Wow, A lot has happened since my last OutlanderBTS What’s New on July 10th.
The Season 3 Official Trailer was released, along with some other featurettes…
Sam and girlfriend MacKenzie Mauzy enjoyed a Formula 1 race in Hungary on Sunday, July 30th as guests of Sahara Force India, Formula One Team.
In a recently released interview with Daily Mail, Sam said that a starstruck moment for him was meeting Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton on a flight to Los Angeles last year, and that he asked for a selfie. We know Sam is a fan of fast cars, so this formula one event was probably pretty special and fun.
This exchange happened later on Twitter…
Good luck @ForceIndiaF1 and thank you for the incredible experience! #HungarainGP #NeedAScottishDriver ? pic.twitter.com/O9ZDI84j54
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) July 30, 2017
Welcome to the team, @SamHeughan! #SFIFamily https://t.co/a5T4SxQCqd
— BWT Racing Point F1 Team (@RacingPointF1) July 30, 2017
Haha thanks! Looking strong in Pink! Ready to race anytime.. ???? https://t.co/xQYnmlrMqK
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) July 30, 2017
Some other highlights from the Daily Mail interview with Sam…
Guilty pleasure? A lazy weekend in bed watching box sets, especially anything American and sci-fi. I recently got through Netflix’s Stranger Things.
Biggest bugbear? People littering the natural environment. Hiking is a great passion of mine and I find myself picking up empty bottles.
And your worst? The same. Being stubborn doesn’t always help.
Dream dinner–party guests? Elon Musk, who is fascinating and inspiring, the tennis player Martina Hingis, who I was obsessed with as a youngster, Michelle Obama and the astronaut Tim Peake.
Advice to teenage self? Just relax.
Cat or dog? I’m wholeheartedly a cat person, although it’s not practical for me to have one at the moment. When I was growing up, we had cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, goats, chickens – a whole menagerie.
Big break? Appearing in a play called Outlying Islands at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 2002, my first job after leaving drama school.
Top of your bucket list? To go to base camp on Mount Everest and go hiking in Nepal or Tibet.
Secret skill I can juggle pretty well – with balls, clubs and, if pushed, knives.
Philosophy? Trust your gut instinct.
Last film that made you cry? The Light Between Oceans, which is extremely moving and well-acted.
Biggest regret? Not playing rugby for Scotland.
Biggest fear? Getting the sack.
Celebrity crush? Sigourney Weaver in Ghostbusters.
For the full interview: Daily Mail with Sam Heughan
San Diego Comic Con happened over the July 21 weekend, and those lucky dogs who were there got to see a sneak preview of Episode 301, as well as panels with the cast and crew, photos, and autographs. I was not able to attend this one due to a family vacation; It looks like everyone had a great time.
I’ll take this opportunity to say that even though I have a BTS website, my personal approach to Season 3 is: I’ve waited this long, so why not be completely surprised by what the team has created for S3? I know I’m in the minority.
I will cover events and interviews leading up to the premiere, but OutlanderBTS.com will be light on show spoilers from now until Sept 10th. There are lots of sources for photos and plot line information, but that won’t be a focus here. Having said that, here is the full panel from Comic Con, which includes some light spoilers…
Cute tweet from Richard Rankin before his first major Comic Con…
The #SDCC2017 #Outlander panel is today and the anticipation…we canna even! pic.twitter.com/4kH3lDcj6v
— Outlander (@Outlander_STARZ) July 21, 2017
Please Lord, help me stop talking when I've made my point. Help me not sit there staring blankly into space in search of a good answer amen https://t.co/DFZRABsgAW
— Richard Rankin (@RikRankin) July 21, 2017
and Diana’s reply…
Sit next to me. I'll kick you in the shin if you talk too much. You're on your own for the good answers, though… https://t.co/VggboKgYTw
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) July 21, 2017
8 mins ..!!!! @Outlander_STARZ #comicon2017 pic.twitter.com/9c1ncuPNHm
— Caitríona Balfe (@caitrionambalfe) July 21, 2017
Here they are ready to sign…
Second year in a row signing next to this crazy lass! @caitrionambalfe #ProSigner @Outlander_STARZ pic.twitter.com/vANoAg2Gmf
— Maril Davis (@TallShipProds) July 22, 2017
The SDCC booth featured a print shop, including some props and set pieces from the show. Check out this amazing Print Shop sign with a question answered below by Production Designer Jon Gary Steele…
Probably took Rachel (our sculptor/prop builder) a couple weeks to build because she would be working on many diff things at the same time.
