3 reasons Starz probably hasn’t order a Lord John Grey spin-off yet

3 reasons Starz probably hasn't order a Lord John Grey spin-off yet

As a seasoned gamer and avid fan of Outlander, I can’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment at the prospect of no Lord John Grey spin-off series in the near future. With the rich tapestry of stories that Diana Gabaldon has woven in her books, it seems almost criminal to overlook such a compelling character as Lord John Grey.


As a passionate Outlander fan, I can’t help but dream about a spin-off series led by the charismatic Lord John Grey. With such a rich tapestry of stories from Diana Gabaldon’s books, it seems like a natural fit. However, despite my fervent wishes and the abundant source material, Starz and Matt B. Roberts have given no hints yet that they are planning on creating one.

What makes you think otherwise? I’ve got a few ideas as to why it might not occur right away or even at all, for now.

The Lord John Grey books are set within the Outlander timeline

The first problem is the timing of the books. They are all set during the timeline of Outlander, and this could cause some problems for scheduling conflicts.

As an avid fan, I find myself pondering over the casting dilemma. David Berry, undeniably, gives off a vampiric vibe with his timeless appearance. Yet, the question arises: Could he convincingly portray a younger version of his character? This might necessitate a recast, which wouldn’t sit well with us fans. It’s a tricky situation!

Besides this, it seems they might require a slightly younger version of Jamie Fraser, as portrayed by Sam Heughan in Outlander. Given his performance, I believe he could convincingly play the younger Jamie from Helwater, yet I wonder if Starz may have some concerns regarding this.

There isn’t the budget for a Lord John Grey series

It really does come down to budget for TV shows. If there isn’t a budget available, a show won’t be greenlit. We know that the budget for a show like Outlander has to be huge. Period dramas are costly.

It’s possible that the funding for this show hasn’t been secured yet. However, it might become available when Outlander concludes its run.

As a gamer, I get it that Starz might not be willing to invest the budget if they don’t foresee enough interest in Lord John Grey’s story. Not every gamer is intrigued by his tale. Some of us are craving a Frank series, others want more insights about Master Raymond, and there are numerous other characters with their own compelling stories waiting to be explored.

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but speculate that Starz might be keen on observing the reception of the prequel series initially. If it succeeds in captivating audiences, it could pave the way for more expansions within the Outlander universe.

Nobody has the time for it just yet

Matt B. Roberts is currently engaged in both “Outlander: Blood of My Blood” and the final season of “Outlander”. Managing multiple productions involves a substantial amount of effort, so it makes sense to utilize the team members who are already familiar with the “Outlander” universe as much as feasible. It’s more efficient to keep those who already know the ropes on board.

As a long-time fan of historical fiction and adaptations, I can certainly understand why fans are eagerly anticipating a Lord John Grey series. However, from my perspective as someone who has worked in production for over a decade, I know firsthand how many moving parts there are to bring a high-quality series to the small screen.

As a devoted fan, I’m not giving up hope! For the time being, it seems like the spotlight is on the other two shows, and instead of assembling a new creative team right away, they might be waiting for Outlander to conclude before considering another spin-off series.

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2024-08-19 13:37