Outlander's Sam Heughan admits he's 'terrified' as he lands totally different new role
Outlander star Sam Heughan has landed his first stage role in over a decade, and it's a big one
Sam Heughan, the star of Outlander, is poised for a grand return to the stage after more than ten years, diving into his next role with fervour.
Post-filming the final eighth series of the acclaimed Starz drama, he has secured what he calls a "dream role" as he joins the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company for the first time.
Heughan is set to embody Macbeth, Shakespeare's infamous Royal murderer, marking his return to Shakespearean theatre since performing in King John back in 2012 and taking on the caped crusader in Batman Live during 2011-12.
The Scots actor describes this foray back to the boards as "the drug I'm looking for" following more than a decade as the dashing Jamie Fraser alongside Caitriona Balfe's Claire on Outlander.
Joining him in this venture, The Crown actress Lia Williams is slated to play Lady Macbeth, while Daniel Raggett is at the helm directing this iteration at The Other Place studio venue in Stratford-upon-Avon, under the banner of the RSC, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
Fans can witness Heughan as Macbeth from 9th October to 6th December later this year.
Speaking on the motivation behind seeking out this challenge, Heughan expressed to Deadline: "I was looking for something that would really excite me. I've been doing Outlander for 11 years, and obviously it was brilliant, but I wanted something else.
"And I went to the RSC to see Edward II there, and I just felt that buzz.
"I sat in the auditorium and I felt that excitement, sort of the churn in my stomach as the lights went down and I was like, 'Yeah, this is the drug I'm looking for.'"
He then confessed: "And it's terrifying. And I think that's a good thing to be scared again."
Reflecting on his last theatrical outing as Batman, he lightheartedly recalled that although "it was not quite Shakespeare or the RSC", it did involve an international tour that spanned across the UK and Europe all the way to the US.
"We did Las Vegas, we played in Bueno Aires and the O2 in London hanging upside down, wearing PVC."
With a touch of humour, he hinted: "I dunno, maybe there'll be a bit of that in Macbeth as well. You never know."
In addition, the actor offered some insight into the anticipated release timeline of the final Outlander season, though no official date has been set thus far.
He indicated that season eight of Outlander could likely make its debut "towards next year", considering this would be after the prequel series Outlander: Blood of My Blood hits the screens.
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