Should Starz look at Outlander spin-offs now, or down the road?

Earlier today, there was news handed down that Game of Thrones could be getting a spin-off series (or two or three), based on HBO’s current development plans. This is the inspiration for today’s Outlander feature, one where we go ahead and ask the question: When should Starz look at spinning this series off? Should they consider it?

The first thing to note here is that if Starz does want to do this, they already have the source material without even having to cup up with new ideas themselves. Diana Gabaldon already has a series of Lord John Grey stories, plus also some novellas and short stories based on some other characters. There’s even a Jamie Fraser prequel out there that looks at adventures with Ian Murray.

So is now the time to look at some of these ideas? It’s tempting to just demand more of the Outlander universe now, but it’s probably better to wait. The flagship series is still in production of its third season, and presumably this show could go on for many more years given that there are eight books already written and more to come. While we don’t think that a spin-off would necessarily over-saturate the market (it’s a little different than The Walking Dead / Fear the Walking Dead given that there are fewer episodes of this show per season and they are more infrequent, as well), there is merit that comes in waiting. Why not play the long game here? Why not take your time in order to properly figure out what you want to do when the flagship gets closer to coming to a close? There’s also a business advantage to this because you may be able to extend the life of the franchise by years even after the main adventure is over.

Patience should also be applied when it comes to the development process. We wouldn’t even mind if Starz does ultimately what HBO is doing now — allow multiple ideas to develop, and then pick and choose what you think will work best. If you realize the value of your franchise, you’ll understand that rush-producing something for a quick payoff will only dilute it in the long run.

If Outlander does continue to be a cultural phenomenon and a ratings winner, it’s hard to imagine Starz having no interest in spinning it off down the road. For now, though, it feels like a deeper conversation for down the road.

What do you think: When should Starz consider an Outlander spin-off idea? Sound off in the comments!

As always, you can head over here to get our almost-daily updates on all things pertaining to Outlander, including season 3 teasers and more. (Photo: Starz.)