Stepping behind the formidable stone walls of Scotland’s historic Blackness Castle—the 15th-century fortress famously known as “the ship that never sailed” and the original stand-in for the dreaded Fort William—feels like walking directly into the pages of television history. As coastal winds swept across the ramparts, production was deep underway on Outlander: Blood of My Blood, capturing intense period drama that continues to expand the beloved franchise’s intricate universe.
While video monitors tracked sweeping sequences and gritty escape plots involving younger iterations of iconic characters, the production’s most explosive secret walked right up the castle stairs in full 18th-century British Army attire: the introduction of a teenage Jonathan “Black Jack” Randall.
For anyone who followed the original Outlander series, the name Black Jack Randall carries an unmatched psychological weight. Played unforgettably by Tobias Menzies across the early seasons, the sadistic redcoat captain cemented his legacy as the franchise’s ultimate villain through unimaginable cruelty inflicted upon Jamie Fraser and his family. Seeing the character introduced as a teenager in the prequel series adds a chilling layer of dramatic irony to the unfolding narrative.
Set during a high-stakes sequence in Episode 6, the scene features a battered group—including Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) and a rebellious young Dougal MacKenzie (Sam Retford)—executing a daring prison escape from within the fortress walls. Upon encountering a young Randall on patrol, tensions flare as the characters weigh eliminating the threat on the spot. Ultimately, it is Brian Fraser who intervenes, sparing the youth with the fateful words, “He’s only a boy.”
Played by young actor Finlay Glasgow, the teenage Randall injects a heartbreaking sense of tragedy into the storyline. Knowing what this young soldier eventually grows up to inflict upon Brian’s son, Jamie, turns a moment of noble mercy into one of the most haunting dramatic setups in the entire Outlander chronology.
Yet, despite the heavy emotional weight of the scripts, the atmosphere between takes offered a surprisingly warm contrast. Amidst fake blood, muddy period costumes, and stone corridors, the cast and crew paused filming to celebrate a team member’s birthday with cake and laughter—highlighting the tight-knit camaraderie driving the prequel’s ambitious second season.
Source: Compiled from various sources
