The prequel series was reported in development in February 2022, written and executive produced by Outlander showrunner Matthew B. Roberts, and was confirmed in May 2022 to focus on the parents of Jamie Fraser.

After production started in February 2024, it was confirmed the series would also cover the story of Claire's parents, an idea developed by Roberts to add a time travel element connecting the two storylines.

Author Diana Gabaldon said the show is based partly on material she had written for a planned trilogy about Jamie's parents, but stated she was not personally interested in writing Claire's parents' story, though she was receptive to the TV writers' pitch for it.

Starz ordered a 10-episode first season in January 2023, and the show was renewed for a second season in June 2025, ahead of its series premiere.

The first casting announcements in February 2024 revealed Harriet Slater, Jamie Roy, Hermione Corfield and Jeremy Irvine as the future parents of Jamie and Claire, alongside Tony Curran as Lord Lovat, Jamie's grandfather.

Several actors were cast as younger versions of characters previously seen in the original Outlander series, including Rory Alexander, Sam Retford, Séamus McLean Ross and Conor MacNeill.

Filming began in January 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland, but production was paused due to storms in the area before resuming at the end of February.

Part of the filming took place on location at Doune Castle, which served as Castle Leoch.

The first season holds a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 22 critics' reviews, and a Metacritic score of 70 out of 100 based on 15 critics, indicating 'generally favorable' reviews.