There are a lot of comments about Outlander: Blood of My Blood, especially now that the casting is out. Not only will we get the story of Brian and Ellen Fraser, but we’ll also get a story about Claire’s parents.
The latter is a shock to a lot of fans. Diana Gabaldon has consistently said that Claire’s parents don’t interest her and she won’t write about them. So, how are they included in the TV series? Well, Matt B. Roberts is the one crafting their story.
Of course, that’s led to a few fans out there stating that Claire’s parents’ story won’t be canon. And that’s true for the book universe. It’s not true for the show universe.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood is part of the Outlander TV universe
Fans who enjoy both the books and the show have said for a long time that it’s important to keep the two separate. And it is. There are things that happen in the books that haven’t been brought into the series—some of those moments aren’t a problem, but there are some that would have been wonderful to keep in.
Then there are moments in the show that aren’t in the books at all. Book-first and book-purist fans have their opinions on that. Personally, I like some of the additions by the show, and yes, that includes the ether storyline. Don’t come at me and say Claire is “stronger than that.” I’ve shared before why I get angry at that point of view. There’s not much I hate, but that comment is one of them.
But, I digress.
The point is there are moments in the show that have become canon for the show but not for the books. There are moments in the books that are canon for them but not for the show. The same applies to Outlander: Blood of My Blood.
No, the story of Claire’s parents is not going to be canon for the book series. Even if Diana Gabaldon does end up deciding to write about them, she won’t need to follow the story that the show creates. However, the series is an official part of the whole Outlander universe on STARZ. It is going to be canon to the TV universe, whether you like it or not.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood is coming to STARZ.