****Update – Nicola Sturgeon has just announced a new nationwide lockdown law for Scotland today (Jan 4), starting tomorrow (Jan 5), based on rising numbers of coronavirus. Source: itv. On the Scot.gov site (published today, Jan 4), it says that “Film and TV production can continue to take place. All such activity must be done in compliance with industry guidance.” Source: www.gov.scot. So, as long as the production is set up to follow the guidelines set forth, it looks like filming may continue as planned. ****
Season 6 will bring a new Production Designer, no more Jon Gary Steele ☹️. I was pleasantly surprised by the costuming in Season 5, by Trisha Biggar (although it was pointed out in our last OutlanderBTS Zoom party, that the costumes should be dirtier to seem realistic, and I agree!). I think they’ve likely done a great job selecting Gary’s replacement. But 😭.
Paul Donnelly, who plays Ronnie Sinclair, also posted over the weekend about the new year, life, and starting work again this week…
Photo: Starz, Season 5, Outlander
He said “2020!!!! What a year!! It taught me to appreciate the things I have rather than things I wish I had. I made my Outlander debut (which was incredible) I got covid (which is horrendous, I’m still struggling) I made brothers for life in Sam Heughan and Duncan Lacroix and Vincent Moore. Lost my aunt Norah and my amazing uncle billy. Started building my own gym @bxng_glasgow 🥊, got to film in Colombia and work with beautiful people. Was spoiled, loved and looked after by my amazing family… who are my world. 2021 will be a better year though. Get the gym open and get my charity up and running. I can’t wait to get back filming next week and get back to work. I hope you all had a great Hogmanay and that 2021 is great for you. Slainte Mhath.”
I hope this post finds you safe and well. May we be filled with hope and love for the new year. xo
More OutlanderBTS coming at you in the months ahead. Much to look forward to! ‘Til then, catch up on our Seasons 4 and 5 Episode Discussions, see if you’ve missed one of my Interviews, or an excellent Outside Interview, and visit Reader Favorites.
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Scotland along wi the rest of the UK has jist went intae full lock down. Looks like this will be until at least February although March seems mair likely. No unless the hale o the cast, extras et al are in a ‘Covid Bubble’ I’d imagine filming willnae start any time soon – nae travel allowed either.
Ah dinnae ken if anybody has heard if the cast are in a bubble ( this means keeping isolated fae family, friends etc for many weeks, months) Interesting tae see how things are panning out.
Hi Ann 👋🏽 – check out my last update to the post – could change, but for now looks like they may still be able to film.
They must be in a bubble or at least sticking tae strict Covid rules. Soaps are being made in the UK. Despite ‘slight’ o camera wirk ye can tell the actors are socially distancing. Nae touching……….although actors are bringing their partners tae the set tae hae ‘touching’ scenes. They hae tae dae there ain make up as well. Taking aw that intae consideration ah can only wish them the best o luck. We’re aw desperate tae see Season 6 but at whit cost baith tae production and of course tae health.
Thanks for the great update as always, Courtney. I wonder what will be happening now as the UK just announced a complete lockdown until the end of February because of the new variant. This may put things on hold for the production.
Hi Suzanne, you’re very welcome. Check out my last update to the post – could change, but for now looks like they may still be able to film.
Miss you guys so much!! I have reread the books so many times, I feel I could play just about any character, without a script!!!! Be safe, but hurry up!!! Withdrawals are hell on this old woman!!! ❤️
Thanks for sharing… sounds hopeful!
Thanks for a lovely informative article. Fingers crossed all proceeds well.
Thanks for posting all this information! That’s a lot! It’s all so confusing with what can be done exactly while filming. So challenging! I bet everyone’s really had to bring their creativeness to play & thinking outside the box.
I hope you’re all well also. I continue to work from home myself. I don’t care if I ever return. I have an hour commute each way.
Take care!
Thanks for this thorough analysis of options. I must say, I’d rather wait till it is completely safe for all before ANY new filming of ANY show or movie is undertaken. I have watched modern TV dramas incorporate masks into their new seasons, and as someone who sews with the Aunties Sewing Squad and so has to keep up on all the latest info. on materials, how to safely wear masks and so on I am NOT happy with much of what I am seeing. Very bad modeling of UNSAFE behaviors. I miss the show and am sure the actors and crew are champing at the bit, and worried about attrition, but we don’t want anyone dying or contracting an illness leading to lifelong disabilities just so we can be entertained. If I were Cait and Sam, much less any of the other cast and crew I would say no!! If any ONE of them decides the rules don’t apply, and we’re talking scores and scores of folks, they are all in danger. This has me worried!!
