Jamie Roy as Brian Fraser sitting outside in a hat and coat on a grassy hill in Outlander: Blood of My Blood
Summary In Outlander: Blood of My Blood, Brian Fraser has grown up knowing that being the illegitimate son of Lord Lovat , a man that is equal parts cruel and lecherous, meant that the only support he would get would be from his mother Davina and his cousin and best friend Murtagh .
All too quick to celebrate the demise of his arch enemy Red Jacob , Lovat insists Brian and Murtagh attend the funeral, which sets the path of Brian’s life in a very different direction when he meets Ellen MacKenzie . Ellen and Brian know that how they feel about each other is so strong that they will fight to be together but being promised to Malcolm Grant and the very real danger of getting caught makes every glance and every stolen moment a risk that could end them both. Collider got the opportunity to chat one-on-one with Roy about everything from how he ultimately landed the role to the support he’s received from Outlander star Sam Heughan, whose own character, Jamie Fraser, is actually Brian and Ellen’s son. He also talked about the evolution of Brian from Season 1 to Season 2, which they were filming, shooting that scene when Lord Lovat was on the toilet, the danger of Brian’s feelings for Ellen, breaking the bro code with Murtagh, funny unexpected moments that can happen while filming an intimate scene, and his reassurance that fans will not be disappointed with Season 2. Jamie Roy Didn't Give Up Until He Was Ultimately Cast as a Lead in ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’ "I can only do my best work and put it out there." Collider: We’ve heard the story that you had auditioned for Outlander before you were cast in Blood of My Blood and then got cast in this instead. Obviously, being a lead on a series is much more fun than just playing a character. What exactly happened? Did you really audition for two different roles on the original series? How did all of that play out? JAMIE ROY: I honestly didn’t know what was happening when it was happening. The first audition was a one-liner. I was pinned for that, and I was told that they were just putting me through for final approval, but that it looked really, really good. And then, my agent told me that one got cut, but I did a great job, and they would keep me in mind for other things. And then, the second role that I auditioned for was for when Roger goes back in time and meets his dad. It was for Jeremiah MacKenzie, and that was significantly bigger. That was a guest star, and I would have had two scenes. I know I did a good job in that, but I didn’t hear anything back. And then, it was I can’t remember how many months later, but in January 2023 when I got the audition for Brian, I realized, “Oh, I’ve done something right here because I’ve gone from one line to a guest star to, all of a sudden, being the lead of this show.” I was like, “I’m just going to keep on going. I can only do my best work and put it out there. If they like it, they like it. If they don’t, they don’t.” But I had a good feeling that something was going to be in the pipeline. Thankfully, it was. Did you get even more confidence when something like that happened, or did you get even more nervous because you felt like there was more pressure? ROY: It was more confidence. You always are told as actors, if you’re getting callbacks from the same office, it means that they like you and they just haven’t found the right role for you, but you’re doing something right. So, it really gave me a lot of confidence. For Brian, I think I went through five different stages of the audition process, By the time I got to the fifth one, I remember being really nervous because that was the screen test. You go in and they’ve got a proper camera, and there’s another actor there with you. When I walked into the room, I realized that everybody just wants you to succeed. I think it was Matt who said to me, “This is your time. This is all for you. We are here for as long as you need. Do whatever you need to do. We’re waiting for you.” It wasn’t me versus them. We were all a team, and we all wanted the same thing. That alleviated any nerves and pressure that I had put on myself. And then, I just had a lot of fun. I remember walking out there feeling like, “Yeah, I didn’t leave anything on the table.” It was really good. If you’re going to play a character in the Outlander universe, it seems like one of the best people to get advice from is Sam Heughan. What’s it been like to have his support? What is the best advice he’s given you? ROY: First of all, having his support is everything. He came out to the premiere with us, and he was also there for Comic-Con. He flew out to Comic-Con, and then he drove up to L.A. with us to be there. It was so special having him there, to have that support. He said, from day one, that he’s a huge fan of the show. He loves Outlander. And then, when he found out that they were doing a prequel about his parents, he was over the moon and couldn’t wait to see that story. He’s been so supportive, and we still text regularly. He checks in on me and asks how things are going. When we were in L.A. doing all the press after San Diego, it was a whirlwind for two weeks, just nonstop. One night, he texted me and asked me, “How are you doing? I know this is a lot, but you’re smashing it.” That was something so simple, but it meant so much to me because he doesn’t have to do that. He could easily just go on with his life and go onto the next thing. That support and care really meant a lot to me. It’s been less advice and more just a pillar to lean on and give that support. He’s always said to me to just enjoy it and to really take my time with everything because it passes so quickly. Is there anything in his performance that stood out for you or inspired you in some way, as you formed this character? ROY: I didn’t really take anything from his performance, per se. I didn’t watch him and decide to incorporate any mannerisms because I wanted Brian to be his own person. But it’s funny because, even by doing that, we’re quite similar as people in the way that we act, so there are