An Outlander star has explained why one spinoff series about a fan-favorite character was nixed by Starz, despite a plan being made for its production. The historical fantasy series features an array of characters, chief among them Claire (Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan). Their love story directly correlates with the upcoming spinoff Outlander: Blood of My Blood, which will tell the story of Jamie’s parents in 18th century Scotland and Claire’s parents in England during World War I. However, a spinoff for another character, David Berry’s Lord John Grey, was also considered, but ultimately never happened.
Speaking with Deadline, Berry addressed how a Lord John Grey spinoff of Outlander was in the works, based on series author Diana Gabaldon’s Lord John series. The actor explained how a series had been in development during season 4 of the main show, with a write attached. However, it wasn’t picked up by Starz despite Berry signing a contract to do the series and interest from executive producers Matt B. Roberts and Maril Davis. Check out what Berry had to say below:
I haven’t spoken about this. But I think that since the series is over, I feel a bit more comfortable talking about it. There was a time in Season 4 when we were going to shoot our Lord John series; it had been written— well, there was a writer attached and I’d signed a contract to do a series. It went down to the wire of whether or not it would get approved by the network, but ultimately, at the time, it was decided that that wasn’t the right fit, or wasn’t the right thing for them. I was prepared to do it, and I’m still prepared to do it.
Matt [B. Roberts] and Maril [Davis], executive producers on Outlander, have also expressed a lot of interest in doing it. So I guess it really depends on finding a network for it and audience interest in moving forward and doing a spin-off. But definitely, it was something that was on the cards at one point. The fact that it didn’t go ahead was very disappointing at the time. But whether or not it will go ahead again, that’s really in the hands of the audiences, and whether or not there is still an interest in seeing more from this character,
What Berry’s Statement Says About Outlander’s Lord John Grey Spinoff
The Show Almost Expanded Its Universe Earlier
John Grey was introduced in season 2 of the main series, originally a sixteen-year-old English soldier portrayed by Oscar Kennedy who Jamie saves. Berry began his portrayal in season 3, where he becomes governor of Ardsmuir Prison and befriends Jamie, their relationship tenuous after the Lord falls in love with him. In the books, John has a more complex adventure, which is told through three novels and six novellas of his very own. However, with Outlander season 8 soon marking the end of the series, it appears he won’t be getting those adventures adapted to screen.
Berry’s statement indicates how close the franchise was to expanding into spinoffs earlier, but how the plans ultimately fell through because Starz didn’t pick it up. Even so, John has had a major part to play in the story ever since, having appeared at least once in every season since his debut. While he isn’t always front-and-center with the cast of Outlander, he remains a familiar face and important part of the story, a role that could have grown even larger had his series happened.
Our Take On Lord John Grey’s Outlander Spinoff Never Happening
It Would’ve Been A Perfect Opportunity For The Franchise
Since Gabaldon’s first Lord John books were written before Outlander, the series could have been presented to ensure those not familiar with the original wouldn’t be lost. Additionally, its events wouldn’t be required to tie into the main storyline. This could have branched out the franchise in a unique way, offering standalone adventures for a familiar face. However, Starz’s decision ultimately means this isn’t going to happen, made even less likely now that the original series is coming to an end.