With Outlander wrapping up its epic run, Outlander: Blood of My Blood steps in as a passionate prequel that dives deep into the love stories that shaped Jamie and Claire’s destinies. The show takes fans back in time to meet their parents — Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) in the rugged Scottish Highlands of the 1700s, and Henry (Jeremy Irvine) and Julia Beauchamp (Hermione Corfield) in the chaos of World War I.
It’s got everything an Outlander fan could ask for — forbidden love, power struggles, heartbreak, and yes, even some time travel. When Henry and Julia accidentally stumble through the stones, history starts to twist in all the right ways. Beyond the steamy romances, the show gives long-time viewers the gift of rediscovering familiar names from Outlander in their younger, more uncertain years. It’s part nostalgia, part revelation — and it’s fun to see how these characters’ early lives shaped the legends we came to know.
Here’s a look at the major faces of Outlander: Blood of My Blood — ranked worst to best.
12. Malcolm Grant
Portrayed By: Jhon Lumsden
Every love story needs a speed bump, and Malcolm Grant fits that role perfectly. Played by Jhon Lumsden, Malcolm is Ellen’s ill-fated suitor — charming enough on paper but mostly remembered as the man who stood in the way of true love. The son of Isaac Grant, he’s the kind of character you feel a little bad for but can’t really root for either. Ellen finally realizes that her brothers will never keep their promises. She decides to walk away from her engagement. But it feels less like betrayal and more like liberation.
Malcolm isn’t necessarily a villain. He is more like the wrong puzzle piece that everyone keeps trying to fit into the picture. His presence is mostly symbolic. He doesn’t get much depth or redemption. But in a story full of fiery personalities, someone had to be the awkward roadblock.
Poor Malcolm — the man history forgot because love had better plans.
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11. Lord Lovat (Simon Fraser)
Portrayed By: Tony Curran
If there’s one character who makes skin crawl across every generation of Outlander, it’s Lord Lovat — and Tony Curran plays him with just the right amount of menace. Known as Simon Fraser, he’s a man whose name practically drips with arrogance and cruelty. Fans met an older version of him, portrayed by Clive Russell, in Outlander, but Blood of My Blood peels back the curtain to show how this reputation was forged.
This Lord Lovat isn’t just ruthless. He is the root of much of the Fraser family’s pain. His tyranny shapes Brian’s worldview. He treats the people around him as property rather than people. Watching him maneuver through power and manipulation makes it easy to see how the Fraser name became tainted. This happened long before Jamie carried it into the future.
He is fascinating to watch because he’s so awful. In a world of lovers and dreamers, Lovat is the monster. He reminds everyone what they’re fighting against. If pride were a crown, Lord Lovat would never take it off — even to sleep.
10. Davina Porter
Portrayed By: Sara Vickers
If Blood of My Blood teaches us anything, it’s that women in that world barely got to write their own stories. Davina Porter, played beautifully by Sara Vickers, is living proof of that. She’s Brian Fraser’s mother and a servant in Lord Lovat’s house — a woman trapped in a life she never chose. Forced into an unwanted relationship with her master, she carries his child and his cruelty in silence.
There’s something quietly heartbreaking about her. But beneath that quietness, there’s steel. When Julia Beauchamp arrives, Davina instantly recognizes that same fear, that same uncertainty. She becomes her silent protector, whispering warnings and offering small kindnesses in a world that’s anything but kind. Their bond feels fragile but real. Even when gossip and suspicion swirl around Julia’s pregnancy, Davina never loses her humanity. She just wants safety, for herself and her son.
9. Jocasta Cameron
Portrayed By: Sadhbh Malin
Outlander fans know Jocasta Cameron as the elegant, sharp-tongued matriarch from the main series — but in Blood of My Blood, we meet a very different Jocasta. Played by Sadhbh Malin, this younger version of Ellen’s sister is fragile. She is frustrated and furious at the world around her. She is trapped in a loveless marriage. Jocasta’s bitterness toward Ellen runs deep.
