‘Outlander’ Star Sam Heughan Says Filming Season 3 Feels Like A ‘Death In The Family’

A lot of changes are coming when Outlander returns for its third season.

From older versions of Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe) to the characters spending a great deal of time apart, Season 3 is going to be very different than previous years.

Sadly, Droughtlander isn’t ending anytime soon, but Blastr reports that Heughan recently opened up about what’s in store for Jamie this season.

For starters, Heughan revealed that Jamie will undergo a significant aging process.

“I mean, I’m probably not allowed to say much, but I think we all know that the books do span a great amount of time. Season 3, in particular, yeah, I mean, there was an aging process. There was definitely a different look to the characters, but you’ll have to tune in to find out, I guess.”

This season will feature a lot of prosthetic makeup, but Heughan is well prepared for the challenges.

“But even in Season 1, I had hours and hours of prosthetic makeup whenever the back scarring was on or Jamie got shot or injured,” he shared. “By no means does that stop in Season 3 so, yes, there’s been a lot of very long days where I’ve been in makeup.”

Season 3 of Outlander is based on Diana Gabaldon’s third novel, Voyager.

The season will pick up with Jamie’s fight at the Battle of Culloden before jumping around in time.

According to International Business Times, fans will watch Jamie and Claire live apart for 20 years before they discover that they are both alive and well.

In the book, their reunion happens inside a print shop, though executive producer Ronald D. Moore has a different plan in mind.

Although the two lovers will have an epic reunion this season, Heughan discussed what it has been like filming scenes without Balfe at his side.

“Yeah. Honestly, it’s like having a death in the family. Well, I don’t know, I mean, it’s just like a different show. It’s hard to separate yourself from the character. Jamie’s present, living in his world, and Claire’s present and living in her world, and they both believe the other is dead.”

The actor went on to admit that it is difficult working alone but is looking forward to Jamie’s reunion with Claire.

“It’s always hard when we’re apart, actually, because she’s a great person, great to come to work with, and a very good actress. But I think it all adds to the reunion—if there’s a reunion, or when there’s a reunion—well you know there’s one in the books. It should be very special,” he stated.

While fans eagerly wait for the new season of Outlander, Parade reports that Tara Bennett, author of the new book, The Making of Outlander, recently spilled some secrets about what happens behind the scenes.

When asked about what it was like working with the cast and crew of Outlander, Bennett revealed that they all work hard to produce an authentic experience.

“Ron and Maril [Davis] have also made sure that they’ve hired people that really can bring authenticity,” she stated. “They have really gone to town on making sure that it as accurate as possible, that they’re getting aesthetics, but they’re also really trying to rebuild the world. You can really get a taste of what it would feel like to live where Claire is walking.”

Bennett also dished on what it was like interviewing Heughan and had nothing but good things to say about the actor.

“Sam is wonderful. I talked to him a lot in coverage for the show. I always just find him so gracious,” she shared. “I think the thing that was really wonderful about our conversation was talking about his choices, and how to humanize Jamie. Because I think Jamie, on the page sometimes, can come off as the perfect man, which is why everybody loves him. Sam really wanted to make sure that Jamie was a fallible character, who isn’t perfect.”

Although the show strives to adapt the books as accurate as possible, there are changes that have to be made.

According to International Business Times, producers don’t like to stray from the original material unless there is a need to up the drama.

“Our rule is kind of, if we feel it’s dramatically sound, then we can go for it,” Toni Graphia, executive producer, explained. “We wouldn’t violate Diana’s characters, but if it’s something we could make a case for could really happen, if she thought Jamie was about to be killed, she would absolutely jump in there.”

Apart from a few details here and there, the show has done an excellent job staying true to the novels.

Season 3 of Outlander isn’t scheduled to premiere on Starz until 2017. Fans can, however, enjoy Season 2 all over again as the DVD and Blu-ray editions were released this week.

According to ET Online, the DVD includes a host of added features, including a hilarious blooper reel of Heughan and Balfe.

Check out the first look at Season 3 of Outlander below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmFDw0YrBWA

[Featured Image by Starz]