RICHARD RANKIN TALKS ABOUT 'OUTLANDER' SEASON 5, ROGER & BRIANNA’S RELATIONSHIP, HIS PHOTOGRAPHY, AND TIME TRAVEL

With the brewing excitement over the return of Outlander Season 5, Scottish actor Richard Rankin, who plays Roger Mackenzie Wakefield in the Starz time travel adventure drama, spoke with us about what fans should look out on the new season of the show.

Outlander has been nominated for 6 Golden Globes including Best Television Series, multiple Emmy nominations and Critics Choice award wins. “Outlander” Season Five returns on Sunday, February 16th at 8PM ET/PT on STARZ and the STARZ App.

Season 5 will pick up after the birth of Brianna’s baby and the reunion with Roger (Richard Rankin). Roger was taken by the Mohawk and Jamie Fraser (Heughan) and his wife Claire (Balfe) went off to rescue him. Richard’s performance in S4 was really quite special and his role grows even more this season and will cement him as one of the leads in the global show.

In 2019, Rankin starred in BBC One’s 4-part dark medical thriller TRUST ME as Dr Alex Kiernan alongside Alfred Enoch, John Hannah and Ashley Jensen. Richard starred in BBC One’s psychological thriller THE REPLACEMENT in 2017 alongside Morven Christie and Vicky McClure to rave reviews.

In this exclusive interview, Richard talks about his character’s development throughout the seasons, his thoughts on time-travel, Roger’s relationship with Brianna, his love of theatre and his photography.

PHOTOGRAPHER: JOSEPH SINCLAIR

What’s the best part about playing Roger Mackenzie’s character?

Roger’s character has intrigued and excited me from the beginning.  What I was most excited to play was the story and character arc over the course of the books.  He changes and evolves so much through the events that unfold.  He is an honest, loyal man of integrity and of traditional values and a good home.  A Professor of History at Oxford University – in a time of peace, love and revolution to a reluctant deckhand under a murderous Captain in a time of Piracy, disease and treachery to a beaten, downtrodden, prisoner of the 18th Century Mohawk to the trials and changes that Season 5 bring.  Again, we’ll see a Roger transformed. It has been a lot of fun to play and everything I could ask for as an actor.

How would you describe Roger’s growth throughout the seasons of the show?

Roger has to adapt quickly to an ever-changing environment.  Whether willingly, or not, he’s often thrown into some very precarious situations.  Often dangerous, often life threatening and he comes from a time where tales that he experience would belong more in history or even fantasy, so initially, he’s ill equipped to deal with what he encounters.  In overcoming and experiencing all that, he goes through, up until Season 5, he becomes stronger.  He grows.  He becomes less and less of a stranger to his time – may even start to belong to his time.

How do you think Roger will react to his “son” in this new season?

Roger loves his Family.  He’s a decent man with a good upbringing.  He, himself, was adopted at a young age and although his Faith is enough for him that Jemmy is his own Son – even if he weren’t, he’ll love and accept him all the same and treat him no differently than of his own blood.

How will the new season of Outlander, explore Roger and Brianna’s love story?

We really get to explore Roger and Brianna this Season in a way we haven’t seen before- The foundations of their relationship and what makes them tick as a couple and the reasons they have such a love for one another.  There’s a real unbeatable strength in them- a love, and a side to them we haven’t really seen until now. 

For you, what is the most challenging and rewarding moments of the show so far?

Usually the most challenging moments are the most rewarding and I think that’s really been the case for me.  Season 4 was a big challenge and a step up for me, as an actor.  I think what I’m most proud of there are the challenges presented when Roger went back to the 18th Century.  He was, and is, really out of his depth.  More so was playing everything that unfolded with his capture and sale to the Mohawk.  That was very rewarding. 

Personally, how do feel about time travel and the possibilities of rewriting history?

It’s probably a bad idea.

Out of all the roles that you’ve played, which one resonates with you the most and why?

I feel really luck that pretty much all of my roles so far have immediately resonated on some level and I’ve been so blessed to have had the co-stars I’ve had to work with which make that all the easier again.  I had a real connection with Captain Gillan, in the Crimson Field and I’m not sure if that was to the character directly or because I found the story so important and got so passionately involved.

You acted in some theatre roles before, will you be going back to any theatre production anytime soon?

I would really love to go back to Theatre when I get the chance! So, yes, as soon as I get the opportunity.

Let’s talk about your love for Photography. Will you be having another show/exhibition anytime soon?

I’ve been working quite a lot on my photography.  Especially in the Hiatus.  I’ve had some opportunities for exhibitions present themselves but it’s really going to be dependent on my work.  If I’ve got a collection of work I think merits an exhibition, then definitely!

Will the fans see more of your photography featuring your Outlander castmates?

You never know!! I’ve certainly got enough of it.  So maybe once we air this year one or two of them might make their way into the world.  I’ve actually got many more of our crew than our cast.

“Outlander” Season Five returns on Sunday, February 16th at 8PM ET/PT on STARZ and the STARZ App.