As a lifelong devotee of cinema and literature who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of Outlander’s world, I must say that the recent recasting of Jenny Murray came as quite the surprise. Having followed the journey of Jamie Fraser, Claire Fraser, and their extended family for seasons on end, it was disheartening to see such a pivotal character like Jenny being played by someone other than Laura Donnelly.
The much-anticipated final episodes of the seventh season of “Outlander” made their comeback on Starz in November, leaving fans thrilled with anticipation. In the midseason finale, Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitríona Balfe), along with Young Ian (John Bell), were headed back to Scotland after more than a decade away. The show’s third season saw Ian being captured by pirates, causing Claire and Jamie to embark on a mission to rescue him. This journey eventually led them to Jamaica. After they managed to reunite, the trio found themselves caught in a hurricane, which stranded them in America instead of taking them home as planned. As it’s been quite some time since they were last in Scotland, it’s clear that many changes have taken place there, including one significant cast member.
In earlier seasons of “Outlander”, Laura Donnelly played the role of Jenny Murray, who is Ian’s mother, Jamie’s sister, and a significant character. As the series progresses towards its penultimate season, Kristin Atherton has taken over the portrayal of Jenny. The show, known for its intricate character development and captivating storylines, doesn’t typically make such changes lightly. Fans were surprised when this news was announced following the sixth season finale in 2022. Although Jenny had been absent for a few seasons, fans expected her return due to their familiarity with her from the books. However, Donnelly and her endearing personality won’t be coming back, as Jenny has been recast. This change leaves viewers wondering about the reasons behind it.
Laura Donnelly Is Occupied With Other Projects
It’s not clear if there’s an official explanation for Donnelly being replaced, but her packed schedule could potentially be a factor. From television to Broadway, she’s kept quite busy since leaving the Scottish highlands for a break. Since her departure from the show during its third season, Donnelly has appeared in HBO’s series, The Nevers, Disney+’s Werewolf by Night special, Hulu’s Say Nothing, and Broadway productions such as The Hills of California and The Ferryman, which even earned her a Tony nomination.
As a devoted movie lover, I can’t help but reflect upon the departure of Caitriona Balfe from Outlander, a role she played so magnificently. Little did we know that behind the scenes, she was embarking on another significant journey – motherhood. In 2017, she left the show while pregnant with her second child. Now, as a mother of two, juggling the demands of a busy schedule and the responsibilities of family life might have made filming such an extensive series on location too challenging for her.
Jenny Is an Important Part of ‘Outlander’s Story
Due to the way the story of Outlander progresses, leaving Jenny out due to Donnelly’s absence wasn’t feasible. She may not be as central as Jamie or Claire, but her role is crucial in shaping the world of Outlander. As the main characters frequently visit Lallybroch during her time, encounters with Jenny are unavoidable and essential. While Jamie and Claire were in America, it was possible to mention Jenny casually since she didn’t necessarily need to appear onscreen herself.
As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel that Jenny, having returned to Scotland with Jamie and Claire in the latter part of Season 7, shouldn’t just remain a distant figure through letters or discussions. Given her deep roots in Lallybroch, it seems only natural that when Jamie, Claire, and Young Ian come back, they would run into Jenny. If there are significant events unfolding at the homestead over multiple episodes, it’s hard to imagine her being absent from the action.
In Season 4, Bree traveled back to the 18th century to warn her parents about their impending death. Interestingly, she encountered Lallybroch when Jenny wasn’t present. However, this isn’t how it transpires in Diana Gabaldon’s books. Instead, Bree and Jenny meet in the novels. The series explains Jenny’s absence by saying she was helping with the delivery of one of her grandchildren at that time. Although the show could have invented a different reason for her being absent, given the events in the latter half of Season 7 necessitated Jenny’s presence, it was impossible for these circumstances to play out without her there.
How Does Kristin Atherton’s Jenny Compare to Donnelly’s in ‘Outlander’?
Instead of trying to mimic Donnelly’s past portrayal, Atherton undeniably makes Jenny uniquely her own character. Since Jenny has significantly evolved since her last appearance, both in terms of age and life experiences, Atherton’s interpretation doesn’t come across as surprising. She effectively depicts the various ways Jenny has grown over time, and it’s intriguing to know that she originally auditioned for the role of Jenny when the show was initially created.
Initially, some spectators might find it tough to adjust to the new portrayal of Jenny, but there’s no arguing that Atherton convincingly embodies the character. Given my past appreciation for Donnelly’s interpretation and prior knowledge of the role, Atheron seamlessly slipped into 18th-century Scotland with relative ease.
New episodes of Outlander premiere every Friday on Starz and the Starz app.
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2024-12-01 22:32