The newly independent cable and streaming outlet has ordered a second season of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, a prequel to its long-running drama. The renewal for the Sony Pictures TV-produced series comes about six weeks before Blood of My Blood’ s Aug. 8 series premiere; production on season two began Monday.

The prequel series “ Outlander: Blood of My Blood ” has been renewed for Season 2 ahead of the series premiere on Aug. 8 on Starz. Production on Season 2 is now underway in Scotland, with Sony Pictures Television producing.

The first season of Outlander: Blood of My Blood will premiere on August 8, with new episodes available to stream weekly on Fridays via Starz on Amazon Prime Video. The news of a second season came as a surprise to Outlander fans, as Outlander: Blood of My Blood was expected to be a limited series, with only ten episodes.