woman that he loves.
1
Ellen MacKenzie
Played by Harriet Slater
Out of all the main characters, Ellen is the ultimate protagonist of Blood of My Blood simply because she has all the qualities to make a great laird, but the only thing that keeps her from stepping into a leadership role is the fact that she’s a woman. Ellen was Red Jacob’s ultimate pick to be his successor, and if these were different times, she would’ve ascended to power. However, even without a title, Ellen puts her leadership skills to the test by advising her brothers about working together instead of fighting to become lairds.
Despite being in love with Brian, Ellen carries on with the engagement to Malcolm Grant because part of her knows that this might benefit the clan, and she wants the best for her family. Still, in the few moments that she can be with the person that she loves, she doesn’t take it for granted. She and Brian seize every single opportunity that they can to be with each other, and even though their romance is forbidden, viewers can’t help but root for them to get the happy ending they so rightfully deserve.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood
Release Date
August 8, 2025
Showrunner
Matthew B. Roberts
Directors
Jamie Payne
Harriet Slater
Ellen MacKenzie
Hermione Corfield
Julia Moriston
