When the Outlander prequel Blood of My Blood wrapped its first season, fans were stunned — and apparently, so was Outlander mastermind Diana Gabaldon herself.

In a new interview, the author revealed that one of the most shocking moments in the Blood of My Blood finale — the death of Malcolm — isn’t part of her version of events at all.

“That’s not what happens to Malcolm in the book,” Gabaldon told reporter. “I don’t kill him at all. Something else may happen. But no, that’s not what happens.”

Wait — what?

That means the prequel’s dramatic ending, which saw Brian Fraser (Jamie’s father) kill Malcolm in self-defense, directly contradicts Gabaldon’s own plans for the story. And though she admits she didn’t mind the twist too much, her tone suggested she definitely raised an eyebrow.

The moment instantly sent shockwaves through the Outlander fandom. On social media, book purists were quick to note that Gabaldon’s version of events has yet to be written — and that the show may have just wandered off the map completely.

“Diana literally said Malcolm doesn’t die! What are they doing over there?” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Another added: “I love the drama, but if they’re killing off characters Diana keeps alive… what else are they changing?”

This isn’t the first time the show and its creator have drifted apart. Gabaldon has always maintained that Blood of My Blood is a “dramatic interpretation,” not a literal adaptation of her prequel — especially since the books it’s based on don’t actually exist yet.

Still, she’s involved behind the scenes. Gabaldon co-wrote the finale’s script and even persuaded the writers to cut one particular scene she felt went too far. (“Are you sure you want her to do this?” she reportedly told the team about a controversial brothel subplot — and they listened.)

So when she publicly clarifies that she didn’t kill Malcolm in her planned version, it’s a gentle but unmistakable nudge: she’s letting fans know what’s canon… and what’s TV.

Gabaldon also teased that Season 2 will open with a “heart-wrenching” storyline — likely tied to Henry’s fate at the stones. The author wouldn’t elaborate, but her choice of words suggests tragedy.

Meanwhile, her remark about Malcolm could hint that his death won’t stay permanent — or that the prequel’s writers may face tough choices as the show continues to diverge from her vision.

As Gabaldon herself put it, “I consider this entertainment rather than a transmutation of life… The novels feel very real to me. The people are real, which they’re not in terms of the show.”

Translation? Blood of My Blood might just be the most unpredictable chapter of the Outlander saga yet — and not even the woman who created it knows exactly where it’s headed.