Her resentment isn’t just envy — it’s pain. She’s watching her sister live freely while she’s bound by duty. Beneath her sharp edges, Jocasta is a woman aching to feel wanted. When she meets Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser (Rory Alexander), sparks fly instantly. She mistakes that attraction for hope. But only to be crushed when Murtagh’s heart calls out for Ellen instead. It’s one of those devastatingly human moments. Here, love, jealousy, and heartbreak collide.
This younger Jocasta isn’t the commanding woman fans remember. She’s soft, raw, and deeply human — the scars that shaped her later strength are right here on display. Falling for your sister’s admirer? That’s one family dinner you’ll never forget.
8. Ned Gowan
Portrayed By: Conor MacNeil
Ned Gowan (Conor MacNeil) makes you wish he had his own spinoff. The clan counsel for the MacKenzies, Ned is intelligent, calm, and endlessly dependable — the kind of man who fixes problems while everyone else is busy making them worse. After the death of Red Jacob (Peter Mullan), Ned becomes the steady hand guiding Colum and Dougal MacKenzie. He helps them through their leadership challenges.
He is not a warrior or a schemer. He is just a genuinely good man trying to keep peace where chaos thrives. Ned also shares a strong bond with Ellen, watching over her in the absence of her father’s protection. Beyond that, his connection with Henry Beauchamp adds an unexpected twist — the two men find common ground as they negotiate for their respective clans. Ned becomes Henry’s confidante, grounding him as he struggles between duty and his longing to reunite with Julia.
He might not have the flashiest storyline, but Ned represents the rare kindness that holds an entire clan together. If calmness were a sword, Ned would win every battle without swinging it.
7. Colum MacKenzie
Portrayed By: Seamus McLean Ross
Colum MacKenzie (Seamus McLean Ross) may not be the flashiest leader in the show. But he’s certainly one of the most complex. He is the new Laird of Leoch. He carries the heavy weight of responsibility with quiet strength. Colum’s decisions aren’t always popular, like when he promises Ellen’s hand to Malcolm Grant. But they always come from a place of duty.
He is constantly trying to balance everything. He has loyalty to his family in the political realities of clan life. His leadership style differs from his father’s. He is less emotional, more tactical. But it’s what the times demand.
Even with limited screen time, Colum comes across as someone who understands that survival often requires sacrifice. Beneath the stern exterior, there’s compassion and exhaustion — a man trying to do right by everyone and slowly losing himself in the process. Colum’s leadership motto might just be: “If everyone’s mad at me, I must be doing something right.”
6. Dougal MacKenzie
Portrayed By: Sam Retford
If bravery ever decided to grow a beard, it would look a lot like Dougal MacKenzie. Played by Sam Retford, he’s the kind of man who jumps headfirst into chaos and figures out the plan midair. Thinking things through isn’t really his style — he runs on instinct, temper, and a touch of charm. Dougal’s got that mix of pride and passion that makes you want to follow him… or maybe just duck for cover.
As War Chieftain, he’s pure force. Subtlety? That, unfortunately, is not in his vocabulary. He’s fiercely loyal to his clan, though. His devotion to Ellen Fraser burns throughout. Dougal doesn’t talk about feelings — he lives them, loudly. He’s passionate, impulsive, and occasionally impossible, but that’s exactly what makes him magnetic. You never have to guess what’s going on in that head of his — he’s already yelling it, sword in hand, and probably starting another fight he’ll somehow win.
5. Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser
Portrayed By: Rory Alexander
Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser — the Highlander who could break your heart without saying a word. Brian’s cousin and the ultimate soft soul in a hard world, Murtagh (played by Rory Alexander), is a man who loves deeply and quietly. The moment he sees Ellen, he’s gone — completely smitten. The problem? She is already in love with Brian. That truth hits him like a blade to the chest.
Still, Murtagh’s story is more than unrequited love. It’s about loyalty tested by heartbreak and family ties stretched thin. Despite his pain, he doesn’t turn bitter. Instead, he stands by Brian, showing a quiet nobility that makes him even more endearing. There’s also an intriguing spark between him and Jocasta — Ellen’s sister — who seems drawn to his rugged charm. Their Beltane encounter hints at an emotional thread that eventually reappears in the colonies of the main show. Murtagh is proof that love stories don’t always end with a wedding.
