Blood of My Blood star Jamie Roy's inside life from failed Outlander auditions to actress girlfriend
Outlander: Blood of My Blood premiered to a strong start and a hugely positive fan reaction.
The show continues this week and viewers are keen to know about the cast of the show, including Scottish star Jamie Roy who plays Brian Fraser and the father of Outlander's heroic Jamie Fraser (played by Sam Heughan) and has shared behind-the-scenes snaps from filming.
Here's a look at the star's life, including his early years, how he lost out on a role in Outlander and who he's currently dating.
Jamie Roy's early life
The 32-year-old actor, who was born in Greenock on the West Coast of Scotland, before his family moved to the small town of Lenzie just outside of Glasgow.
He only came to acting later on after attending business school in Glasgow and getting a business degree at Strathclyde University.
After graduating he landed a desk job and decided it wasn't for him, before starting to take acting classes at night while working during the day.
Roy later got the chance to move to the US after he landed a job at a firm in America, but decided to turn it down and pursue acting instead.
He move to Miami, Florida in 2016 and continued to follow his dreaming of acting. He admitted to Glamour how he'd felt like an 'outsider for the longest time' as he'd not attended drama school or had any formal training apart from his 'fantastic acting classes and life'.
During his time in Florida he worked on stage at Disney theme parks, which he said served as some of his 'best training' because he was in front of a stage of 1,000 people for each show.
In 2019, he moved to LA and continued to act before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but afterwards he started to get some film roles as he built up his acting CV.
Roy is now a US citizen according to IMDb and splits his time between Scotland and LA.
Jamie Roy's failed Outlander auditions
Before landing the lead in the Outlander prequel series, Roy went for the part of Militia Man Number One in season seven but failed to get the role.
Roy said: 'I thought that I was going to get this role, I was pinned for it, and then didn't get it and was heartbroken.'
Only later did he learn, after being cast as Brian, that he'd been dropped from the role after senior Starz TV executives wanted to keep him for Blood of My Blood - even before the show had been greenlit.
He added: 'It just shows you that you never know what's happening behind closed doors and what fate has in store for you. It all worked out as it was meant to, I suppose.'
Roy also revealed how he went for another part in a storyline involving Roger MacKenzie's (Richard Rankin) in Outlander, but didn't get the role either.
Brian Fraser was Roy's third audition for the Outlander team. Since taking on Blood of My Blood, Roy has revealed he's received support from Heughan, who has given him a wealth of advice.
"[He told] me just to appreciate every moment, even on the tough days, because it goes past so quickly,' Roy told People in a recent chat.
Jamie Roy's sweet romance with fellow actress
Roy has been in a relationship with fellow actress Annika Foster for five years.
She previously posted a series of snaps on her Instagram account of them posing on Edinburgh's Royal Mile to mark their two-year anniversary back in 2023.
Along with the sweet photos, she captioned the post: 'happy 2-year honey (mustard) ilysm [sic].'
More recently, Foster shared a photo of them from Los Angeles as well as a Blood of My Blood billboard, showing her support for her partner's work.
The 31-year-old American actress has starred in Meeting You, Meeting Me, The Drawing and Burning Lies.
Some of her other roles include short film Perfidious, Melody, Prom Nightmare and Isolation Experiment, the latter two are in post-production.
Foster's forthcoming projects include Crossing Stars and Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary.
Roy and Foster worked together on the 2021 film Burning Lies in which they played love interests.
Last year, the couple appeared together in the independent movie Meeting You, Meeting Me.
Aside from her acting career, Foster had also worked as a part-time nanny and enjoys travelling the world, according to her interview on the Real Conversations with Jacob Young podcast.
She said: 'I live in a studio apartment with my partner. And it's actually … pretty easy.'
Adding: 'But I forget to go to work. I nanny on the side and I come home and he's here.'
