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Outlander: Blood of My Blood quickly introduces a completely new Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser that no fan has ever seen! Murtagh's personality, demeanor, and relationships in the prequel are a dramatic shift from the stoic, war-hardened soldier of Outlander to someone full of young charm, confidence, and emotional vulnerability.
This transition isn't just cosmetic; it's a deliberate creative choice by the show's producers to explore who Murtagh was before the loss and tragedy that defined him later in life. They're Stoic Guardians, stoic and resilient, shaped by decades of loyalty and sorrow in Outlander. They're Wide-Eyed Idealists in Outlander: Blood of My Blood. Here, Murtagh appears wide-eyed, hopeful, and committed to his own vision of the future.
According to ScreenRant, Matthew B. Roberts, the showrunner, states that,
"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."
He added,
"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."
Executive producer Maril Davis also comments that Rory Alexander's acting provides a glimpse of light before the pain, making it all the more tragic for him to take on the older Murtagh character.
A solid confidence of Murtagh Fitzgibbons in Outlander: Blood of My Blood
The most obvious change is Murtagh's openness around others. He talks with Ellen MacKenzie not as a proper chaperone but as a passionate young man whose feelings are revealed and unguarded. Even his playful banter with Jocasta is lively, though his love for Ellen never fades. This confident demeanor is starkly contrasted with the older Murtagh, whose quiet affection for Ellen is subtly displayed and tinged with sadness.
Expressive and energetic
Even his physicality shifts gears. In early seasons, Murtagh strides purposefully, as if issuing a warning; in Outlander: Blood of My Blood, he moves with liveliness, laughing freely, exchanging teasing banter, and making broad social gestures. His scenes are filled with energy, from tense clan moments to intimate personal times. This performance not only adds depth to the character but also rethinks his later reserve, clearly showing that his stoicism is learned, not innate.
Contituity ties keep it real in Outlander: Blood of My Blood
Producers have also linked this new character depiction with continuity nods. The boar tusk symbol, for example, connects the younger Murtagh to an important heirloom from the original timeline. Outlander fans familiar with the story behind the tusk bracelet will immediately recognize it as a bridge between the hotheaded young man from the prequel and the protective guardian of Outlander. These intentional nods create a transition that feels natural and not like a remake.
Why change the paysoff in Outlander: Blood of My Blood
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By reimagining Murtagh in Outlander: Blood of My Blood, the show isn't just spinning a new tale; it adds emotional depth to an existing one. Viewing him as a naive, good-hearted young man makes what he later does more meaningful. It's a risk that pays off in richness, showing that even the toughest characters were once driven by hope, optimism, and pure love.
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