crossovers that are just happy coincidences. It’s great. Casting obviously knew what they were doing. Brian Fraser Will Continue to Grow and Evolve in Season 2 of ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’ "He changes very, very significantly." You’re ahead of where we are as viewers, so as you shoot the second season and you’re learning what comes next in Brian’s journey, is it changing your perception of what you went through in Season 1? Does having further context for the journey of your character make you think any differently about what he’s already been through? ROY: Totally. Since we’re in Season 2 and we know where it goes, when we were at the premiere, I was like, “This is guy is so different from what I know in my heart to be Brian” because he’s gone through so much. Even in Season 1, there’s a huge change. But then, when we get to Season 2, it changes again. He does a lot of growing up. A lot happens in that time, and he changes very, very significantly. I like to think he’s gone from a boy to a man, at least in Season 1. By the end of Season 1, you’re like, “This Brian Fraser knows what’s up. He’s definitely taken his future into his own hands.” It struck me as funny that you would have a serious scene with your father while he’s on the toilet. What’s it like to shoot a scene like that? Is that one of the reminders of the time period that you’re shooting this in? ROY: Shooting that was so funny. When I watched the cut episode for the first time, I heard that they put in the sound effects of him being in the toilet. I was just like, “Oh, my God, that is so grim.” But actually, on that day, Tony was messing with us. It was on our coverage, which is very rude of him, but when he was saying his lines, he would say something like, “Tell me about…” and make this noise “…the gathering.” He would make these horrific sound effects with his own mouth to put me and Rory off. Keeping a straight face during that scene was such a challenge because we kept bursting out laughing. Jamie Payne had to come up to us and be like, “Boys, be serious here.” And we were like, “Yep, okay. Of course.” When I’m working with Rory, the two of us are Brian and Murtagh in real life. We love to have a laugh. We goof around a lot. That was a very, very interesting scene to shoot. But it was good fun on the day. Brian knows his father is a grotesque man This isn’t the first time that this has happened. This is almost the norm. Brian very much has an agenda during that scene, to try to break off Ellen’s engagement with Malcolm Grant. And then, it goes a little bit too far the wrong way, to the point where he’s saying that he wants to ruin this woman’s reputation. It goes from Brian appeasing his father and making him feel like he’s so smart and so clever to, “Oh, wait, actually, dad, this isn’t a good idea. I don’t think you should go down this path.” Brian knows that being with Ellen is dangerous for so many reasons. At the same time, he’s the one thing that Ellen has chosen for herself, in a world where so many men are trying to make decisions for her. Does he fully grasp the seriousness of the situation? ROY: Brian and Ellen are actually very similar in their circumstances in so many ways. Brian is the one thing that Ellen has been able to choose. Ellen is the one thing that Brian’s actually wanted in his life. Brian knew he wasn’t going to get the things in life which normal men get, and that’s okay. He accepted that. And then, he realizes, “Oh, wait, Ellen is this one thing that I actually want,” and he’s going to do anything that he can in his power to be with that. He’s a smart guy and he’s aware of how difficult it will be, but the heart rules all, what can I say? Brian’s feelings for Ellen make a mess of his friendship with Murtagh. We want Brian and Ellen together, but by them being together, he’s hurting his best friend. How did you justify that violation of the bro code? ROY: It’s the bro code, but it’s also not in Brian’s nature. It goes against everything that he is, as a person. You’re always trying to do the right thing and the good thing, and this goes against every moral fiber of his being. He’s lying, and not just lying, but lying to his best friend. It’s a tug of war. He’s never wanted anything, and this is the one thing that he wants. He’s willing to jeopardize his own morality in pursuit of this love of Ellen. It was difficult because when I was filming with Rory and seeing how sweet and honest he is, and he’s got this little twinkle in his eye, it killed me. It really does put a knife in your heart. I was like, “Oh, man, I feel bad for this guy. But I can’t let him know.” When you read the moment with Ellen and Brian kissing out in the woods, and Murtagh coming across them, what was your reaction to that? How do you think Brian would have felt if he had known that happened? ROY: He would have been heartbroken. He would have been absolutely devastated. That was obviously not the way that he wanted Murtagh to find out. I believed it was Brian’s intention to tell Murtagh eventually. He just didn’t know the best way to do it. He didn’t do himself any favors because the longer you leave that, the more difficult it is. Murtagh seeing them kiss in episode give, obviously, all trust was gone and it really put their relationship in jeopardy. Brian felt horrific about it, but at the same time, he was in love with this woman. He’s sorry, but he does love her. So, he has to get Murtagh back on his side, which is not an easy feat. If Brian knew that Murtagh stumbled upon him kissing Ellen, do you think they still would have ended up in the chapel together, or do you think there would have been a fight between Brian and Murtagh that would have kept that from happening? ROY: Don’t put me in that position. I feel horrible, even thinking that. No, I don’t think the chapel would have happened. If he looked over and saw Murtagh, he would have to go see him. I don’t think Murtagh would want to talk to him at that point, so maybe he would go back to Ellen and they would just have a conversation. I don’t think what happens in episode five would have happened had he seen Murtagh. It’s his best friend and