— JON GARY STEELE (@jongarysteele) July 23, 2017
Richard and Sam…
and the hubbies steal Cait’s phone for a selfie…
Some cheeky pups stole my phone !!! @SamHeughan @TobiasMenzies pic.twitter.com/ATx7ms3NLr
— Caitríona Balfe (@caitrionambalfe) July 24, 2017
Decked out for the EW wrap party…
Photo: FarFarAwaySite
Wrapped up comic con tour at the @EW party last night-apparently I can now shoot lasers out of my shoulder @caitrionambalfe @grahammctavish pic.twitter.com/iq9RtgqWRn
— Maril Davis (@TallShipProds) July 23, 2017
On July 28, the same crew, minus Sam and Diana, were on hand for the Summer TCA2017 (Television Critics Association) tour in LA. Sam participated via Satellite.
Above TCA2017 photos: FarFarAwaySite
Bree and Rog are pretty darn cute…
#finishline #jobdone pic.twitter.com/I6isazA9Fc
— Richard Rankin (@RikRankin) July 29, 2017
Loved getting to spend more time with @SkeltonSophie … V proud mom !!!! pic.twitter.com/3qtSEkm2Q0
— Caitríona Balfe (@caitrionambalfe) July 29, 2017
A new trailer was released at TCA2017… (spoilers)
And this trailer was released the week before…
A love lost, but never forgotten. See what the future holds for Claire and Jamie when #Outlander returns September 10 on @STARZ. pic.twitter.com/5sdGXgZbk9
— Outlander (@Outlander_STARZ) July 18, 2017
If you’d like to see all of the photos leading up to the new Season, Entertainment Weekly has collected them here… (spoilers)
We've gathered every single photo released from season 3 of #Outlander (so far) in one convenient place: https://t.co/2AB4ym3QWB
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) July 16, 2017
Big news, Diana became a grandmother! Congrats to Diana and her family on their wonderful new addition to the family…
The family is thrilled and delighted to announce the safe birth of a lovely baby boy. 9 lbs, 2 oz, w/ good lungs, and we love him dearly.❤️
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) July 19, 2017
(I can only hope to be half as hot and amazing as this woman when I earn the title of Grandma!)
Ron did an interview with PopWrapped in June, and here is an interesting excerpt by Ron on fandoms:
RDM: I have a very benign view of fandom. Fandom, to me, is predicated on love: these are people who love the show and the characters for whatever reason, and so they are expressing that love in different ways whether it is dressing up in costumes or writing their own stories or arguing whether this is a good episode or not.
Some of them express their love in negative ways. Some of my favorite reviews of things I’ve written start out: “I’ve watched this episode four times and it gets worse every time I watch it.” That’s someone who loves the show. You don’t watch something four times if you actually hate it. You’re just expressing [love] in a sort of weird, backwards kind of way. I tend to accept fans as that: they all love it, I am grateful that they are there, and I used to be a fan before I was a professional writer so I have a great empathy and memory of what it was to do that. I know [fans] like to understand how things are done and why decisions are made so I always try to have a dialogue with fandom.
I think that you get into a dangerous area if you start listening to fandom because it is not a democracy, and we are not going to vote on what the best scene is here or where this show should go. The fact that some people don’t like a certain character that I like, I just don’t care because I really do write the shows for myself and what I think is good. I have to have my own internal voice that is telling me “this is good” or “this is bad” and I really hope that you agree.
For the full interview… Ron D Moore PopWrapped Interveiw
Here is a comment he recently made on the longevity of the series (yaaaaaay) (thank you Wanda)
Ron Moore says he can see #Outlander having potential to run for many seasons as long as #DianaGabaldon keeps writing her Amazing books pic.twitter.com/la7QnrjdrC
— Wanda Serrano (@wanda_211) July 24, 2017
OutlanderBTS.com released Part 1 of (my) interview with Steven Cree. Here is an excerpt…
I expect to release Part 2 later this week; for the full Part 1 interview, CLICK HERE
Here’s a preview of the August Men’s Health @MensHealthZA shoot with Sam…
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) July 23, 2017
and Sam is in a new Barbour ad…
Introducing the #BarbourWayOfLife – what's yours? Discover: https://t.co/vcVH8lEGmT pic.twitter.com/oJ03hhP6Jw
— barbour (@Barbour) July 18, 2017
There were some Q&A’s leading up to SDCC; I’ll summarize the highlights below…
Matt Roberts did not attend SDCC, and is basically up to his ears in doing post production for Season 3, and writing, scouting, casting, etc. for Season 4.
