WARNING: The following article contains potential spoilers from Outlander season 6.
Fans of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander novels will be familiar with Malva Christie, a resident on Fraser’s Ridge, however, viewers of the Starz series are yet to be introduced to the character. Some fans have speculated Marsali Fraser (played by Lauren Lyle) could take on Malva’s role as she has become an apprentice to Claire Fraser (Caitriona Balfe). However, executive producer Maril Davis has teased a bigger role for Lizzie (Caitlin O’Ryan). Could she be the one to take on the role of Malva?
Malva is raised as the daughter of Tom Christie and becomes an apprentice alongside Claire due to her curiosity about how things work.
Claire takes the young girl under her wing and acts as a surrogate mother to the role.
She even divulges advice on sex as it becomes clear Malva doesn’t fully understand it and believes it to be a chore for wives.
But things take a dark turn when an epidemic of dysentery spreads across the Ridge with both Claire and Tom falling ill.
READ MORE: Outlander season 6: Brianna Fraser star snubs Claire and Jamie romance
While it’s believed it is dysentery, Claire notices their symptoms are slightly different and tries to discover what’s really made them sick.
After their recovery, Tom learns Malva is pregnant and the young girl claims Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) is the father.
When she hears Malva’s claim, Claire lashes out and rushes out of the room before Young Ian (John Bell) reveals he could be the father.
Malva’s body later turns up dead in a vegetable patch and Claire tries to save her unborn baby.
However, it is later revealed Allan Christie was the father of Malva’s child and then killed her.
With Malva yet to turn up in the series, could it be that Lizzie looks to manipulate the Frasers, especially Jamie, to move up in the world.
Lizzie is currently Brianna’s (Sophie Skelton) right-hand woman and has been super helpful when it comes to caring for young Jemmy.
Seeing how happy Brianna is with Roger (Richard Rankin), could Lizzie decide she wants a family of her own and to play a bigger role in the Fraser clan?
Another idea is that Lizzie could fall pregnant by accident and worry about raising her child.
She could plot to extort the Frasers by claiming Jamie is the father to ensure he paid for the care of the baby.
Executive producer Maril teased: “Caitlin O’Ryan, who plays Lizzie, has a great story, and she is such a phenomenal actress. There are just so many exciting things.”
What storyline could be bigger for Lizzie than taking Malva’s place in the Outlander story?
Outlander seasons 1-5 are available to stream on Amazon Prime now.