Outlander has slowly begun to diverge from the original storyline ever since Murtaugh Fraser’s (played by Duncan Lacroix) unexpected return in season four, episode five.
However, showrunners didn’t stop there as fans will remember the controversial decision showrunners made that caused the Frasers to miss their own grandson’s birth.
Viewers were disappointed to see Brianna’s (Sophie Skelton) parents Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire Fraser (Catorina Balfe) miss the arrival of their grandson Jeremiah, and it seems as though they weren’t the only ones as executive creator Matthew B. Roberts spoke out about the scene.
The producer spoke out about the decision making process ahead of season five, noting that most decisions are made after a rigorous negotiation process.
The executive producer explained there was a struggle due to the “power structure” in the decision making process.
In conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Matthew said: “Once again, in the power structure, the decision was made not to show that.
“There is always debate in the room. You can debate 100 times about something, and somebody ultimately makes a decision.
“I never debate whether it’s a right decision or a wrong decision, or whether it’s good or bad.
“It’s just the decision, and then you fall in line. You turn and make the best show you can.”
However, Brianna actress Sophie Skelton has other ideas about why the scene was so different to the book.
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Speaking to publication, Sophie shared her own theory on why the scene played out so differently.
She began: “It kind of resonates today with a lot of modern women. There are single moms, or maybe their parents aren’t around because they passed away.
“For someone of Bree’s age, I think it shows such strength of her character that she’s sort of surrounded by, not strangers, but people she doesn’t really know.
“She doesn’t really know Jocasta [Maria Doyle Kennedy] that well, and Lizzie is relatively new. Phaedra’s new. For Bree to do that alone is, I think, pretty great.”
However, the actress understands why fans may be disappointed that the show altered the key moment.
Sophie said: “I know. I can completely see why.
“Obviously from the book, that is a beautiful scene, and I think it would have been a lovely Fraser family moment.”
Sophie added Brianna got to have her family moment when her parents arrived and they meet Jemmy for the first time.
“They have that lovely little family moment there. Unspoken things are said, especially at the dinner table scene when Bree comes back in. The Frasers are really there to support each other,” she said.
Outlander season five returns to STARZ and Amazon Prime Video later this year.