Hi Matt, How is it going for you, working on two seasons at once, doing post for 3 and writing etc for 4? #AskMatt
— Courtney Williams OutlanderBTS (@Courtilini14) July 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/TheMattBRoberts/status/888542294621552641
When asked how long we’ll have to wait before Jamie and Claire are reunited in S3, he says we will feel their pain and longing first. He’ll be watching the S3 premiere from his flat in Glasgow, and the character he most resembles from Outlander is Bouton ?. He’s looking for a publisher for his coffee table book of photos, and he has five(!) copies of Drums of Autumn from which he’s working right now. He’s very proud of the Print Shop episode (which he wrote). He wrote two episodes in Season 3, and co-wrote a third with Toni. Ron wrote the season opener (which is great news, as he wrote the S2 opener too – phenomenal IMO).
Sam did a Q&A on his way to San Diego. He says Dalwhinnie (my personal favorite) was the first malt he ever tasted. He likes pineapple pizza, and recently had his first Goulash (in Hungary, I assume). He gave a shout out to his South African fans, saying “Yebo!! Howzit! I miss SA!” He was asked for his most awkward moment in South Africa, to which he answered “meeting a rogue baboon;” what he liked most in SA was “the food/wine/people/landscape.”
When asked what someone should be sure to see on a visit to Scotland, he answered “The islands… the highlands… Edinburgh and the inside of a Scottish pub.” He likes Spanish tortilla, and his favorite way to relax after filming is: “I like cooking! Binge watching and whisky..” He just watched Episode 302 and says “Cait and Tobias, in fact whole cast are amazing!!” Tina K asked if he’s ever tried orienteering,which she thinks he would love (I have to agree). He received a q about Steven Cree’s evil twin brother, Simon Cree ?…
@SamHeughan Where's simon cree? Will he be at the con? #He'sANsughtyOne #AskSam
— Barbara Scott (@Barran57) July 20, 2017
Ah @MrStevenCree evil twin brother? https://t.co/YyBcDt4KKj
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) July 20, 2017
When asked about his current project, he said it’s going “very well thank you!! Kate and Mila are SO funny!! The action is amazing and @SusannaFogel leading the way!” On missing Cait…
@SamHeughan
How has it been filming with a different female lead, given the fact you spend so much time with @caitrionambalfe #AskSam ????— Angela ???????????????????? (@Angela1303) July 20, 2017
Hi Angela! It's different, production works same way but I have to say I miss Cait and the crew, nice to make new friends though! https://t.co/0c1oY6F6ob
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) July 20, 2017
I have to fly (literally!) see you in San Diego! pic.twitter.com/qq8FSEmbCi
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) July 20, 2017
Caitriona also did a Q&A while en route, and here are the highlights…
When asked what to do about a crisp (potato chip) addiction: “I fear I’m going to turn into a crisp soon, Cait. Will I ever get over this addiction?” Her answer was, “No. Just lean into it ….then put yourself between two slices of bread and make yourself the best crisp sandwich ever.” ? When asked for advice by a kid in her last year of high school, Caitriona said “Dig deep. Just 9 months then … Freeeeeeedom. !!!”
She had a very nice compliment for Sam…
@caitrionambalfe since you have seen 3 eps what do you think of Sam's story since you weren't there filming with him at the time?
— Patti Rinehart (@patti_rinehart) July 20, 2017
It is and he is heartbreakingly AWESOME @SamHeughan https://t.co/2bMBpLiNtN
— Caitríona Balfe (@caitrionambalfe) July 20, 2017
Cait’s current favorite Frida Kahlo painting is her self portrait with monkeys.
Zadie Smith and Joan Didion are current favorite authors, and her favorite Irish song is Sinead O Connor singing “She moved through the fair.”
When asked if Steven Cree is really as silly as he seems, she said “Believe it or not, I think he censors himself on twitter .. right @MrStevenCree ???” Naughty Simon Cree showed up with a question, in fact:
Hi @caitrionambalfe , since Ed Sheeran appeared in GOT, do you think it's possible Andy Murray could appear in Outlander?Ian's cousin maybe?
