Outlander star Duncan Lacroix breaks down that huge Murtagh twist

Outlander delivered a gut-wrenching, heartbreaking blow in last night’s episode, “The Ballad of Roger Mac.” But before I get into the nitty-gritty details of it, I’m putting out a disclaimer that if you have not seen the most recent episode of Outlander, do not read this article unless you’re okay with major SPOILERS! I wouldn’t want to sully the viewing of an incredible episode.

Okay the twist: In Diana Gabaldon’s third book, Voyager, Jamie Fraser loses his godfather on the Culloden battlefield. Book-readers knew this was coming, and now, show-only watchers got to join in their pain.

But this devastating loss took place a bit differently on the STARZ series. In last night’s episode, we said goodbye to the wonderful Murtagh, who was slain during the battle between the Regulators and the British.

Fans (including myself) were beside themselves trying to grasp the reality that Murtagh is indeed dead and gone. But luckily, Duncan Lacroix, who played Murtagh, took part in multiple interviews to get us through this very difficult time. Naturally, he’s just as much in mourning as we are.

Speaking to Collider, Lacroix explained the moment he learned Murtagh’s final days were upon him:

"I found out just before the beginning of the season … because I was optioned for six seasons. But yeah, it kind of finally ran its course and they dropped the bomb on me before we started filming the season."

Right before the season?! That’s not enough time.

One of my favorite moments, albeit devastating, was when Murtagh was lying in Jamie’s arms taking his final breaths. I think the show did a wonderful job portraying that moment for both book and show fans alike. I am confident that not a single person was disappointed, besides the obvious, of course.

"I think, in a way, that’s how we kind of postponed – but kind of stayed true to the books – because the last lines he says to Jamie are the last lines he says to Jamie at [the battle of] Culloden. It was just postponed another 20-25 years. But I think that character kind of ran its course, actually, in terms of the show. And I think it’s a fitting end. He was the last kind of relic from the Highlands, from Culloden, the old Highland way of life and I think it kind of resonates. Once he dies, [Jamie’s] given an even steelier purpose to continue the battle as things will progress – take the fight to the Brits in the war of revolution."

I’m sure we can all agree that last night’s episode was played out perfectly by Sam Heughan, aka Jamie Fraser. Filming a scene of that emotional magnitude couldn’t have been easy. Lacroix explained how they got through it:

"It was quite hard. You just lay there and not breathe – trying not to move. I was just trying to zone out everything because usually I’ve found the more you think about not breathing the harder you started breathing. Yeah, you could feel the strength of the performance going on around you, and I was fine, and it was actually when Caitriona [Balfe] – she grabs my hand and says, ‘Oh, Murtagh, my friend.’ And I then I was like, ‘Oh, oh. This is actually really [sad].’ That was quite upsetting. Yeah, I felt the power of the scene there."

In addition to Collider, he also spoke to TVLine about what went down. Too much happened to be confined to one interview.

The Jamie-and-Claire scenes following Murtagh’s death were emotionally packed and really brought out the best in Heughan and Balfe. Given that Murtagh was dead, Lacroix had to take in the intensity of those scenes with his eyes closed.

"Well, when you’re there, you just got to let them, I mean, it’s their scene at that point. We shot that scene at the tree twice, as well, but the first time we shot it yeah, I got really emotional that day for some reason. I didn’t expect to… It was just that scene, saying goodbye to this guy that I’ve inhabited for six years. It all kind of came crushing down on me between takes. Sam did such an amazing job in those scenes and in the triage tent."

I know that before grieving Murtagh’s loss, we were still trying to process the loss of the relationship between him and Jocasta (Maria Doyle Kennedy). I had such a difficult time letting that relationship go because it was so beautiful and brought both of them so much happiness. I’m not ready to see Jocasta’s reaction when she learns of Murtagh’s death.

Outlander — Courtesy of STARZ

“That was just such a magical scene as we were shooting it, and Maria is just so amazing in it,” Lacroix remembered. “She’s such a talented actress… It was such a well-written scene but also we’re very good at the non-verbal communication, myself and Maria. There’s a lot that we’re able to play out on our faces and gestures. You know, it was great to give it that richness and depth. So yeah, I just chewed that scene up, I loved it. [Laughs]”

Well, fellow Outlander fans, the inevitable has finally happened, and while Murtagh has bid farewell to the series he will continue to live on in our hearts. Thank you, Duncan Lacroix, for bringing the best version of Murtagh we could have ever asked for.

You will be missed.

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