Could Outlander: Blood of My Blood be considered fanfiction?

Casting for Outlander: Blood of My Blood has been announced. It made it clear that this prequel isn’t just about Jamie’s parents. We’ll also get to meet Claire’s parents.

Fans have long wondered about Claire’s parents, especially knowing that at least one of them time-traveled. However, Diana Gabaldon has said that she has no interest in writing about them. Well, it looks like the show is offering something for the fans.

Gabaldon shared on various social media posts after the casting announcement that Matt B. Roberts is telling the story of Claire’s parents. This is a show invention and not something that will come up in the books. Does this make it fanfiction?

Outlander: Blood of My Blood could technically be considered fanfiction, but it really isn’t

When you look at the actual term “fanfiction” it means that it is fiction written by a fan about a particular show, movie, or book. There is plenty of Outlander fanfiction out there for people to read.

Roberts is technically a fan of the world of Outlander. What he’s creating could technically be considered fanfiction, but it’s not. We have to remember that the books have been licensed. This allows the world of Outlander to expand.

Roberts is expanding on the show. While Gabaldon is working on a prequel book about Jamie’s parents, that isn’t finished yet. It’s only really just been started. The show can incorporate some ideas, but it’s a development from the TV series rather than the books, at this point. It’s a spin-off from the series.

While the story in Outlander: Blood of My Blood is going to have new material, it’s based on what we already know in the show. It’s officially licensed and developed by a creative team. Some of the writers may not have even read the books because they don’t need to when it comes to writing a series.

If you don’t want to watch it, that’s up to you. Let’s remain respectful toward those who are excited about the series, and vice versa.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood will come to STARZ.