Why did Laura Donnelly leave Outlander? Reasons explored

Outlander season 7, episode 9 brought Jenny Murray back to the screen, although she looks a little different now. Jamie's older sister and the matriarch of Lallybroch hasn't been seen since season 3.

After the death of her husband and childhood friend Ian Murray, she sees no point in staying in Lallybroch. When Jamie decides to return to his people in America, Jenny decides to go with him. It's been established that Jenny will return to Scotland in series seven, part two, but she'll be quite different.

Episode 9 brings back the touching reunion, but this time without Donnelly. This episode finally brings Jamie, Claire, and young Ian back to Lallybroch in Scotland on a journey they've been trying to make for several seasons.

Jenny welcomes them warmly; so glad to see her youngest son again, who was kidnapped and taken to America in season 3. It looks like Jenny will be part of the story in season 7, especially after the death of her husband, Ian Murray.

The reason behind Laura Donnelly’s leaving Outlander

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Donnelly brings Jenny to life in season 1. She plays the sister to Sam Heughan's Jamie and shows her feelings for Caitriona Balfe's Claire. She continued for two more series but left when the storyline moved the main characters away from Jenny's home in Scotland.

Laura Donnelly left Outlander for other commitments. She was also pregnant with her second child during that time. The period from Season 3 to Season 7 saw Donnelly's career become extremely hectic.

She appeared in HBO's The Nevers and even starred in Broadway productions such as The Ferryman and The Hills of California. This schedule kept her busy and made it impossible for her to return as Jenny in season 7.

Kristie Atherton will now be playing the previous character of Jenny Murray portrayed by Laura Donnelly.

Also Read: Season 8: Everything we know so far

Atherton as Jenny Murray in Outlander

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Jenny Murray comes second in the list of children to Brian and Ellen Fraser. She grows up on her family's estate, Broch Tuarach, in the Scottish Highlands. She is married to Ian Murray and they have seven children.

In season 7, episode 9, Atherton plays Jenny in two different periods: first, when Claire, Jamie, and young Ian return to Scotland in 1778, and second, when Roger learns he is in the wrong time in 1739.

It is hard enough for Atherton to follow in the footsteps of Laura Donnelly, who first played Jenny. The actress has to fill in for two very different characters - Jenny in her 20s and a woman in her 50s - so it is fitting that we only see glimpses of the former throughout the series.

Seeing the younger Jenny makes the scenes with the older Jenny heartbreaking. It brings up the theme of young love and shows how long Jenny has cared for Ian. They grew up together and their families were friends, so it is understandably harder for Jenny when she loses Ian.

On the other hand, the older Jenny wants to find a way to save her husband. She keeps expressing anger to Claire when she is told there is nothing that can be done. Then we see a really powerful moment when she screams in the woods full of raw emotion.

Atherton has done a convincing job of capturing Jenny's pain on screen, just as the character has been described in the book.

Also Read: Outlander Season 7 Episode 9 recap