#Ask Richard Rankin Q&A + Sam Banter, After Episode 410

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Photo: Richard Rankin after Jamie pummeled him in Episode 409. Source: Sam Heughan, Instagram

Richard answered fan questions on Twitter Tuesday from New Orleans, where he, Diana, Sophie, and Lotte participated in Wizard World this past weekend. Graham was scheduled to be there, but had to cancel. Here are the highlights!   

Luiza: When will roger and bree stop fighting????? ????
Richard: When will night stop becoming day…

Outlander Obsessed: I think you’re doing a fantastic job playing Roger, but if there was another character in the show that you could play, who would it be?
Richard: Thank you. That’s very kind. Probably Steven Bonnet.

Anna: Okey, let’s give it a try… What’s the most difficult thing about playing Roger???
Richard: Being so nice all the time.

Ana: Hi RR, do you love or hate Sam Heughan when he posts things like this? (See below!)


Richard: You can’t beat a good bit of banter! It’s always well intended fun. So… I mean… Yeah,. I hate Sam Heughan for posting this ?

Angela: Where were you and what were the first words you said when you learned you had been cast as Roger Mac?
Richard: I was filming Thirteen in Bristol, I believe. And I think after my agent called me to let me know, I fell asleep.

Cynthia: Roger has changed a lot since he began pursuing Brianna at the festival. Were there personal experiences you channeled to grow the character and if so, what were they?
Richard: Not so much personal experiences but this transition of Roger’s character has been something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time and have had a good deal of time to prepare for it.

Alicia: did Sam Heughan accidentally make any contact with your face during filming of rogers beating?
Richard: There was the occasional glancing blow but Sam is a pro. Went pretty smoothly.

Niki: Can you cry easily on cue? I just saw your Silent Witness, and that was quite something!
Richard: Depends on the scene and the writing. ?

Camilla: Were there a moment in s4 where you thought:” What the hell am I doing”? As to all the hassles poor Roger / poor Rik had to go through?
Richard: I very much enjoyed my time on Season 4. I love my job. Roger, however… I asked that question many times of him from the moment he decided to be a hero. And with pretty much everything else he undertook after that.
 
Gabbi: Do you have difficulty getting into character?
Richard: I have more difficulty with not being in character.
 
Ali: When you are given a truly iconic line of dialogue (I’ll have you all, feel my heart, etc…), does it change your approach/prep for the scene? (You deliver them brilliantly, every time).
Richard: I try not to let it. It’s not helpful and will only lead to you overpaying a moment that is moment like any other.
 
Fiona: Since Bianca doesn’t like when you’re gone for extended periods, how does she feel about you riding other horses? 
 
Richard: She’ll usually try and throw me off a couple of times. On occasion, successfully.
 
Bianca (below), is Richard’s horse.
 
 
Janet: If Roger knew what he knows now, would he change what he took back with him when he went through the stones initially?
Richard: Maybe. There’s only so much you’d want to be caught with without raising suspicion though.
 
Linda: Many fans have mixed feelings about your character. What do you hope they take away from your portrayal of Roger so far?
Richard: I think they have mixed feelings about Roger because he’s human and has his flaws and sometimes his approach can be less than optimal but his heart is always in the right place and in spite of his stubborn pride, he has unwavering integrity. A truly good man.
 
Michelle: What item from Rogers own time do you think he wishes he had with him after he traveled through the stones?
Richard: I was always curious why Roger didn’t take penicillin with him. Especially after commending Claire on taking it. Wasn’t thinking clearly, perhaps. But probably something along those lines.
 
Inbal: Was it different to portray Roger in Brianna’s dream compared to Roger in other scenes? How does the acting change when your character is within another character’s dream?
Richard: Well we didn’t do too much of that but, yes, it was a Roger removed from reality obviously or how we normally know him. It was something we were quite aware of and playing on the day.
 
Jennifer: This is a serious question. How does one prepare for a love scene? No joke, I am actually curious, being such a shy person. Hope that’s ok….?
Richard: I’m loving that people have to differentiate serious questions. Most love scenes will start with some sort of rehearsal ahead of time and a chat with the director and your co-star so that everyone is comfortable and feels safe in what they’re doing.
 
