7 times Outlander deserved an Emmy but didn’t get one

David Berry for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Lord John Grey is one of the most beloved recurring characters on Outlander. He hasn’t been a constant presence, but every time he’s around, you know it’s going to be a great episode.

Bringing Lord John Grey to life is the very talented David Berry, the perfect man to take on the character Diana Gabaldon created in her books and novellas. Berry shows up sporadically between seasons 3 through 5 and exited in season 5. However, he did make an appearance in the season 6 teaser promos for Outlander so perhaps he will return (hopefully!).

In any case, Berry should have been nominated for an Emmy in the Guest Actor category, but of course he wasn’t. I know the competition is fierce every year, but come on, these voters really need to expand their scope.

Berry had a lot of standout performances during his time on Outlander, but some of my favorites involve his scenes with Heughan. There is a close-knit bond between their two characters, Lord Grey and Jamie, and the way they work together is magic.

One of my favorite performances from Berry is in season 3, when Lord Grey and Jamie meet at Ardsmuir Prison. They have a history together, but I won’t get into the nitty-gritty details of that here. Their meeting proves fateful for Jamie’s future, and their friendship lasts a lifetime.

Watching Berry in the third season was such a breath of fresh air because things had been so gloomy beforehand. Jamie and Claire had been separated, Murtagh came back but his health was deteriorating, and the future didn’t look so great for our favorite red-headed Scot. Lord Grey turned it all around, specifically in the episode “All Debts Paid.”

Berry also had a standout performance in the season 4 episode “Of Lost Things,” where Lord Grey once again comes to Jamie’s aid. This is a crucial plot point for the series because it’s when Lord Grey promises to watch over Jamie’s illegitimate son as his stepfather. This will give Jamie’s child status in the world, and protect him from all the hate he could get if society found out who his father was.

I really wish the Emmys would have awarded Berry’s performance, but alas, we know how this story ends.