The highly anticipated first season finale of Outlander: Blood of My Blood delivered a visceral punch with the shocking, last-minute death of Malcolm Grant, a pivotal moment that redefined the star-crossed romance of Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie and set a dramatically high bar for future seasons.
The season 1 finale of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, titled “Something Borrowed,” concluded with a series of dramatic turns, none more impactful than the sudden death of Malcolm Grant, the man betrothed to Ellen MacKenzie. In a twist that surprised even the cast, Malcolm met his end at the hands of Brian Fraser, Ellen’s true love, during a desperate escape from Castle Leoch. This pivotal event, which profoundly altered the trajectory of the central romance, was not always part of the plan.
Actor Jamie Roy, who portrays Brian Fraser, recounted the unexpected revelation to Entertainment Weekly. He shared that producer Michael Wilson called him late one night to inform him: “You are going to kill Malcolm Grant.” Roy’s reaction was a resounding “Woah,” indicating the surprise. This plot twist came so late in production that it wasn’t even included in the initial script read-throughs, as confirmed by Harriet Slater, who plays Ellen. She explained, “We’d already done the read-through and that death wasn’t in the read-through. Then, there was a rewrite and suddenly Malcolm died. It was a huge shock to everyone, especially coming from Brian, who’s the most gentle, loving guy,” as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
The Desperate Escape and Malcolm’s Tragic Demise
The context of Malcolm’s death is rooted in a deeply personal betrayal and a desperate bid for freedom. Ellen MacKenzie learned that her brother, Colum (Seamus McLean Ross), had broken his promise to her, attempting to have Brian killed despite Ellen agreeing to end her relationship with Brian to protect him. This betrayal freed Ellen from her own word, prompting her and Brian to devise a plan to elope.
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Jhon Lumsden as Malcolm Grant in ‘Outlander Blood of my Blood’
Their escape was interrupted by Malcolm Grant, fueled by fury and recently advised by his uncle that revenge was the best way to mend a broken heart. Malcolm attacked Brian with a dagger. Jamie Roy stressed that Brian acted in self-defense and gave Malcolm multiple chances to back down before fatally stabbing him, a detail reiterated by Harriet Slater in an interview with RadioTimes.com. “They didn’t want to kill him. Brian says a couple of times, ‘please don’t do this,’ because he knows how it ’s going to end,” Slater explained. “They give him opportunities to back down but he ’s hell bent on revenge instilled in him by his nasty uncle.” The tragic confrontation left Malcolm dead in the corridor as Brian and Ellen fled into the night.
Fan Reactions and the Weight of a ‘Good Guy’s’ Death
The decision to kill off Malcolm Grant is expected to be a polarizing one among fans. Jhon Lumsden‘s portrayal of Malcolm throughout the season painted him as a genuinely sweet and likeable character, making his violent end all the more jarring. Harriet Slater acknowledged this sentiment, noting, “He’s been so sweet the whole season. He’s such a nice guy. He’s lovely, but he’s not the one for her. I felt bad for him, until his uncle Malcolm makes him evil,” she told Cosmopolitan.
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Jamie Roy and Sadhbh Malin in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’
Jamie Roy believes the death will “split people. I think some people are gonna be team Brian and some team Malcolm. He didn’t deserve that, but we gave him the opportunity to back down,” as he explained to Cosmopolitan. This sentiment was echoed by Jeremy Irvine and Hermione Corfield, who play Henry and Julia in the 20th-century storyline, both expressing their sadness at Lumsden’s departure from the show, according to RadioTimes.com.
For Brian Fraser, taking a life—especially one not inherently evil—carries immense psychological weight. Roy discussed this with director Azhur Saleem, differentiating Malcolm’s death from the earlier assassins Brian killed. “With Malcolm, he’s not necessarily a bad guy. He had to do what he had to do, and that weighs really, really heavy on him. Hopefully he doesn’t turn into a bloodthirsty fiend after this,” Roy shared with Cosmopolitan.