Kathy: What real life event do you summon up to help you focus on a very emotional scene?
Richard: I try to keep it within the realm of the character and what he’s personally going through. There are diminishing returns on using personal experiences or ’emotional recall.’ 
 
KAna: How much time did you spend in makeup each day after Roger’s beating? The progression of your makeup from the end of Wilmington & through The Deep Hearts Core was great.
Richard: I was with makeup for up to 2 hours a day. So, no great hardship. People have spent a heck of a lot longer in the makeup chair.
 
Mauricette: You had really bloodshot eyes in the part when you are prisoners of the Indians. How did the make-up team do that?
Richard: For part of the journey with the Mohawk and immediately after the beating, I had been fitted with a red contact lens. Our make up team did a wonderful job on the rest of it too and keeping track of the progression of the wounds.
 
Cheryl: Your face ever looked that bad before?
Richard: I’m from Glasgow. My face is like that every third Friday.
 
Michelle: What was Sam’s first reaction to your fight scene makeup?
Richard: I can’t wait to make up. Its going to be hot.
 
Valerie: How long did you have to wear the clothes that you went through the stones in, and did you like wearing them?
Richard: I didn’t mind wearing them. Plus… I always knew what costume I was getting into on any given day ?. That particular costume was around for a long time. There’s a story behind it. And it was appropriate.
 
Tobias’ Tribe: Did you have a ceremonial burning of the culottes after filming wrapped?
Richard: No… They’re still lurking around somewhere. ?
 
Susan: Can you BELIEVE that wee Roger has the SAME culottes? I was flabbergasted that he and Ken share the same taste in men’s wear! It was so kind of Ken to let him borrow them for the trip, right?
 
Richard: I love it. So much
 
Robin: if it were you (instead of Roger Mac) at those standing stones, after escaping the Mohawk, would you go through or stay to find the woman you loved???
Richard: I want to be romantic and say I’d stay and find the woman I loved. But… Shit… I’m being chased through country I don’t know by Mohawk. Armed Mohawk. Who are in a bad mood with me. I’m going back through the stones.
 
Beth: Hi! Do you have a particular ritual before filming a difficult scene and/or one to help you decompress afterwards?
Richard: Yup. Coffee before. Coffee after to decompress.
 
Ellen: Do you have the kind of relationship with Diana as the other hot Scot? Do you get information from her that helps you create your own character arc?
Richard: Diana has been so generous in lending her ear whenever I’ve needed it. A great support and really helps fill in any blanks or address any concerns in staying true to the character she has written. I’m always grateful.
 
Teresa: Is Sam giving you a hard time about anything in particular you’d care to share?
Richard: He often gives me a hard time for being _slightly_ more handsome than him. But I know there’s love there, right ?
 
 
Penny: Will Roger be able to get his revenge on Jamie?? Would he even want to?
Richard: I think there’s a fire and a temper on Roger that we’re only really starting to see. But who knows?! Keep watching.
 
Angie: It’s been an ‘interesting’ S4 so far for Roger what has been your favourite scene/s & toughest scene/s to film so far & why? Thank you for taking time to interact with fans!
Richard: Thoughest scene, practically, was put by the stones as it was abnormally cold that day. One of the toughest to play was Bonnet throwing the little girl off the back of the ship. That was quite draining. I can’t say that I have a favourite. The finale is epic!
 
Rank & File: Besides Brianna, are there any other reasons Roger Mac has for staying in the 18th century?
Richard: Well yeah. He’s a Historian who has found himself at a particularly prominent juncture in American History. At the same time, he’s not going to hang around for very long. I think he’s aware that he’s very much not of that time.
 
Amita: How many takes for you to film the fall from S4E10. Did it hurt your wrist? It looks pretty really. Thanks Rik.
Richard: A few! And, yes, my wrists were raw by the end of it. Those ropes are not very forgiving.
 
Karenjean: Can Roger ever forgive Jamie? (Actually, at this point, did he even know who Jamie was and why he beat Roger so savagely?)
Richard: Time is a great healer and all that. No. I don’t think at this point he had the time to process any of what was going on and can’t yet fathom why it happened… But he’ll come to his own conclusions, I’m sure.
 
Katrina: Do you think Roger Mac should actually touch that stone? Would you?
Richard: No. Yes.
 
