Since 2014, Jamie and Claire Fraser have taken us through the struggles of pain, yearning and the ever-bright burning love that tore them apart, and drew them together. Now, as the eighth and final season of Outlander draws their story to an end, there is no better time for the release of the prequel series Outlander: Blood of my Blood.
The premiere, set to be released on Saturday, 9 August in Australia (exclusively on Stan), has fans counting down the days for the next Sassenach hit to grace their screens. With both the trailer and the opening sequence available for you to watch now – here’s what we know so far.
This time, we’re following the paths of the Frasers and the Beauchamps – four people responsible for parenting the ultimate love story we know so well. In World War I England, we see Julia Moriston (portrayed by Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (portrayed by Jeremy Irvine) writing letters to one another. As Julia lives the perils of London in the war time, Beauchamp is facing the battlefield head on; only their written words on kiss-sealed paper can keep them going through the hardest fight either of them have faced.
The trailer shows us small glimpses of the 20th Century timeline, from reuniting, to the struggles of PTSD, and the birth of their child, Claire Beauchamp. As they are torn apart and brought back together again, their story inevitably climaxes as they crash into the Scottish hillside after attempting to avoid a deer. We know from the Outlander series that Claire told of her parents dying in a car accident when she was five. Could this mean we will see this event in the premiere season? Only time will tell.
18th Century Scotland seems to be no closer to peace. A chemistry-filled introduction between Ellen MacKenzie (portrayed by Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (portrayed by Jamie Roy) is quickly flipped on its side with nods towards a familial war between the neighboring clans. Stealing looks and hidden intimacy are all these two can give each other as Ellen states to her secret love, “My father detests yours.”
These two provide the yearning that is needed in a quality love story, and it looks to be the driving force in any choice either of them will make in the first season. Through the fast-paced clips, we can see that the issue will ultimately come to a head as the two clans face off in a real-life Battle of the Shirts (1544) inspired battle. The question is, will love conquer all?
Ever the lover of history, Outlander author Diana Gabaldon continues to ensure elements of historical truth weave their way through the story. As the creative consultant of the series, she worked closely with showrunner and executive producer Matthew B. Roberts, and executive producers Ronald D. Moore, Maril Davis, Jim Kohlberg – even penning a few of the episodes herself – and continued to show the Pagan inspiration that feeds the overarching plot.
Combined with the angelic sounds of Julie Fowlis, composer Bear McCreary has created another memorable intro, to provide us with a hauntingly beautiful Gàidhlig (Gaelic) and English tune that sets the scene for what lies ahead.
Final snippets of a dream-like wedding between Ellen and an unknown character, masked beings dancing around a fire, and a close up shot of a handfasting between what we hope to be the MacKenzie-Fraser unification, both the trailer and the opening sequence invite us to a world of magic and mystery.
Though years apart, these parallel love stories will soon come together as it appears Julia has discovered the powers of the ancient stone circle at Craigh na Dun, long before Claire had her first experience of time-travel! With scenes showing the familiar imagery of real life Midhope Castle, the main filming site for Outlander’s Lallybroch, Julie has found herself almost in another world – 1714 Scotland. Will she be able to find her way back to Henry? Or will Henry find his own way through the stones? So many questions float around the air as Julia decides to help push Ellen towards her true love, a burning romantic accepting she is stuck in a new timeline.
The rest of the trailer sees us flipping between forbidden love, and distant lovers. Combine this with the paralleling shots of the two women waiting, and the two men lost, wandering in the opening title sequence – we can safely say you’re in for even more emotional turmoil with this new series.
The Stan Exclusive Series ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ premieres August 9, followed by new episodes every Saturday, only on Stan in Australia.