WOW Courtney thanks for the fabulous update! Very informative and it really has got me excited for Season6……Stay well and keep up the good work for us.
We will get Tom and Malva but will we get Allan? And… what about the Bugs? Will they make a real debut in Season 6? Plot twists and changes lead to speculations for very active discussions during Droughtlander, don’t y’a think? Can’t wait!!!
I don’t know if we’ll get Allan, I think so. I don’t have a clear idea of how the Bugs will factor in. They kind of were like Donas in Season 1 😏 😊
Thanks Courtney for keeping us abreast of Season 6 shooting possibilities. I know a great deal of S6 involves battles. I for one would not be opposed to them using CGI to allow for scenes with many people fighting. I know it’s been done in the past in movies with epic battle scenes to cut costs of hiring so many extras and that would not diminish anything for me. The main thing is the safety of the cast and crew during filming. I’m just glad that the UK powers that be are allowing filming productions to resume. For heaven’s sake, television, movies and books are our only source of sanity and entertainment in these Covid times!
Happy New Year to you and all the many Sassenachs out there waiting for season 6!
Love, Suzie
Now that there is a vaccine, can’t everyone get inoculated then quarantine for two weeks and during the whole shoot?
That would be nice, but I don’t know if it’s that simple – that’s a lot of people. & I’m sure how it’s being rolled out in the UK, but I’m guessing it’s similar to here. Health care workers and elderly first.
Typo in the article:
She also wrote a Season 5 favorite – Episode 409, Monsters and Heroes.
I think the number is incorrect.
Otherwise, superb article with loads of info. Thank you
😊 You are correct! Thank you Nadra. 😘
Thanks Courtney for the info. I am assuming that there will be battle scenes in Season 6. I wonder if the producers have thought about using footage from Revolutionary War Reenactments that have been done here in the US. I believe there are also groups in the UK that actually re-enact our Revolutionary War as well as our Civil War. I was thinking the usage of that could be very helpful as far as cost and use of large groups of background artists. Course wouldn’t it be great if we could get the production company to come to the US and do some filming???
May be on the battles Cynthia, good idea, but I don’t think we’ll get them to come over here! x
Sadly Courtney I think you are correct. But one can dream!
Courtney, Happy New Year and Thank you for sharing this information about Season 6. Planning and preping for filming is in force. But then … Covid, BJR the Virus, sneaky, erratic, disabling, and sometimes deadly,has returned. You and Piper are right to point out that safety for the cast and crew has to come first. I’ll be OK knowing that they are safe and healthy, even if it means waiting a little longer.
I agree. Safety first, and it they can manage it safely, lucky us. If not, I’m happy to wait. x
Hi Courtney, Thanks for such a newsy post! Along with so many others I’m so looking forward to Season 6!
❤️😘
What a great article, Courtney!! I’m so excited to see who is cast as Malva and Tom! I am also expecting the love scenes to be hotter than ever because they’re going to have to be super creative!!
Thank you Donna-Marie – I like the way you think!
you say that Cait and Sam are the only original cast members left, with the exception of Graham….his character was killed by Jamie before Culloden.
Carolyn -remember he came back in Season 5 as Buck? Hopefully that’s not a spoiler!
At least Sam and Cait have now great experience of working on a Covid safe set. Sam filmed for two weeks in August with MIK all over Scotland and they would have had safe protocols in situ, then he filmed in London over Nov/Dec, again under covid safe regulations, even filming a kissing scene with a married woman. Cait filmed Belfast with Jamie Dornan, and again will be used to the new “normal” safety routine. We know Sam’s driver Davie “Hollywood” has returned to work, the steadicam operative Mike Carstensen and wife have flown to Glasgow from SA as well. We just have to be patient and trust the professionals!
Nice update. I presume they will all be in a bubble with testing conducted. Such an additional burden for a cast and crew who already give so much. I think the season will start with new arrivals to the Ridge. The Christy family and others? Depending which way they go with the story. Claire may be developing ether and Bree may be working on her matches. Roger thinking about being a minister and Jamie (and all of them really) thinking about the war. Always love the info you provide. I am about ready to re-watch season 5 again and will be re- watching the Episode Discussions which I really enjoy. ALMOST as much as the show! Thanks.