— Steven Cree (@MrStevenCree) July 20, 2017
In case you don’t know, Andy Murray is a Scottish tennis player currently ranked number 1 in the world in men’s singles, and outspoken against casual sexism…
https://twitter.com/_JamieMac_/status/885189154128224257
Caitriona tried liking a tweet with her nose, but it didn’t work. Her friends inspire her daily, and her dream festival lineup would be: Patti Smith, Radiohead, Savages, LCD sound system, Warpaint, Young Fathers, Milk and all their friends. Her favorite pizza: Sour dough margarita with burrata lots of basil and maybe some extra garlic. Stephanie asked how it is working with Sophie…
@caitrionambalfe How was working @SkeltonSophie ? Bonding mom/daughter style?
— Stephanie Bryant (@twingles321) July 20, 2017
She's the BEST !! Good Northern Lass … smart as a whip and cute as a button @SkeltonSophie https://t.co/khsuLqWu1C
— Caitríona Balfe (@caitrionambalfe) July 20, 2017
When asked if there is a medical consultant on the show, Cait said…
“No. They just let me go for it. Operated on a few extras. Apparently they are all fine … now … #jusssstkidding #hernameisClairetoot (wait, is this another Claire?? Besides herbalist Claire MacKay?)
Cait’s coffee drink of choice is Black Americano.
Getting caffeinated…. #comiconprep #comicon2017 #Outlander pic.twitter.com/t9hZiAjFi9
— Caitríona Balfe (@caitrionambalfe) July 20, 2017
Her dream Broadway role is anything Pinter, and Cait would like to visit Montana (great choice!). She’s seen 3 episodes from Season 3, and thinks we’ll be very happy. Hair and makeup took longer than costumes for Cait in S3, and her favorite Claire line is: “I’m not the meek and obedient type #icanrelate.” There won’t be a rematch with Sam in tennis, but she had a blast at ECCC and would do it again. She loves all the twists and turns in S3, and when asked about Claire and Frank’s swanky pad…
How did Frank and Claire afford such a nice house in Boston. I imagined it to be more modest ???? – hey I'm loving it though! ????
— ???????????? ???????? (@Maionegg) July 20, 2017
1.He's a very wealthy professor ..? 2.Its in a bad part of town..? 3. @jongarysteele just can't help making things that look stunning???? https://t.co/CdpjXMLJbY
— Caitríona Balfe (@caitrionambalfe) July 20, 2017
(I think it’s number 3)
When asked to use one word to describe John Bell, she chose “delicious” ? (Auntie Claire!). Maternity wear is not all that in the 18th or the 20th centuries, and Cait’s favorite things about France are: “Okay ready ….the museums, the food, the wine, the countryside, the weather, the sea, the people, the language, my friends, the music …” And finally, the scene she is most excited for us to see is (drum roll…) ? Soup!
Here’s an exciting announcement for our Aussies…
Aussies, Outlander S2 will be airing on free to air @SBS starting 27th July Thursday 10.40pm. If you missed it or need a rewatch. Great show pic.twitter.com/mz9GXHcrVx
— Katrina (@Kattitude3) July 18, 2017
Grant O’Rourke not only won an acting award this month… (Congrats Grant!)
Delighted to have won a Sunday Herald #cultureaward. Best actor (theatre). Thanks @PlayPiePint pic.twitter.com/74V3Q8QgZO
— Grant O'Rourke (@GrantORourke) July 13, 2017
He also educated hundreds about the true name for ladybugs in addition to this exciting story…
The majestic ladybird embarks on its arduous journey across the plains of a harrowingly coloured bus seat. pic.twitter.com/IS2HnQ48od
— Grant O'Rourke (@GrantORourke) July 12, 2017
New recent casting announcements include Sam Hoare, who is playing Lord John Grey’s brother Hal…
and Gemma Fray who will play Young Brianna Randall in S3.
Coloradans (including myself) look forward to time with Gaelic consultant Àdhamh Ò Broin coming up this weekend… get your tickets now.
Adhamh O Broin is coming to Colorado @Courtilini14 @OutlanderMed @ClarenceFraser @Hbenjamin27 @Gaeliconsultant https://t.co/92ZO66P6f5
— Shannon Sutton (@ColoGaelic) July 28, 2017
And… that’s a wrap ?
Love your updates, so detailed and interesting.
Thank you Alison, I’m so glad ?
If you are in the *** LaLaLa I Can’t Hear You *** world (complete with hands covering ears) of not wanting to have S3 spoiled too much, I’m in that minority, too! 🙂
Yep that’s me. We’ve waited sooo long, I want to see the whole thing as new, vs when you watch a movie and you’ve already seen the whole thing in the trailers!! ?
BTS is the best! Thanks Courtney!
What a nice compliment, thank you Linda. Glad you are enjoying! xo