Outlander: Graham McTavish discusses his return to the show
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Starz recently announced a whole bevy of cast members for Outlander season seven, including the return of Lotte Verbeek as Geillis Duncan, Layla Burns as Joan McKimmie, Andrew Whipp as Brian Fraser, Nell Hudson as Laoghaire Fraser, and Steven Cree as Ian Murray. Graham McTavish is also reprising his role as clan chieftain Dougal MacKenzie, however, there will be a new actor taking on the role of Buck MacKenzie in his stead.
Why has Graham McTavish been replaced as Buck MacKenzie?
Eagled-eyed Outlander fans will know McTavish made a cameo as Dougal’s son Buck in season five, who nearly had Roger MacKenzie (played by Richard Rankin) killed after the 20th century Oxford historian was hanged.
Buck was Dougal’s illegitimate son with Geillis after the pair had an affair and she used her pregnancy to escape being burned at the stake.
Irish star Diarmaid Murtagh is going to be portraying Buck going forward after his casting was announced.
Although there’s been no official reason why McTavish won’t be taking on the double role of Buck and Dougal, there could be a number of possibilities.
One of these might be conflicting schedules considering McTavish is working on a multitude of other projects including The Witcher, House of the Dragon, Castlevania andThe Brothers Darwin as well as films Perfidious and The Vicar’s Wife.
Therefore, another actor with more availability may have been brought in to play Buck, who is going to be having a bigger role to play in season seven which adapts material from Diana Gabaldon’s seventh Outlander novel An Echo in the Bone.
Additionally, McTavish’s role in season five as Buck was more of an Easter Egg cameo and gave the actor a chance to return to the show rather than being a fully-fledged role.
Speaking about playing Buck in a behind-the-scenes video from season five, McTavish said: “It would be great if there was a moment where the audience, just for a moment, go, ‘Who’s that? Ah yeah.’
“I get to come back and actually be younger, be in the show with people that I’ve worked with before and people I’ve never worked with before.”
He added: “So this is my chance to be with Richard [Rankin], who I get to, well, beat up.”
From season seven, it looks like the dearly departed Dougal will be making a return in a flashback.
New Buck actor Murtagh has most recently starred in the new series of BBC thriller Bloodlands.
Some of his other credits include Vikings, Devils, The One, Young Wallander on Netflix and Sons of Liberty.
Following the announcement, Murtagh posted on Twitter to his 2,000 followers: “So thrilled and delighted to join the incredible @Outlander_STARZ team @STARZ for Season 7! #outlander.”
Outlander fans have been ecstatic with Murtagh’s casting with many welcoming him to the clan with one fan Bonnie Teut posting: “So excited for you! Have been following your work since Vikings! Welcome to the Outlander family!”
Another fan called Sorcha posted: “It’s so great to have you in for Season 7. Can’t wait to see you on action. Welcome to the clan!”
Fan account Outlander Online said: “Welcome to the clan!!! Excited to have you apart of the #Outlander Family!!! [sic]”
“Can’t wait to see you bring Buck to life, he’s a whole lot of everything!! #Outlander,” said Mary E. Anderson.
Laura tweeted: “Can’t wait for S7!! Congratulations and welcome.”
Bev added: “I really enjoyed reading about your character’s exploits with Roger in @Writer_DG book. Will be fun to see the character fleshed out.”
An account called Duchess said: “Outlander fans are excited to meet you. Prepare yourself to be embraced like no other fandom. You’ll be a great Buck; and we’ll be cheering you on. Congrats, and act your a** off:) xxThe Gang.”
This wouldn’t be the only recasting for Outlander season seven after Kristin Atherton was confirmed to be replacing Laura Donnelly as Jenny Murray, which was also due to the original actress being too busy with other projects to come back to the series.
Donnelly is currently starring in the HBO hit series The Nevers as main character Amalia True and her commitment to the show would mean she wouldn’t be able to appear.
Additionally, cast members have been replaced over the years with older actors portraying grown-up versions of characters.
Some of the other cast members joining season seven include Gloria Obianyo as Mercy Woodcock, Chris Fulton as Rob Cameron, Rob Hallett as Benedict Arnold.
Starz previously confirmed Charles Vandervaart would be playing William Ransom, Izzy Meikle-Small would take on Rachel Hunter, and Joey Phillips as her brother Dr Denzell Hunter.
Outlander season 7 is in production and seasons 1 to 6 are streaming on Lionsgate+ now
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