Outlander: Blood of My Blood” begins with death. This story opens in Scotland in 1714. At Castle Leoch, Clan MacKenzie is grieving the sudden demise of their Laird, Red Jacob MacKenzie (Peter Mullan).

As much as Outlander: Blood of My Blood is designed to appeal to the flagship show’s passionate fanbase, it’s also a prequel series that newbies to the franchise can watch. You don’t need to know Jamie and Claire’s story to fall hard for these new love stories.

Whether you love “Outlander” for its sexy love scenes, supernatural elements, Scottish culture or deeply researched historical settings (or all of the above), you’ll likely love the new prequel series that’s landing on small screens early next month.