Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser are expecting their first child, but the latest developments have sparked speculation that a shocking baby switch could be on the horizon.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Season 2, Episode 4 of Outlander: Blood of My Blood.

A major revelation in Outlander: Blood of My Blood has left fans wondering whether the prequel is setting up one of its most dramatic twists yet. Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy), the future parents of Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), are expecting a baby. However, the news has raised an intriguing question: could their child become part of a baby-switch storyline involving another family?

In the fourth episode of Season 2, Ellen reveals her pregnancy to Brian after surviving a dangerous mission to warn her brother, Dougal MacKenzie (Sam Retford), that Lord Lovat (Tony Curran) has betrayed the Jacobite cause. The revelation comes after Ellen’s fierce defense of Castle Leoch in the previous episode, during which she reportedly kills seven men before riding to alert Dougal and his soldiers to the impending threat.

Despite the danger surrounding her, Ellen remains determined to protect her family and allies. Her pregnancy, however, introduces a new vulnerability into an already volatile situation.

Could Ellen’s Baby Be Connected to Julia’s Son?

According to established Outlander canon, Ellen’s first pregnancy is with a son named William, who dies from smallpox at the age of 11. But the prequel has introduced a potentially complicated wrinkle: another baby William is already part of the story.

This newborn is the son of Julia Beauchamp (Hermione Corfield), Claire Fraser’s (Caitríona Balfe) mother and a time traveler, and Julia’s husband, Henry (Jeremy Irvine).

The circumstances surrounding the child have prompted speculation that the two families’ stories could intersect in an unexpected way. Could Ellen lose her own baby and take Julia’s son into her care to protect him? Or is the show preparing a different twist that would change what viewers believe they know about the children’s identities?

The stakes are particularly high because Lord Lovat currently believes that Julia’s baby is his biological descendant, heir and potential future king. If he discovers that the child’s father is actually Henry, the revelation could place the infant in serious danger.

A possible switch could therefore offer a way to protect the baby, but it remains only a theory. The series has yet to confirm whether such a storyline will unfold.

Executive Producer Matthew B. Roberts Keeps Fans Guessing

Executive producer Matthew B. Roberts is well aware of the speculation surrounding the two babies, but he is not revealing whether viewers have correctly predicted the next twist.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of comments already on that, and that’s what we want. We want people to comment because we want them to come and find out what’s really going to happen,” Roberts explained.

He then offered a warning to fans who believe they have figured out the plot: “And I’m going to tell you this, even when you think you know, you don’t know.”

When pressed on whether that meant a baby switch would happen, Roberts remained deliberately vague. “Or not. We don’t know who’s going to be who,” he added.

His comments leave the door open to multiple possibilities without confirming any particular theory. For now, fans will have to keep watching to discover how the children’s futures connect to the larger story.

Jamie Roy Hints at More Twists for Brian and Ellen

The pregnancy is not the only development likely to reshape Brian and Ellen’s future. Jamie Roy has also suggested that viewers should prepare for unexpected turns as the season progresses.

“Obviously the war is impending, but Brian and Ellen have many more wars after the war to go through after that,” Roy teased. “So, if you might think the season’s going one way, it’s going to take a turn — buckle up for that.”

His comments suggest that the couple will face challenges extending beyond the immediate threat of war. With Ellen’s pregnancy, the political betrayal surrounding Lord Lovat and the mystery of Julia’s baby all in play, their journey could become considerably more complicated than viewers anticipated.

The prospect of a baby switch remains unconfirmed, but the show’s creative team appears intent on keeping audiences guessing about what comes next.

Henry’s Trauma Could Complicate His Reunion With Julia

The episode also raises questions about Henry’s emotional recovery as he faces the prospect of returning to war.

Henry is already struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, and Julia wants him to come back as the man she remembers from before his trauma. However, the demands of war could make that difficult, particularly if the couple remain separated.

Jeremy Irvine, who plays Henry, believes a reunion with Julia could help him find his way back to himself.

“With Julia’s help, it probably is,” Irvine said when discussing whether Henry could recover some of his former strength. “Things don’t go well for him when he is not with Julia. I think if they can reunite properly, then yes.”

His remarks suggest that Julia’s presence could be central to Henry’s healing, even as the dangers surrounding their family threaten to pull them apart again.

What Happens Next in ‘Blood of My Blood’?

With Ellen and Brian preparing to become parents, Julia and Henry facing their own family challenges, and Lord Lovat’s betrayal threatening the Jacobite cause, Outlander: Blood of My Blood is building toward a series of potentially life-changing revelations.

The baby-switch theory is especially compelling because it could connect the prequel’s family histories in a way that affects the wider Outlander universe. Nevertheless, neither Roberts nor the cast has confirmed that the children will be switched, leaving the central mystery unresolved.

For now, fans can expect more surprises as the season unfolds. If Roy’s warning is any indication, the story may take a direction that even the most attentive viewers have not anticipated.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood airs Fridays on Starz.

Source: Compiled from various sources