Outlander is nearing its end, but season 7 proved that a highly requested spinoff series could be the next best step for the franchise. Of course, Starz already has an Outlander spinoff in the works. The new Outlander spinoff series, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, will follow Jamie and Claire’s parents through their respective romances, which is an exciting concept. Still, this isn’t the spinoff that audiences have been asking for. Instead, a series based on author Diana Gabaldon’s Lord John book series has been a prominent request, but it seems Starz doesn’t see this idea as lucrative.
Gabaldon has published several Lord John novels and novellas, which detail this Outlander character’s various adventures from childhood to adulthood. They are significantly different in tone from the central series, but they provide readers a chance to get to know this character further. So far, the Outlander TV show has only brushed the surface of Lord John’s story, but season 7 began to dive a little deeper, ultimately proving that this character could easily lead his own spinoff series.
Outlander Season 7 Proved Lord John Makes An Excellent Hero
He’s Different From Jamie & Claire, But He Has What It Takes
Lord John is very different from Jamie in just about every way. He is a British loyalist and values propriety far more than brute strength. However, Outlander season 7 proved that Lord John is a warrior in his own right. When the rebel soldiers captured him, he still demanded that he be shown the honor his position deserves. Still, when push came to shove, Lord John wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty and fight. He’s a different sort of hero than Jamie, but still a hero.
Between Lord John’s chivalrous efforts to help Claire, his daring escape from the Continental Army, and his moment of action while saving William, Outlander proved that Lord John has what it takes to be the hero of his own story. What’s more, teases about Lord John’s background, such as the introduction of his brother Hal, his history with Percy Beauchamp, and his speech about the challenges of being forbidden to love who he chooses, demonstrates that there is an expansive story to explore here. Hopefully, Outlander season 7 will have proven that a Lord John spinoff would be a great move.
A Lord John Grey Spinoff Is The Perfect Next Step For The Outlander Franchise
Diana Gabaldon Provided the Perfect Place To Start
Outlander: Blood of My Blood is an excellent continuation of the franchise. However, it can certainly be hoped that this will not be the end. Claire and Jamie’s parents are worth exploring, but Outlander has established several characters that could be taken further. Lord John is only one of them, but it makes sense that a spinoff telling his story would be next since author Gabaldon has already provided the source material.
Blood of My Blood has the foundation of Gabaldon’s works to build from, but the author hasn’t written full novels on Jamie and Claire’s parents. Lord John, on the other hand, has an expansive series written in his honor. Starz would have the option of directly adapting the novellas or forging its own path with new stories (with Gabaldon’s cooperation, of course). What’s more, a Lord John series would be an exciting change of pace for the franchise since his story wouldn’t strictly be romance or fantasy. Of course, this could also be a bit of a problem.
There’s Still 1 Problem With A Lord John Grey Spinoff
Lord John Is Missing The Magic
Outlander is a romantacy series, so it balances the tropes of romance with the magic of fantasy. While there are some supernatural elements in the Lord John book series that allude to the kind of magic in Claire’s story, this isn’t a primary feature. In this way, a Lord John spinoff would essentially fall into a different genre. Perhaps this is why Starz has been hesitant to adapt Gabaldon’s spinoff books. Outlander’s magical qualities are part of what has made it so successful. However, this alone isn’t enough of a reason for a Lord John adaptation to be passed over.
Lord John Grey isn’t a time-traveling healer or a Scottish warrior, but his story still has value within the world of Outlander.
One of the benefits of spinoffs is a chance to explore a world from a different angle. Lord John Grey isn’t a time-traveling healer or a Scottish warrior, but his story still has value within the world of Outlander. The overarching franchise emphasizes the importance of destiny and the way certain characters are brought together for specific reasons. It’s a unique type of magic, but powerful all the same. Jamie and Claire wouldn’t be alive in Outlander if they hadn’t met Lord John. In this way, a Lord John spinoff would fit right in. His story is all part of Claire and Jamie’s destiny.