the only family that he actually has. He would have wanted to make amends as quick as possible. The Intimate Moment Brian and Ellen Share in the Chapel in ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’ Had Some Unexpected Guests "We had a laugh about it." When we spoke at the junket, Harriet Slater mentioned that during that scene in the chapel, you literally had to pull a beetle from her hair. Did that happen while you were actually filming? Did that happen between takes? Did that totally ruin the moment? ROY: The chapel was a set, but these sets are so amazing that they’ll bring in real foliage and stuff from outside. What we were lying on was real moss with real plants all over, so we got real bugs. So many times, I wouldn’t tell her when I saw one because it happened several times. I would just pick it out of her hair or brush it off her shoulder because if I said something to her, she would freak out. That happened quite a few times. It grounds you. We had a laugh about it. We gave them names. There was a little millipede one time. I think we called him Little MacKenzie, and he was just wiggling about. Do you think Brian fully realized, in that moment in the chapel, just what Ellen means to him and what he means to her? ROY: I think he was aware of it, whether or not he fully understood. At the end of the day, he will do anything. He says, “I would die for you.” He will do anything, and he sees the same energy from her. For him to initiate the handfast, after she says, “Let’s continue on,” he wants to do it right. Back in that time, that was a huge thing. That was a promise between two people that you couldn’t break. Your word is your bond. So, when he initiates that, that’s really all or nothing. It’s a symbol of their love and what they’ll do for each other. Fun fact, I stole our handfast from set. That was the one thing I took from the set. How hard has it been for him to Brian to have this connection with Ellen, the whole time she was promised to Malcolm Grant? ROY: I don’t think Brian is a jealous guy. He doesn’t really have an ego, and he trusts Ellen. They have this language between them, which doesn’t need any words. He knows that she’s in it with him. Back in those days, you couldn’t exactly jump on the phone and text. He has to go see her and look into her eyes to find information, and she reassures him. He trusts her, a hundred perfect. It wasn’t nice to see Malcolm and Ellen together at Beltane, but he gets it. They have that reassurance that they’ve got each other, and they’ll work through it and make it happen. He’s playing the long game. Brian has a very interesting dynamic with Julia. There’s not necessarily what you would consider friends because of their situation, but they start to trust each other. What was that dynamic like to explore? ROY: I like to think of it almost like a sibling relationship, honestly. They are quite wary of each other to start with, but they do get to know each other a little better and bond. After episode four, their relationship definitely changed. He found out that she was pregnant and automatically went into caretaker mode to make sure she’s safe. He wants to protect her. It’s really fun. She’s older than him in the story, so I think she feels quite protective over Brian and he feels protective over her. It’s actually similar to Brian and Davina’s relationship. Davina is protective of Brian, but any time his mom could possibly be in danger, he jumps to her defense as well. He just knows how to treat women well.ROY: The worse that his father becomes, the better Brian strives to be because he doesn’t want to be anything like his father. He wants to be the polar opposite. Anything that Lord Lovat does, Brian will do the exact opposite. He’s very conscious of that. How does he view that relationship with his father? Has he made peace with the fact that he’s never going to be more than the horrible father he is? ROY: Brian is a hopeful guy and he’s an optimist. He’s also pragmatic too, so he’s not a fool. He knows a lost cause when he sees one. He really tries to make an effort with him and says, “Is there any good in you? Why are you like this? Why do you treat me this way?” That was a last-ditch effort to see if there’s any redemption for his father, but that doesn’t end well. From that point on, their relationship changes quite drastically. What’s it like to find a balance of heartbreak and hope? It’s never going to be easy for Brian and Ellen, is it? ROY: There are so many obstacles to overcome. Things get good and you’re like, “Oh, they’re going to be together. Something great is going to happen.” And then, something else happens and it tears them apart. It’s a roller coaster. Jamie Roy Promises That Fans Won’t Be Disappointed With Season 2 of ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’ "People are going to be frustrated because they're going to want to see Season 2." How do you think fans will feel by the time they get to the end of the finale? What sort of emotions do you think they’ll go through in that last episode of the season? ROY: I think they’ll be like, “Oh, okay, that makes sense. That’s that door closing. I feel content with maybe this is how it’s ending.” And then, all of a sudden, you’re like, “Wait, what?!” People are going to be frustrated because they’re going to want to see Season 2, episode one straight away. Fans can rest assured that they won’t be disappointed with the finale, or the way Season 2 goes as well. 8 10 Outlander: Blood of My Blood 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-MA Drama Adventure Romance Release Date August 8, 2025 Network Starz Showrunner Matthew B. Roberts Directors Jamie Payne Franchise Outlander Cast See All Set in the expansive Outlander universe, this prequel explores the lives and loves of Jamie Fraser’s ancestors. Delving into the rich history of the Fraser clan, the series weaves a tale of passion, loyalty, and survival in the rugged Scottish Highlands, uncovering secrets that echo through generations. Seasons 1 Powered by Expand Collapse Outlander: Blood of My Blood airs on Starz. Check out the trailer:
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