Outlander: Blood of My Blood – Harriet Slater, Jamie Roy & Maril Davis on Love, Legacy, and the Origins of an Epic Romance

The world of Outlander has always been rich with sweeping romance, lush landscapes, and characters whose love stories stand the test of time. With Outlander: Blood of My Blood, executive producer Maril Davis and her team take us further back than ever before—exploring the origins of not one but two love stories that ultimately shaped the saga we know so well.

The idea for Blood of My Blood was sparked during the production of Outlander, when Davis and showrunner Matthew B. Roberts began brainstorming ways to expand the universe. One question in particular lit the creative fuse for Matthew: what really happened to Claire’s parents?

“In the books, it’s said they die, but we never hear much about them,” Davis recalls. “Matt came into my office one day and said, ‘What if they went through the stones?’ It opened up an entirely new avenue for stories and I loved the full circle idea that both Jamie and Claire’s parents actually played a role in bringing them together.”

For Harriet Slater, who plays Ellen MacKenzie, her audition chemistry read with co-star Jamie Roy (Brian Fraser) was her first ever and a rather unconventional one. On a bank holiday Monday, the two actors found themselves in a near empty room, reading to a Zoom screen of casting directors.

Jamie Roy remembers the moment vividly: “I’d already read with seven other talented actresses, but something was missing. Then Harriet came in, and the scene took on a life of its own. I knew instantly she was the one. She makes me better as an actor.” Harriet laughs remembering the adrenaline rush: “As soon as they yelled cut, I collapsed on the floor with relief. I’d been stressing about the accent, the preparation time… everything.”

The series returns to its Scottish roots—both literally and emotionally. Davis says Scotland is always “number one on the call sheet,” and Blood of My Blood fully embraces its rugged beauty. But the romance isn’t forced. “The landscapes, the relationships, they’re already there. We just let them play out naturally,” she explains.

For Harriet, perfecting Ellen’s Highland dialect was an essential part of the transformation. With the help of a dedicated dialect coach and even fellow cast member Ryan Fletcher, she earned praise from native Scots for her flawless delivery, a rare feat.

At its core, Blood of My Blood follows two parallel romances: the thunderclap love at first sight between Brian and Ellen, and the slower, letter bound courtship of Julia and Henry. The creative team worked to ensure each felt distinct yet equally compelling.

For Jamie, Brian’s relationship with Ellen offers a rare vulnerability. “When he’s with everyone else, it’s like he’s bracing himself. With Ellen, he can finally breathe out,” he says. Harriet adds, “Ellen is her truest self with Brian. He’s the only one who doesn’t try to control her.”

Ellen’s journey is also one of agency in a world that denies it to women. Raised by a father who encouraged her independence, she now finds her brothers stripping it away to serve their political ambitions. “She has to use her intelligence and persuasion to influence the decisions being made about her life,” Harriet explains. “It’s like playing chess when you’re the piece, not the player.”

Meanwhile, Brian’s arc challenges his acceptance of life’s limitations. Born out of wedlock, he’s made peace with his place in society until meeting Ellen stirs new ambitions. “By the end of the season, he’s taken real agency,” Jamie says.

With breathtaking scenery, layered performances, and the kind of emotional depth fans crave, this prequel promises to be more than just an origin tale, it’s a reminder of why Outlander endures.

Watch the full conversation below:

Q&A on the Starz series Outlander: Blood of My Blood with cast Harriet Slater & Jamie Roy and executive producer Maril Davis. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company.

This prequel to the Outlander series focuses on the lives and courtship of the parents of Jamie Fraser: Brian Fraser and Ellen Mackenzie as well as Claire Beauchamp's parents, Henry Beauchamp and Julia Moriston.