The Rippling Consequences: Marriage, Pearls, and Rebellion
Malcolm’s death sends profound ripples through the narratives of both couples and the wider clan politics.
An Unintended Marriage
One immediate consequence of Brian and Ellen’s escape was the forced marriage of Dougal MacKenzie to Maura Grant, Malcolm’s sister. This arrangement was made to uphold Clan MacKenzie’s side of the bargain after Ellen’s elopement. Harriet Slater acknowledged the irony, calling Ellen “slightly hypocritical” given her role in her own sisters’ marriages. She noted that Ellen felt a “bit smug that [Dougal] now has to experience what she has been having to experience for months,” as detailed in Cosmopolitan.
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Sally Messham and Harriet Slater in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’
The Wedding Pearls
Among the items Ellen carries with her are her wedding pearls, objects of immense significance in the original Outlander series, passed down through generations to Jamie Fraser, then Claire, and finally Brianna. Slater described her anxiety during filming scenes with the pearls, aware of their future importance. Ironically, for Ellen, these pearls were “another gift amongst an array of gifts, which she wishes she didn’t have because she doesn’t want this wedding to go ahead,” as detailed by Entertainment Weekly. Their origin story is tinged with unwanted obligation, contrasting sharply with their later sentimental value.
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Harriet Slater (or is it?) in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’
A Fractured Family and New Enemies
Colum’s treachery and his refusal to confess his lies to Ellen create a permanent rift between the once-close siblings. Slater believes that while Ellen would have always left with Brian, Colum’s dishonesty made it easier for her to “shut that door forever,” as she told Entertainment Weekly.
The couple’s daring escape and Malcolm’s death also create new, formidable adversaries. With Brian having killed the new Laird of Clan Grant, the repercussions will be severe. Future challenges are hinted at, with Jamie Roy suggesting that Uncle Malcolm, who incited young Malcolm to revenge, will likely be a significant problem in season 2. Furthermore, Brian’s own father, Lord Lovat, is highlighted as an enduring antagonist, confirming that “we’re gonna have to deal with him for a while,” Roy added in Cosmopolitan.
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Jamie Roy and Rory Alexander in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’
The Fiery Crosses and a New Battle Ahead
After their escape, Brian and Ellen find temporary solace with Murtagh. Their fleeting moment of peace is shattered by the appearance of fiery crosses lighting up the hills. These traditional signals call all clansmen to arms, preparing for the looming Jacobite rebellion. Brian is compelled to answer, facing the grim choice of joining the war or being labeled a traitor. This twist, as Roy teased to Entertainment Weekly, is “definitely going to cause some rifts in several relationships.”
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Harriet Slater in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’
Despite the escalating dangers, Harriet Slater emphasized the strength of Brian and Ellen’s bond. “The way we see them at the end of season 1, they’re stronger than ever,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “They’ve overcome so much together, and they do love each other. As Ellen says, ‘I’m your wife and we are one.’ So, whatever struggles they face next, they’ll do it as a team.”
The 20th Century Cliffhanger: Henry and Julia at the Stones
Meanwhile, the 20th-century storyline of Henry and Julia Beauchamp also concluded on a tense cliffhanger. After Julia’s clever plan to make their escape appear as a kidnapping, she and Henry reunite with their baby, William, making their way to the magical stones. Their dilemma mirrors that of Roger and Brianna in the original series: the risk that their son might not be a time traveler. As they contemplate the danger, they are spotted by Arch Bug and his men. Julia urges Henry to pass through the stones first, knowing Clan Grant men will kill him if he stays. In a final moment, Henry takes her hand, and as they are about to touch the stones, the screen cuts to black, leaving their fate unknown.
The season 1 finale of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, with its shocking death and multiple cliffhangers, has set the stage for a dramatic and complex second season, promising more challenges and revelations for both pairs of star-crossed lovers. Fans can anticipate grappling with the repercussions of Malcolm’s death and the unfolding dangers of the Jacobite rebellion, all while wondering about the fate of Henry, Julia, and their son.
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