Why Murtagh Is Such a Different Character in ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’

We’ve returned to the Outlander universe once more with the STARZ prequel series, Outlander: Blood of My Blood. The historical romance drama series revolves around Claire Beauchamp (Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser’s (Sam Heughan) parents, primarily focusing on the love story between Jamie’s parents, Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) and Ellen Mackenzie (Harriet Slater). Claire’s parents, Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine), are also at the center of the story as the series delves into their respective lives and the role they play in Brian and Ellen’s love story.

The series weaves together narratives set in World War I and 18th-century Scotland, which has already introduced, or at least reintroduced, a few fan-favorite characters, particularly a younger version of Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser. Originally portrayed by Duncan Lacroix in the preceding series, the character is now played by Rory Alexander. This new iteration of the character took fans by surprise, but the direction he has taken is completely intentional.

In an interview with ScreenRant, showrunner Matthew B. Roberts and executive producer Maril Davis explained their thought process behind their decision to make some changes to this beloved character. Both Roberts and Davis mentioned that in this timeline, with a younger version of the character, Murtagh hasn’t experienced all life has to offer, so this idea was a significant factor they felt they needed to include in this particular narrative. However, the essence of the character is still there; viewers have to make a small adjustment to meet Murtagh where he is.

What Did Matthew B. Roberts and Maril Davis Say About the Changes They Made to Murtagh?

During their ScreenRant interview, Roberts and Davis both provided a statement regarding the modifications they made to Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser’s character and how Rory Alexander brings a different energy to the fan-favorite character in Blood of My Blood. Davis said the following:

“I mean, for me, it was Murtagh, only because, I don’t know why, I went into this thinking, ‘Oh, we’re casting grizzled, curmudgeony Duncan Lacroix in a younger version.’ And it wasn’t until Matt had a conversation about when we were talking about the character, and it suddenly became clear that this is the Murtagh before he’s had his heart broken. This is the hopeful wingman, and Rory has just stepped into this role, and he’s so charming. Murtagh is so likable, and Murtagh was always likable…”

To which Roberts added:

“And I think people, you get locked into that Murtaugh always loved Ellen, and in the books, he dies so early on. He dies really at the beginning of book 3, and book 2 takes place in so many different places that you don’t spend a lot of time with him. So, in that, there’s not a ton of Murtagh’s story. All we know is that he loved Ellen, and for me, looking back on it is maybe that love for Ellen actually flowed more through Brian. And I mean that in a very brotherly-cousin way, that he was really dedicated to that friendship so much that it kind of spilled over. But I think he obviously had eyes for her in the beginning.”

What Does This Mean for the Character in ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’?

Starz

The prequel Outlander series, like other prequel projects, takes advantage of the opportunity to delve into different facets of the character viewers came to know and love from the original series and the novel series written by Diana Gabaldon, which it’s based on. Every character has an origin story, and Murtagh is no different, so while his initial appearance may have perplexed audiences, he’s still Murtagh, but they’re just seeing a different side to him. He’s not quite the jaded character yet because, as mentioned by Roberts and Davis, he still sees the world through rose-colored glasses and still romanticizes life.

However, these changes don’t negate those inherent qualities of Duncan Lacroix’s version of Murtagh. Alexander’s version of the character is still loyal and endearing, which are foundational traits in the character. Outlander is similar to other book-to-screen adaptations in that it made the necessary changes in its adaptation to ensure the story would still resonate with viewers, which Roberts mentioned in the same interview with ScreenRant. Unlike the novel series, Murtagh lives longer in the original show, which allows the writers and actors to expand on the character, a feature the original show has also explored, and now the prequel is doing.

How Should Audiences Feel About These Significant Changes to Murtagh?

Jamie Roy and Harriet Slater in Outlander Blood of My Blood (2025)

Everyone has a right to their feelings and opinions; however, Roberts and Davis’ decision to present Murtagh through a more optimistic lens should be applauded because they’ve done it right. They’ve successfully explored the multifaceted nature of this character without sacrificing his integrity and the fundamental characteristics that fans fell in love with. With any prequel or sequel, there’s always a risk of losing sight of the overall story or betraying the characters that are being reintroduced in a different setting. Outlander fans can breathe a sigh of relief that their fan-favorite character was one of the lucky ones who didn’t undergo a character assassination.

As established in the original show, Murtagh was deeply in love with Ellen, but she ultimately married Brian, breaking Murtagh’s heart in the process. Seeing his arc unfold in Outlander: Blood of My Blood should make fans excited and feel a sense of fulfillment for his story overall. As the season progresses, viewers can expect to see his relationship with Brian and how his love for Ellen will affect that, so they should prepare to experience the unraveling of Murtagh’s heartbreak. Outlander: Blood of My Blood is releasing weekly on Starz.