The Outlander prequel series has officially premiered on Stan and it's everything we dreamed it would be.

When I first sat down to watch Outlander, I had no real idea of what to expect.

It was raining. I had just bought a coffee and a muffin from my favourite café. And I needed something that would match my whimsical winter mood. I'd heard all the Outlander fanfare and, well, I had seen Sam Heughan. That was enough for me!

In my first sitting, I binge-watched five episodes on Stan and I've been a fan ever since. Fast-forward 10 years and the Outlander series has spanned seven seasons, with an eighth still to come in 2026. 

Now, the team behind our favourite historical romance have brought us an enchanting and captivating prequel that serves to delight longtime fans while also welcoming a whole new audience to this romantic world.

Based on the books by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander introduced us to the love story of Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) and Claire Fraser (Caitríona Balfe) — and the many beloved characters and timelines they crossed as they travelled between centuries and continents. 

Airing exclusively on Stan, Outlander: Blood Of My Blood is now charting an epic dual romance across time — from the brutal realities of World War 1 to the majestic, untamed Highlands of 18th century Scotland — as it follows the ancestors of Outlander's major characters. 

Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) are the parents of our highland hero, Jamie, first crossing paths in 18th century Scotland. Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine) are Claire's parents, living in the 1920s in the wake of the war.

And if you're a fan of the original series, you'll be spooked by how incredibly spot-on the casting choices are. This show has made me ponder the realities of time travel, because these actors genuinely look like the real-life parents who would create our beloved Jamie and Claire.

Hermione Corfield and Jeremy Irvine play Claire's parents in the Outlander prequel. Image: Stan.

Because Outlander: Blood of My Blood is a prequel, it's opened the door to a whole new world — where new fans can experience the Outlander universe without really knowing any of the backstory.

Introducing a new generation of cast, characters, and stories, it's actually perfect for first-time viewers, who can experience the magic and sweeping romances of this world for the very first time. And if they love it? Good news! They can carry on through to the first seven seasons of Outlander, while waiting for the eighth and final instalment coming to Stan in 2026.

While the prequel can be watched with no prior knowledge, there are, of course, plenty of hidden details and sweet nods to the original woven throughout the rich storyline. The series shines new light on the legendary love of Claire and Jamie Fraser by unveiling the families and legacies that shaped them.

So, what do you need to know?

In 18th century Scotland, set against a backdrop of striking scenery featuring the classic rolling green hills and decadent stone castles, we meet two star-crossed lovers.

Ellen MacKenzie is the eldest, unmarried daughter of a Scottish Laird — the leader of Clan MacKenzie. Upon his death, her two brothers, Colum (Séamus McLean Ross) and Dougal (Sam Retford), feud over who will take his place.

All the while, it becomes abundantly clear that the promise Ellen's dad made — that she would never need to marry for the sake of the clan — has died with him. Suddenly her home at Castle Leoch feels more like a prison.

Elsewhere, Brian Fraser lives a simpler life as the bastard son of Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat (Tony Curran) of Castle Leathers. Lovat lost his titles and most of his land, and directly places blame on the MacKenzies — so it should come as no surprise that the families hate one another.

Brian's cousin, Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser (Rory Alexander), convinces Lord Lovat to send the two boys to the MacKenzie Gathering following the funeral to gain intel — because he himself has a crush on Ellen.

But what are Ellen and Brian to do when they cross paths, finding instant connection and sudden hope for happiness? Their impossible, star-crossed romantic pursuits bring heart and searing chemistry to the new series.

Ellen and Brian's love story is one for the ages. Image: Stan.

Back in the other timeline, Julia and Henry Beauchamp are enjoying a romantic trip to Scotland — leaving their daughter, Claire, behind in England for the journey. One quick trip before Julia's second pregnancy begins to show, and they start preparing for a larger family.

When a car accident sees their vehicle flipped into the roadside river, Julia and Henry narrowly escape. Without transportation, they find themselves wandering the countryside when they pass by the iconic, enchanted stones of Craigh na Dun.

If you've seen Outlander, you might have a sinking feeling of what's to come next. But if you haven't, I'll let you experience that one for yourself.

Watch: The cast of Outlander chat to Mamamia about the new series. Article continues below.

And the great news, is that Outlander: Blood Of My Blood has already been greenlit for a second season. So you know the story is going to captivate viewers for years to come!

With rich storytelling, a complex cast of characters, and more striking scenery, this prequel has captured the magic of the original series perfectly. It's the ultimate comfort show to tune in to each week — as new episodes drop on Stan every Saturday.

Outlander: Blood Of My Blood is now streaming on Stan.

Feature Image: Stan.