Outlander season 8 will air on Starz and MGM+ via Prime Video in early 2026
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
19 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Edinburgh International Festival dance review: Scottish Ballet's Mary, Queen of Scots
The iconic title character is upstaged by an older Queen Elizabeth in Scottish Ballet's vivid portrayal of the parallel courts of Scotland and England, writes Lucy Ribchester Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... DANCE Mary, Queen of Scots ★★★★ Festival Theatre, until 17 August Mary, Queen of Scots has an inexorable grip on the Scottish imagination; a reminder that our history is as bloody as it is proud. Or perhaps a totem to the notion that women, no matter how powerful they become, must always watch their backs. Charlotta Öfverholm as Older Elizabeth in Scottish Ballet's Mary, Queen of Scots. | Andy Ross Scottish Ballet's new version of the Mary tale enters a vast and rich tradition of re-tellings, and stamps its own mark on the story with a vivid eye for the sexiness, grotesquery, grandeur and paranoia of the parallel courts of England and Scotland. Director James Bonas and choreographer Sophie Laplane have chosen the lens of Queen Elizabeth in her dying days through which to view Mary. In Elizabeth's fragmented memories and feverish fantasies we journey from Mary's childhood marriage to the Dauphin all the way to her afterlife as a startling, resurrected stain on Elizabeth's conscience. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The older Elizabeth is danced by Charlotta Öfverholm, a mature performer who brings a wisdom and vulnerability to her movement that is endlessly compelling to watch. As the piece opens she is almost naked, frolicking in a haze of feathers, playful as a child, skittish as a deeply disturbed woman. Aided by a Jester in a lime-green Pierrot-meets-garden-gnome outfit (a nimble Kayla-Maree Tarantolo), she conjures up visions of her past, sometimes entering the action to grasp for Mary (Roseanna Leney), or to mirror her pregnancy in a mournful dance-echo, sometimes watching from the sidelines or disappearing. Elizabeth's younger self meanwhile is danced by Harvey Littlefield, occasionally on stilts, boldly visualising the uncanny difference between the imposing masculine role Elizabeth had to cultivate and the fragile soul within. Laplane's choreography flows like quicksilver through different styles and influences, bringing in graceful courtly posturing, flat-footed earthy ceilidhs and even glimpses of tango in a sultry duet between Mary and Darnley. Similarly Mikael Karlsson and Michael P Atkinson's original score is a silky mash-up of Scottish melodies, Elizabethan jigs and pure musical drama. But overall the piece ends up hovering between two stools, unsure if it wants to be a collage of arresting visual metaphors speaking to Elizabeth's guilt, or a straightforward narrative of the beats of Mary's life. Despite some striking duets (particularly Rizzio and Darnley's sensual tussling) the real intrigue takes place when Öfverholm is on stage, dancing like a ghost through her past. In the end the more psychologically interesting queen here isn't Mary at all, but Elizabeth. LUCY RIBCHESTER
Daily Mirror
20 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Parents with toddlers can visit Alton Towers all year for less than price of a day ticket
From half price day tickets to an entire year of fun, little ones cost less with this limited time deal Alton Towers is offering a deal that allows parents with younger children to enjoy the park for less. As part of the deal, each adult can snap up an annual pass for less than the price of the single £68 entry fee ticket that visitors would pay if they purchased tickets on the gate. Home to CBeebies Land, the theme park offers a wonderful day out for toddlers. The colourful area is full of themed rides, interactive play zones and live shows inspired by popular children's TV characters including Postman Pat, Octonauts and In The Night Garden. To make fun more affordable, one child and accompanying adult can enjoy entry into Alton Towers Resort on off-peak days with an Annual Parent and Toddler Pass for £59. Anyone planning just a single visit can also save with a One Day Parent and Toddler Pass reduced from £59 to £29. Scottish brand has shoppers 'stop using shower gel' for natural alternative Next is selling beauty box with £90 worth of makeup, skincare and more for £20 Each pass is valid for one toddler (90cm to 5 years) and one accompanying parent or guardian. Although these passes aren't valid on weekends or during school holidays, they do offer a way to enjoy the park without worrying about bigger crowds. Additional toddlers are also welcome and charged at just an extra £5 per visit. Perfect for even the youngest of visitors, many rides have no height restrictions including the gentle In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride, the whimsical Bugbie Go Round carousel, Postman Pat Parcel Post, the classic Royal Carousel and the relaxing Skyride with panoramic views of the park. For toddlers over 90cm, there are additional attractions including the Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Ride, the Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure, Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop, the swinging Heave Ho pirate ship and the interactive water-based Battle Galleons ride. Beyond the rides, CBeebies Land offers live shows and interactive play experiences, including Big Fun Showtime, Hey Duggee's Big Adventure Badge, the Something Special Sensory Garden, JoJo & Gran Gran at Home, and Andy's Adventure Dinosaur Dig, giving toddlers plenty of opportunities to engage, explore and learn. These passes can be purchased online via the Alton Towers website. However, shoppers should note that the Seasonal Pass does not cover certain dates, such as the August Bank Holiday weekend and Halloween festivities. For those who fancy something a little different, Wowcher's Theme Park Breaks could be the perfect choice. They're currently promoting a Gulliver's Valley Resort Stay and Theme Park Entry deal starting at £139, with options available during school holidays for a family of four looking for an exciting break. If your family is keen on outdoor adventures, consider a National Trust Family Membership starting at £103 annually. Alton Towers has been praised as 'magical' by visitors on TripAdvisor. One thrilled guest gushed: "Amazing. I have no words. If you want to have a fun day with family or friends or just on your own. Alton Towers is the place. It's a must!" Another satisfied visitor chimed in: "What a fantastic day out with the family! Not been there in years but we have had the most fantastic time at the theme park. Clean and today the kids absolutely had the most wonderful time on all the rides." However, not everyone was as impressed. One disgruntled visitor remarked: "As expected, when you go to a theme park they are very long queues. What you don't expect is no seating on a two hour queue. Waiting is not a problem, standing for two hours for one ride with no chance to sit down and rest your legs and back, really is!" The £59 Parent and Toddler Pass also includes up to 10% off in retail shop and up to 20% off food & beverage.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Maggie Mae's instructor to lead Paisley flash mob next month
Maggie Stevenson, crowned Scottish Line Dance Instructor of the Year 2025, will lead the event on September 6 from noon to 1pm. The flash mob will take place outside Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Abbey as part of Renfrewshire Doors Open Day. Maggie, who runs Maggie's Line Dance Class and Maggie's Rock'n'Rodeo, is holding the event following the success of her previous flash mob in Glasgow city centre. The event is open to everyone, regardless of age or line dancing experience.
