One of TV’s Bloodiest, Raunchiest Hits Just Smashed a Major Streaming Milestone

Time for a bit of telly trivia: one of the bloodiest, sauciest shows to hit streaming in ages has just wrapped up its main run – yet somehow, it’s only getting more popular. I’m talking about Outlander, of course, that bizarre yet oddly addictive cocktail of sci-fi shenanigans, historical romance, and Highland carnage that’s kept viewers glued to Starz since 2014.

The Plot (in a kilt-wearing nutshell)

For anyone who’s avoided spoilers for an entire decade: Caitríona Balfe leads the show as Claire, an ex-WWII combat nurse who finds herself mysteriously zapped from 1945 straight into 18th-century Scotland, courtesy of some ancient standing stones. Obviously, as you do. Life in another era isn’t exactly a picnic – think Jacobite drama, dodgy hygiene, plenty of sword-fighting, and soon enough, a passionate fling with kilted heartthrob Jamie Fraser (played by Sam Heughan). Needless to say, it’s all a bit steamy, a bit violent, and never remotely dull.

Historic Run: Outlander’s Decade of Streaming Dominance

The numbers for Outlander are genuinely ridiculous. Based on Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling novels and adapted for TV by Ronald D. Moore, the show launched in 2014 and soldiered on for eight seasons, finally bidding farewell on 15 May. Any other series would be quietly shuffling towards the exit; Outlander is still strutting around like it owns the place.

It’s not just still popular – it’s commanding. The show’s held the #1 slot on Starz’s streaming service since its finale, which isn’t exactly what you’d expect for something that’s technically finished. Even more impressive: Outlander has landed in Starz’s Top 10 chart for an almost implausible 671 days. And no, that’s not a typo – 671 days. For a bit of context, recent Starz entries like Spartacus: House of Ashur, Sweetpea, and Shining Vale have all taken their shot at the charts and mostly faded away.

Only one rival franchise has matched Outlander’s staying power on Starz, and that’s Power (and its never-ending collection of spin-offs). But Power had a couple of months’ head start back in 2014, so depending on how competitive you’re feeling, take that how you like.

The Spin-Off: Blood of My Blood Steps Up

So that’s the original show, but what about Outlander’s future? Well, Starz isn’t daft—they’ve already launched a spin-off, because why on earth wouldn’t they, given those numbers?

Outlander: Blood of My Blood landed in August. This prequel doesn’t stick with Claire and Jamie, but instead digs into their families’ backstories. You get Jamie’s parents’ romance set in 18th century Scotland, plus Claire’s parents meeting during World War I in England. Conveniently ticking those 'forbidden love' and 'sweeping historical epic' boxes all over again.

• Main cast: Harriet Slater, Jamie Roy, Hermione Corfield, and Jeremy Irvine.
• Showrunner: Matthew B. Roberts (and still based on Gabaldon’s work, naturally).
• Streaming success: Currently #4 on Starz’s chart, having clocked up an impressive 239 days in the Top 10 since its August debut.
• Status: Already renewed for a second series, expected later this year.

Outlandish Longevity (And What's Next)

Here’s the catch: while Blood of My Blood is off to a good start, it’s early days. It’s getting the numbers, yes, but there are no concrete plans announced beyond its upcoming second run. The gap between a solid debut and long-running addiction is a big one—just ask half the other franchise spin-offs left gathering dust.

In case you missed it, one Starz executive described the spin-off’s goal:

'We want to give fans more of what they love but push the story in new directions at the same time.'