Sam Heughan, Caitriona Balfe, and Outlander showrunner Matthew B. Roberts came together recently for a virtual ‘For Your Consideration’ event hosted by Deadline. Things are up in the air all over given the coronavirus pandemic, but the Emmys are still scheduled to take place on September 20, with Jimmy Kimmel as the host. That means Outlander stands to take home some hardware, especially since season 5 was up there with the best television of the year.
In my personal opinion, season 5 was the best one yet. The plot moved forward, the show engaged with lots of weighty topics, and both Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) and Caitriona Balfe (Claire Fraser) knocked their material out of the park. If they don’t get some recognition at the Emmys, I think Sassanechs around the world will riot.
During the panel, Heughan looked back on his favorite moments from the season, of which there were many. Jamie had a difficult year of it, what with losing his godfather Murtagh (Duncan LaCroix), helping Claire process her sexual assault, and almost losing his own life. It was difficult material, but a great opportunity for an actor:
"We have such a safe environment. All credit to Matt and to [executive producer] Toni [Graphia] and to our amazing director Jamie Payne, who dealt with this with great sensitivity, and gave, I think, a really safe platform for us to explore these themes. When you have this community, when you have this close-knit group of people working together, we can open up more and we can explore these things deeper. Credits to everyone that was involved in this. If it wasn’t for that, we probably wouldn’t be able to go to those more challenging places."
For me, watching Jamie lose Murtagh was incredibly painful to watch. At that moment, as Murtagh lay in Jamie’s arms taking his final breaths, I don’t think I’ve ever felt more emotion. Both LaCroix and Heughan did an incredible job with that scene!
"The Murtagh storyline, it’s not a part of Diana Gabaldon’s book, but for me and for Jamie, it’s one of the strongest storylines we’ve had for him for a while, because of this dichotomy he’s in. Jamie is a man of honor, and Murtagh’s of his blood, so Jamie’s losing a part of himself, he’s losing his father figure, his confidante and someone who has been there from the beginning."
Sigh, that scene gets me every time.
While production on Outlander season 6 is on hold for the time being, Sam Heughan has been occupying his mind with thoughts about other opportunities; perhaps even playing one James Bond? With Daniel Craig’s final run as the superspy ending with this year’s No Time to Die, the world has been anxiously awaiting to hear news of who might step into those famous shoes.
Sam Heughan has been in contention for the role for a while, at least in the minds of Outlander fans. And I don’t think he would mind it in the slightest bit. In fact, in a recent interview with ITV’s This Morning, he suggested that perhaps it’s time for James Bond to be played by a Scottish actor again, something that hasn’t happened since Sean Connery originated the role onscreen way back in the 1960s. Makes sense to us…
"Obviously it’s a dream for every actor… I auditioned for it back when they were doing Bond 21 — when Daniel Craig was cast in Casino Royale and I think a lot of actors were seen in the U.K. Of course it would be a dream role. And a Scottish Bond, who doesn’t want to see another Scottish Bond?!"
I love the idea of Sam Heughan playing the next Bond just as much as the next Outlander fan, but I think things may end up going in a completely different direction. The idea of a female James Bond has been floated lately. It worked for Doctor Who, just saying.
To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.
Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels
h/t Parade, Cinemablend