Elisha: If they were to flip the script and have actors take opposite sex roles on Outlander, who would you like to play?
Richard: I’d give Brianna a go.
 
Vanina: Are you ready for season 5?. (Not an easy one for Roger, for sure!)
Richard: Yes!! Bring it on!!! (though I’m not sure I’ve _technically_ been invited back yet?) ?
 
Courtney (yes, me ?): I think Roger dies in S4 though ?
Richard: Ah, crap. Forgot about that. 
 
Connie Mac: Are you able to give input to the writers if you think Roger wouldn’t say or do what they wrote?
Richard: Oh I give input all the time to which Matt Roberts usually replies ‘Noted’.
 
Lisa: I believe Roger is under-appreciated by women of today. He has strong moral character and stands up for what he believes in, yet he is just a man. Your performance is spot on!
Richard: Many thanks. I completely agree.
 
Fírinne: Why are you so good in everything you do? Does, what seems to be, your intrinsic playful nature help or hinder? Loved you in ‘Thirteen’ btw…a first encounter.
Richard: Well that’s very kind of you to say! I think being playful and open in a scene keeps you free to being spontaneous and organic in a scene. Open to suggestion and the influence of your scene partner(s). 
 
Teresa: What do you do in between sets to pass the time?
Richard: Annoy Sophie Skelton or Matt Roberts or Maril Davis, or anyone else in close proximity. They really enjoy it.
 
Melanie: As a high school teacher, I am curious what your favorite subject in school was.
Richard: Science, English and Geography were three of my strongest subjects and I still take a lot of interest them.
 
Ness: 1. Would you like me to arrange an ultra luxe private holiday at some of the most stunning luxury lodges in Western Australia?  2. Can you please bring Sam with you in your suitcase?
Richard: 1. Yes. 2. They don’t make suitcases that big or people big enough to carry them.
 
Richard is a Star Wars vs Star Trek guy, and he says no more singing for Roger this season (Roger’s not feeling too chirpy at the moment!). As for stunts in 410, he did as much as they would let him, but the stunt team did the “heavy lifting.” Richard’s favorite movie is Godfather, Parts 1 & 2, and he would play Tom Hagen if he could (played by Robert Duvall in the films). If acting hadn’t panned out, Richard would have worked as a cinematographer/ director of photography.
 
Molly: What is one of your fave hobbies?
Richard: My new favourite hobby is sitting in the middle of the French Quarter in NOLA, listening to a bit of saxophone doing a twitter Q&A.
 

Richard: I think that was more out of necessity than friendship. Love the artwork! ?
 
BTS, Episode 410, Source: Starz
 
Lauren: Australian here… subjectively what would you say are the best accents in the world, OTHER than Scottish (which we know is #1)
Richard: That’s an interesting question… I love a southern US accent. East Coast US accent. Australian. South African. Really loved listening to the Mohawk dialect on set. Wonderful language. Its a toughie… These are but a few of many.
MOJ: Silly question perhaps but, how are you enjoying the ride so far?  It’s been great watching it from here.
Richard: Not a silly question at all! It’s been incredible and keeps getting better. The fans of our show are second to none.
 
Amanda: Can you please clear up this “cake in the face” scandal from Wizard World? People are losing their shit over it and it’s starting to sound like a bigger deal than Roger being sold to the Mohawks.
Richard: Someone put cake in my face. They thought it was funny. Turned out it wasn’t all that funny. End of story. No need to fan the flames. ?’Fan’ the flames. It’s really not that big a deal and Im always having a laugh at my booth so… It wasn’t malicious.
 
That’s a wrap! Hope everyone is doing great xo
 

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2 comments on “#Ask Richard Rankin Q&A + Sam Banter, After Episode 410”

  1. I really learned a lot about Ric in this interview. Interesting, about his acting approach, bantering with Sam, experiences in S 4. Thanks, Ric Rankin and please eat some gumbo and beneigts for me while in NOLA. Be careful now, you hear, Y’all come back (with my Texas accent).

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  2. Loved the banter between Sam and Richard. Lots of fun. Poor Roger is going through quite a transformation and not the easy way. Poor fellow torn between wanting to go through the Stones, or wanting to stay – the look on his face was heartbreaking. He has gone through alot, and then has to make a tough decision.

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