Murtagh and Grace have something special in Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 2! Episodes 7 and 8 were a living proof of that. We sit down to talk with Rory Alexander and Ruby Fubara about what brings their characters together, why Grace’s freedom to choose matters, and what Brian’s apology means to Murtagh after everything that happened. Ready?
Here we go!
Rory Alexander and Ruby Fubara Explain What Makes Murtagh and Grace Different
For Alexander, Murtagh and Grace recognize something familiar in each other from the very beginning: neither has much control over the direction of their own life. Their families are the ones who “tell them what to do and where to go,” so they understand “that sense of duty” that comes with having to follow other people’s expectations.
There is also a more playful side to their first interactions. As Alexander pointed out, Murtagh is “a bit cheeky with her” when they meet, and Grace is just as cheeky with him. That back-and-forth is part of what catches his attention. He sees “a kind of fire and a spark in her that leaves him impressed and attracted to her.” For Alexander, that makes their connection something unique.
Fubara agreed with that reading, adding another layer to what Grace finds in Murtagh. She believes Grace has probably had to wear “a mask with everyone else,” but that mask can finally come off when she is with him. Their shared circumstances allow them to relate to each other in a way that is difficult with other people.
As Fubara explained, both characters are in positions where they “don’t have a lot of power” and their lives “aren’t really their own. So there is a particular comfort in being with someone who understands that experience without needing it explained.” Murtagh and Grace can recognize themselves in each other, and that gives them room to be more open.
Ruby Fubara on the Moment Grace Finally Gets to Put Herself First
That lack of control makes Grace’s decisions all the more important. For much of her life, other people have determined what happens next, so getting to choose Murtagh for herself is a significant step. Fubara described it as “really beautiful” that Grace “gets to make that decision on her own,” especially because it involves someone she cares about.
Choosing to be with Murtagh is “a big one for her.” Grace may never even have had to consider “the possibility of having someone she is in love with, or someone who would love her back,” the actress explained. That changes the meaning of this relationship because, “she is finally thinking about what she wants and what being with someone could mean for her.”
Fubara also highlighted the importance of the more intimate side of their relationship. Making the choice to be with Murtagh in that way is something Grace “has never really had the opportunity to decide for herself. Now, she can make that choice with someone who is genuinely special to her.”
And that matters. Grace gets to decide that she wants Murtagh, and to explore what that means on her own terms.
MORE: Outlander: Blood of My Blood: Matthew B. Roberts on Ellen’s Kidnapping and Henry’s Defining Choice
Rory Alexander Reveals How Brian’s Apology Changes Everything for Murtagh
Brian’s apology to Murtagh over Ellen is another important step forward. Alexander explained that it means a great deal to Murtagh because Brian is the one person with whom he has a proper bond. Feeling betrayed by him was particularly painful, and it was the one time Murtagh felt he had been “properly betrayed” by someone so important to him. As Alexander put it, the experience “really shook him to the core.”
But Murtagh can also understand Brian’s side of things. Alexander described him as “a kind of natural romantic” who can “see the wood for the trees.” He is able to look beyond his own hurt and recognize what Brian and Ellen have together. He understands that their relationship is real, that Brian’s feelings for Ellen are different from what existed between them, and that Brian was being foolish.
For Alexander, Murtagh can see that “[Ellen] looks at [Brian] in a way that she will never look at him and he can accept that now.” His ego is “less bruised,” as the actor put it, which means the two men can finally move past what happened.
That doesn’t mean Murtagh wants to distance himself from Brian and Ellen. Quite the opposite. Alexander explained that he wants to be able to give both of them “his time, effort, and love.” With the apology, he can finally do that “in a completely unproblematic way.” For the actor, that’s “kind of a perfect outcome.”
And Grace’s presence opens another possibility for Murtagh. Alexander specifically pointed to the moment when she starts walking down the corridors of Leoch and Murtagh realizes, “‘ok, this could happen [to me] too.’” After everything that has happened with Brian and Ellen, he can begin to imagine a future that includes something of his own.
For Murtagh, that is a significant change. He can accept Brian and Ellen’s relationship without feeling that he has to lose them, while also allowing himself to consider what he and Grace might become. And with Grace finally getting to make choices for herself, maybe they both have something new to look forward to.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 2 airs on Fridays at 8:00 PM ET only on STARZ and at midnight in STARZ App.
