Collider: What drew you to this character and made you want to be a part of this show?
SAM HEUGHAN: All of the elements to the show were just really exciting to be a part of. When I first heard about it, I was super excited to hear that Ron Moore was the executive producer. I was a big Battlestar Galactica fan and Star Trek fan. I grew up watching those. I couldn’t believe that he was on board. And then, to be honest, as an actor, it’s great to be able to have source material. I’ve done a lot of costume dramas and things that are set in the past, and it’s great to be able to have things that you can research and material that you can look at. And Diana [Gabaldon] has certainly written a lot of material, so it’s great to have that back-up material to look at when you’re doing a production.
So many people love Outlander, and each really seems to have their own reasons why. What do you most love about being a part of this world?
HEUGHAN: I think everyone seems to find their own particular thing that they latch onto. For me, it’s a very personal thing. It’s been wonderful to come back to Scotland, to revisit my childhood and to revisit the things that I love about this country. And then, to transfer that onto the screen and let people see the wonderful locations we have and the great costumes and the history. And there are all the characters, as well. The first three episodes set up the story, but then the character relationships really start to develop. Episode 6 is unbelievable. It’s great. It allows the viewer to learn who these characters are, and then it really begins to twist those relationships.
This show is so ridiculously beautiful to look at. How much does that help you, as an actor, in getting into the headspace to tell this story and live with this character?
HEUGHAN: Honestly, we can’t believe it. Every time you look at the show, you think, “That’s not real!” We were shooting some episodes in Doune Castle, which is the Castle Leoch in Episodes 2 and 3. You see the scenery in the background and you think, “That’s not real. That must be CGI.” There’s no CGI in the show, or there’s very little. It’s all there. It all really is Scotland. We’ve got an amazing light here, and amazing locations. The set design has been fantastic, and the costumes, as well. It is just such a joy for an actor to be able to go on a set like that. It’s done for you. When you look at the background, it’s amazing.
There is so much character growth and development with each episode. What have you most enjoyed about the journey, especially in the first half of the season, since you’ll be airing eight episodes before a break?
HEUGHAN: The thing I’m enjoying playing with Jamie is that his character does develop. When you’re introduced to him, you think he’s one thing, and then you find out that he’s an outlaw. And then, slowly, through the series, you discover that there are a lot of other sides to him, as well. He constantly surprises me, and hopefully he will the viewers, as well. By the end of the season, he goes somewhere completely different. By Episode 8, you’ve gotten to know the characters and it’s really exciting, but the second half of the season has even more intrigue. The characters go to some very different, very dark places, as well. There’s a lot to discover. That’s the joy of working with these characters.
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