Sam Heughan claims that the sixth season of Outlander is the 'darkest yet'.
Fans have been delighted that 'Droughtlander' is finally over, but things aren't going to stay peaceful for long in Fraser's Ridge with impending war and the arrival of Tom Christie.
Dumfries -born Sam, 41, has played Jamie Fraser since the show first aired in 2014 alongside Caitriona Balfe, who plays his on-screen wife Claire Fraser.
The Scottish actor spoke to The Scotsman about the current season of Outlander, and gave some hints about what is in store.
“We pick up where we left off,” said Sam “a few months after the end of season five.
“Claire had been brutally attacked and she’s dealing with that and I think Jamie is also very aware of what she’s been going through and is understanding, but he’s also distracted because he’s still dealing with his divided loyalty to the Crown.
“We also have the introduction, or the reintroduction of Tom Christie, an old adversary of Jamie’s and his arrival with his family really does signal the decay of the stability at Fraser’s Ridge.
"We flashback to when they first met at Ardsmuir prison and see how Tom controls all the men through his religious beliefs when Jamie really doesn’t want to be involved - he’s just lost Claire, been through the battle of Culloden and he’s a shadow of himself," he continued.
"But he’s forced into standing up to Tom because he sees the injustice that’s being served out so that explains why he gets such a lukewarm welcome.”
“We know the War of Independence is looming and I think this is one of the darkest seasons yet.
"It’s the beginning of the decay of Fraser’s Ridge. The popularity of Jamie and Claire was high and the Ridge had grown into a very extended, affluent settlement, but this season really does mark the end of that popularity.
“Jamie and Claire know that they’re supposed to die in a fire at The Great House, so I guess that’s always playing on the back of their minds,” Sam added.
“I think the time is up for Jamie and Claire in this one and the entrance of Tom Christie really does set all of that in motion. He walks in and this is where things are about to change.”
Outlander season 6 continues Sundays on Starz in the USA and StarzPlay in the UK.
Did you watch the Outlander season six premiere? Let us know in the comments.
Read Sam Heughan's full interview on https://www.scotsman.com/
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