Sam Heughan has been receiving plenty of praise for his portrayal of Jamie Fraser in Outlander . Heughan’s character went through plenty of hard times in the first season of the show, including a stint in prison that featured a sexual assault . Heughan recently sat down with E! Online and discussed his character’s storyline and what to expect in Season 2.
“I was really shocked by the response. I knew we’d done some really intense work and I was really proud of it, but I didn’t know what people would make of it… I know that a lot of it comes down to the director Anna and Ron editing as well. We did go farther in some places and there was pullback in some places, but I think we really found that fine line. It’s challenging viewing, but I think that’s sort of what viewers want these days.”
Following a difficult first season with his Outlander character, Heughan also reflected on how things might look for Jamie and Claire going into Season 2.
“I don’t think it’s ever going to be the same again. They’ve learned about themselves, they’ve learned about each other and their relationship. But they have a lot to deal with now. There’s the new responsibility that Claire’s now pregnant so she has that going on and Jamie has this mental side, and he’s got to get over that. And obviously they have to fight even harder to get together, but it’s not about escaping the British or escaping Wentworth. It’s more of a mental fight and a psychological one. But what happens in France is they have to team together for the greater good, and ultimately it will make their relationship a lot stronger. It’s been a really interesting journey to play all that and to be given that gift as an actor, has been incredible. I mean you rarely get that on television. So it’s quite refreshing actually.”
As for all of the uproar concerning #EmmysForOutlander, Heughan again seemed shocked by all of the Emmy buzz.
“It’s kind of a shock. You don’t think about that at all when you’re filming it obviously, and you’re just trying to do the best work you can. And I think if we are being talked about in any sort of capacity, it’s just because everyone is working their butts off on the show, and everyone’s doing a really good job. And if people want to reward it, then that’s even better, but I guess the best part of it is the reaction from the fans, and the people watching it, that’s the real payoff. If there is anything else beyond it, then that’s just a bonus.”
Fans will have to wait until mid-July to see if Heughan earns an Emmy nod for Season 1, and they will have to wait even further for Season 2. The next season of Outlander is currently filming, but has no premiere date yet.
[Photo Courtesy: Alberto E. Rodriguez for Getty Images]