Stan has staged a nationwide series of sold-out fan screenings for Outlander: Blood of my Blood, ahead of the prequel’s premiere on August 9. The Sydney launch event on August 7 was the first in a four-state rollout, with celebrations also taking place in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
The evening opened with a 25-strong bagpipe procession in full Scottish dress, marching from Taylor Square to the Historic Cell Block Theatre in Darlinghurst. The performance set the tone for the night, which featured a replica of the Craigh na Dun standing stones and a perfume-making station inspired by the Scottish Highlands.
The bagpipe procession
Attendees were joined by David Berry (Lord John Grey in Outlander), along with Jayne Azzopardi, Safia Arain (Stan Original Bump), content creators Starr McGowan, Justin Hill, Suzan Mutesi, and Stan ambassadors Matty J, Tanya Hennessy, and Mitch Churi. Berry took part in an on-stage Q&A with Churi before the screening of episode one and a preview of episode two, introduced via a special video message from cast members Harriet Slater and Jamie Roy.
“I’m excited for all the cast of Blood of my Blood to be joining the Outlander clan,” Berry told fans. “The fandom is integral to the success of this show and now I’m a fan, too, because I will be watching this.”
The Melbourne event was held the same night, with Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth screenings scheduled for August 8. Each location features bagpipe performances and themed photo opportunities for attendees.
Outlander: Blood of my Blood stars Hermione Corfield as Julia Moriston, Jeremy Irvine as Henry Beauchamp, Harriet Slater as Ellen MacKenzie, Jamie Roy as Brian Fraser, Tony Curran as Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, Séamus McLean Ross as Colum MacKenzie, Sam Retford as Dougal MacKenzie, Rory Alexander as Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, and Conor MacNeill as Ned Gowan.
The stand-alone prequel introduces new characters and storylines, while providing origin stories for familiar figures from early seasons of Outlander. The series is produced and distributed by Sony Pictures Television, with Matthew B. Roberts serving as showrunner and executive producer alongside Ronald D. Moore, Maril Davis, and Jim Kohlberg.
The Stan exclusive series premieres August 9, with new episodes every Saturday.
Top image: David Berry & Mitch Churi