The events of 2020 have likely forced another Droughtlander on fans who have been treated to a steady supply of Starz’s popular period drama series for quite some time, but it looks like Outlander Season 6 is slowly gearing up to start filming amid new safety guidelines.
In a new interview with Stellar Magazine star Sam Heughan, who has played Jamie Fraser on the show since 2014, has been talking about why he thinks Outlander continues to resonate with its fans, citing the pure central relationship between his thoughtful and occasionally rebellious character and Caitriona Balfe’s strong-minded former World War II nurse, Claire.
“There are a number of reasons [that Outlander’s audience continues to grow], but I believe it’s because at the very heart of it, it’s about a relationship that people aspire to,” Heughan said. “Whether you’re Jamie or you’re Claire, you want to be in that sort of loving relationship, that’s just 100 per cent loyal.”
As he often is, the actor was also pressed on whether he would be up for taking over from Daniel Craig as the next James Bond. Heughan has been linked to the 007 role many times over the last few years, along with the likes of Tom Hardy, Idris Elba and Dan Stevens.
“Obviously, yes – it would be a big yes,” he confirmed. “Of course any actor would want it. But I also have a theory that any reasonably well-known British actor who’s worn a suit instantly has their name thrown into the ring by fans.”
Heughan recently revealed that some pre-production work on Outlander’s sixth season had already started, and it seems like filming will soon begin on new episodes.
“Obviously with Covid things have been delayed but we are definitely gearing up,” he told Live with Kelly and Ryan. “I’ve been in a few times for costume fittings. Yeah, we’re going to have to adapt and look at a new way of working around it but we’re getting there.”
Heughan added “I’m excited. I’m excited to go back to work.”
The fifth season of Outlander focused on the steadfast union across time itself between Jamie and Claire, and the developing relationship between their daughter Brianna and her on-again-off-again boyfriend Roger as the American Revolutionary War loomed. Two major characters were killed off during the events of Season 5 – fan favorite and father figure Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser and the villainous Steven Bonnet, who finally paid for his crimes against the Fraser family.
The season ended with a shocking gang rape that left fans distraught, and a new war appeared to be brewing between the Frasers and local Brownsville mayor, Richard Brown. The cast have hinted that the Fraser family might be fractured at the start of Season 6, with Claire attempting to heal from her horrific assault and some characters wondering if a trip back through the stones will ever be on the cards again.
More on Season 6 soon.