Outlander's Dougal star issued 'complicated' advice to Blood of My Blood successor
Outlander: Blood of My Blood star Sam Retford has opened up about taking on the iconic role of Dougal MacKenzie
Outlander: Blood of My Blood star Sam Retford was given some sage advice from original Dougal MacKenzie actor Graham McTavish when he joined the new spin-off.
The forthcoming prequel on Starz will delve into the captivating love stories of Claire (portrayed by Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser's (Sam Heughan) parents.
Spanning two separate timelines, the 10-episode drama follows Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) in 18th Century Scotland and Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine) set against the backdrop of WWI.
In addition to expanding the narratives of these two iconic couples, Blood of My Blood will also showcase some familiar faces from Jamie's lineage.
Among them is English-Australian actor Retford, stepping into the beloved role of Dougal, previously played by Scottish actor McTavish, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
"It's very easy to play Dougal because you can kind of just do whatever comes into your head," the newcomer confessed at the recent Outlander and Blood of My Blood: The Gathering panel.
"Everyone else has to exercise temperance when someone frustrates them in a scene, whereas Dougal would either get up and leave or, I don't know, pull a knife out."
Despite his performance coming naturally to Retford, he received some vital words of warning from his predecessor about portraying Jamie's formidable uncle.
"Graham gave me a lovely piece of advice which was that Dougal is entirely complicated in everything he does and everything's always for a reason," he revealed.
"I think, to develop a character that eventually becomes so passionate about his country and freedom, so much so that it compromises his own self, despite on the surface looking inherently selfish, I think he becomes the exact opposite."
Dougal became a pivotal figure in build-up to the Battle of Culloden, where the patriotic Jacobites clashed with the British in an attempt to reinstate the Stuart monarchy.
Over 1,000 Highlanders were killed or injured, including Dougal himself in Outlander's second season finale when he mistakenly thinks Claire and Jamie are planning to assassinate Charles Stuart (Andrew Gower).
After a heated confrontation, Jamie is compelled to kill his uncle, stabbing Dougal in the throat. He dies choking on his own blood in Jamie's arms.
While Dougal recently made an unexpected return earlier in his life during Outlander's seventh season, fans will undoubtedly be touched once they encounter him as a younger man.
"Young Dougal is someone who I've always felt emotional when reading him on the page because you almost feel sorry for him not being able to see the bigger picture," Retford continued.
"But that's something that's always been super interesting and I get to punch loads of people so it's pretty good fun!"
In addition to the revealing new prequel, Outlander enthusiasts also have another instalment of the flagship drama to anticipate.
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