Outlander boss reveals snubbing star in 'crazy' but key casting move
The actor narrowly missed out on a role in Outlander
One of the stars from the Outlander prequel series, Blood of My Blood, tmissed out on an earlier part in the flagship show for a rather extraordinary reason.
Jamie Roy, who auditioned for the minor role of Militia Man Number Two in the seventh season of Outlander, didn't secure the role, unaware that the creators had very different plans for his future within the franchise.
Roy said that he was initially "gutted" at not landing the position as he saw it as a potential "big break", given how significant an appearance in Outlander is for one's acting career.
However, fate had other ideas, and instead of being cast as a fleeting soldier character, Roy found himself in the role of a primary character in the prequel, Outlander: Blood of My Blood.
He graced the screen as the young Brian Fraser, father to Sam Heughan's celebrated Highland hero Jamie Fraser in Outlander, setting him up for a swift ascent in showbiz fame, thanks to Outlander's remarkable success and Jamie Fraser's zealous fanbase, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
Maril Davis, a producer who's been instrumental in the Outlander saga since its inception in 2014, reminisced about Roy's original Outlander audition in a recent chat, stating: "We were like, 'God, that guy looks a lot like Sam Heughan. That's so crazy. Oh, do we save him [for the prequel]?".
However, she admitted to a moment of doubt, querying herself with "But why are we saving him for something that we don't even know is going to go?'"
Speaking further to Vanity Fair, Davis expressed relief over the prequel's fruition stating: "I would've felt bad if the prequel hadn't come. But we did decide to save him."
Scottish actor Roy, originally from Greenock, has previously featured in Burning Lies, Condor's Nest and Meeting Me, Meeting You. However, his role in Blood of My Blood is set to be his most significant yet.
Outlander has already portrayed Brian's tragic demise with Shetland star Andrew Whipp embodying the older version of the character.
Blood of My Blood will now present a younger Brian and delve into his turbulent yet passionate love affair with rival clan member Ellen MacKenzie, played by Harriet Slater.
While Blood of My Blood isn't based on any literary works like Outlander, which draws inspiration from Diana Gabaldon's series of novels, snippets of Ellen and Brian's romance have been alluded to in the original series.
Viewers will witness how Jamie's parents fell head over heels for each other and maintained their relationship despite familial opposition.
The series will also illuminate the romantic history of Claire Fraser's (Caitríona Balfe) parents during WWI, showcasing the long-distance love story between Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine) and Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield).
Audiences are in for a treat with two distinct love stories set in different time periods, both promising to be equally enthralling and dramatic.
Producer Davis confessed that it was a challenge to depict the two romances on screen and allocate equal screen time to each, but she expressed confidence that the production team had managed to do justice to both narratives.
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