4. Julia Moriston
Portrayed By: Hermione Corfield
Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) is one of the most powerful women in Blood of My Blood. She is clever and utterly devoted to her family. These qualities make her instantly likable. She and Henry fell in love through letters exchanged during World War I. Their connection feels deep and genuine. When he returns home, their love quickly turns into marriage. Soon, they welcome baby Claire into the world.
But life has other plans. When Julia’s thrown through the stones and ends up in Lord Lovat’s brutal world, everything changes. She is suddenly cut off from her husband and baby. She is forced to survive in a time that doesn’t belong to her. Yet she doesn’t crumble. Julia adapts, manipulates, and fights.
What makes her special is her courage to keep going. She is soft, but she is never fragile. Even when trapped in danger, she finds a way to smile, to outthink, to endure. Julia’s the kind of woman who could land in any century and still make it work — probably while politely asking where the nearest kettle is.
3. Brian Fraser
Portrayed By: Jamie Roy
Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) is the beating heart of Blood of My Blood. A man born on the wrong side of legitimacy — as Lord Lovat’s bastard son — he lives with quiet humility and deep moral strength. His romance with Ellen MacKenzie is as doomed as it is beautiful, given the bitter rivalry between their clans. But when Brian meets Ellen, destiny doesn’t care about bloodlines.
At first, Brian tries to resist his feelings, convinced that Ellen deserves a man with status and wealth. But love has its own plans. A gentle push from Julia gives him the courage to dream of a life with Ellen. His relationship with his father, Lord Lovat, is like a black mark. This man reminds him of the cruelty he had to endure.
Brian treats the women around him with respect and affection, unlike his father. He is one of the most honorable men in the series. His story is both very tender and tragic. Brian’s charm could melt ice — if only his family politics didn’t freeze everything first.
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2. Henry Beauchamp
Portrayed By: Jeremy Irvine
Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine) might have survived the battlefield, but he hasn’t escaped the war inside his head. Haunted by what he witnessed during World War I, Henry is a man held together by his love for Julia — her letters were his lifeline through the chaos. When they marry, she becomes his anchor. She is there for him through his nightmares and panic attacks.
After being flung through time, Henry finds himself in an unfamiliar century. He is separated from Julia and their child. What’s fascinating is how seamlessly he adjusts. His soldier’s instinct kicks in — he learns, adapts, and even starts representing Clan Grant with calm diplomacy. His friendship with Ned Gowan adds warmth to his story. The duo shows how much Henry values loyalty and trust.
Beneath his composure lies a broken man. A man who is still yearning for home. His storyline captures what Outlander does best. It shows the ache of love stretched across time and through so much trauma. Henry is one of the show’s emotional anchors.
1. Ellen MacKenzie
Portrayed By: Harriet Slater
Ellen MacKenzie (played by Harriet Slater) isn’t just the heroine of Blood of My Blood — she’s its soul. Intelligent, brave, and naturally authoritative, Ellen is everything a future laird should be… except she’s a woman living in a time when that dream isn’t possible. Her father, Red Jacob, always believed in her leadership, but the world wasn’t ready to follow a woman’s command. That does not stop Ellen from acting like the leader she was born to be. She advises her brothers. She mediates conflicts. She holds the family together with sheer willpower.
Her love for Brian Fraser is both her rebellion and her salvation. Her engagement to Malcolm Grant had been announced. But Ellen could not ignore what her heart wanted. She tried to balance duty to her clan with her longing for freedom and for Brian.
Ellen’s strength did not come from defiance alone. It was her compassion, her empathy, and her refusal to let the world harden her that made her the best. She chose love over fear every time. If Ellen were born a man, Scotland would already have a new king.
The show’s sitting pretty with a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. So yeah, it’s safe to say people are loving it. But the real question is, who’s stolen your heart? Tell us which character you can’t get enough of in the comments.
You can now stream the show Outlander: Blood of My Blood on STARZ.
