7 times Outlander deserved an Emmy but didn’t get one
By Ariba Bhuvad
Duncan Lacroix for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Duncan Lacroix was the heart and soul of Outlander while he was on it as Murtagh Fraser. Unfortunately, he took his final bow in the season 5 episode “The Ballad of Roger Mac” when he died during the Battle of Alamance.
It was such a painful loss, even though fans were lucky enough to get Murtagh for longer on the series than they did in the books (he dies in the second novel, Dragonfly in Amber, during the Battle of Culloden). My heart broke when Murtagh took his final breath in Jamie’s arms.
Which brings me to my next rant: why the heck did Lacroix get ignored by the Emmys? If they couldn’t conjure up a spot for him in the Supporting Actor category, then couldn’t they have done him a solid and given him Guest Actor nomination, perhaps? I mean, he wasn’t a guest actor by any means but at least he would have been recognized for his amazing performance.
There are a lot of strong Murtagh episodes, but some of my favorites are from the first season when he and Claire are searching for Jamie, who had been captured by the English. Lacroix and Balfe’s friendly chemistry as they travel across Scotland is so much fun and tremendously entertaining.
I also loved watching Lacroix in the season 5 episode, “Savages” where he and Jamie reunite after a very, very long time apart. After being imprisoned in Ardsmuir, Murtagh was a servant for about 12 years and wound up being the property of a blacksmith. A chance encounter brings him and Jamie back together. Lacroix exudes so much emotion in these scenes, and you can feel the simultaneous heartbreak and joy he experiences while reuniting with his grandson. I just loved every second, and I can’t believe the Emmys chose to overlook him.
And don’t get me started on Murtagh’s final season, where he led a group of revolutionaries. Lacroix payed his final few episodes so well, and if there was ever a time for him to shine on the awards circuit, this was it. But alas, it was not to be.
