TV Interview!
Interview with Rory Alexander & Sadhbh Malin of “Outlander: Blood Of My Blood” on Starz by Suzanne 8/25/25
It was fun to speak with these two young actors. This was a roundtable, so there were 5-6 other press members asking questions, besides myself. They gave us about a half an hour, so everyone had a chance to ask at least one question, and some got two questions. I came in a little late due to a previous engagement, but I didn’t miss too much. I hope you enjoy this transcript below. We weren’t allowed to use video on this one. They were delightful, though, I have to say. They clearly enjoy their work.
Tony: Great to talk to you both. Rory again it was pleasure last time.
Rory: Nice to see you, Tony.
Tony: Yeah, I gotta say. Let’s go back to the first episode, because that we can talk about, because it’s already aired. For example, there was a scene right after the victorious boar hunt, and you’re washing your hands, and she comes on over. Jocasta comes over. So, talk about playing that scene, because I saw a little bit of a spark there. Maybe I’m wrong. We’ll start with the ladies, of course.
Sadhbh: Yeah, you’re definitely not wrong. There’s definitely a little spark there. I don’t know. I think it’s in that moment, so early on in their very long relationship, as we know. I think it’s just fancying and seeing something in someone that you really, really like, and it’s a crush and it’s young. I think he’s really kind to her, and I think it’s a really beautiful moment for Jocasta, who is not in her most ideal situation right now. We’ve seen her being quite stern, and there’s feelings of being misunderstood, but we see her in this light, beautiful, playful moment with a man that she’s crushing on. So, yeah, I think it’s young and relatable.
Tony: What do you say, Rory? You kind of glanced in another direction slightly there in that scene, if I recall.
Rory: Yeah, I definitely clock that there is chemistry between us. He is pretty focused on Ellen, but also, I think he’s on top of the world. He’s just been victorious in a boar hunt, and he kind of feels like things are going his way, and then Jocasta reads his eyes so quickly and kind of embarrasses him and goes, “I’m going to talk to my sister for you.” And I think he sort of suddenly spots that she does have this likeness and that they can actually have quite a serious conversation, but in quite a sort of gentle, playful way. And I mean, he’s only human. He is a young man, and the lovely Jocasta is in front of him.
So, although he has these feelings for Ellen, he’s like, oh, wow. I also I think it’s important that he does give her a compliment. That feeling of being overlooked is a really hard one, and Murtagh definitely feels that in his life and with his set up as well. So, the opportunity to be able to say to someone, “I see you,” is very special, and it’s a really good place for them to start, I think.
Joe: Hi, guys. Thanks for chatting with us today. People are different when they get older from their younger selves, right? I’m not the same guy today as I was 10 years ago, and 10 years ago, I wasn’t the same guy that I was 10 years before that.
You’re both playing characters that are established already in the Outlander universe. What’s the challenge of playing these new characters, playing these characters that people already know, but playing younger versions that they don’t know? Like Murtagh, for example. The younger Murtagh is more hopeful, less hopeful than he becomes later. What’s the challenge of taking little moments, though, of these actors’ performances from the original Outlander series and kind of saying, like, well, “I’m still that guy; part me is still there, but I’m creating a new version of this character or a younger version of this character.” Talk about that challenge.
Sadhbh: Yeah. Well, I guess, I mean, we all kind of, I think, spoke about this the whole way through filming. It wasn’t something that you were really able to obsess over, and like, I guess, for me, it was about finding the essence of of Jocasta and like small things like voice. Because I do think the way someone starts off their life as a baby and, you know, as a young person and the way they end, there’s often something really in their essence that’s very similar. So, for me, like the essence was quite important. Then, also like remembering how much Jocasta goes through in her life and all of those experiences are what make her the version that we meet in Outlander. So, I guess trusting that she’s going through all of those things episode by episode that are going to turn her into who she becomes. So, yeah, I guess trusting in that and trusting that, if that makes sense.
Rory: Yeah, I totally agree with that. You can’t play the character like you’ve been through those experiences, and that’s kind of the joy of getting to do it is you go, “Well, we are on one side of the veil, and then everyone has already seen on the other.” And there’re little things like, you know, Sadhbh’s and my like kind of chemistry on screen might be different to theirs. But the same thing is true, which is that they have an important and deep connection, and I don’t think there are certain organic things that you can just mimic. Otherwise, you fall into the realm of kind of being inauthentic. And also, there are similarities that come through just by dint of being in the same universe. You know, it’s the same family members and like they’re fighting the same – well, they’re not the same wars, but, you know, figuratively the same wars. So much of the similarities are kind of given to you by the world already, which is really, really useful.
Riju: So, both of your characters are kind of, I mean, if not for Ellen, we did mention that there was a spark between both of your characters. So, if not for Ellen, do you think that Jocasta and Murtagh would have made a good couple?
Sadhbh: I think in the world, if we weren’t in the world that they’re in potentially, but I think there’s so many reasons going against them. And Jocasta is married, and it was arranged for her. Yeah, I think there’s a lot of reasons bigger than them as to why they couldn’t, but I think in a simpler world, there’s definitely a spark there that could have been excavated.
Rory: Yeah, I mean, Murtagh doesn’t really have control of his life necessarily, because of his family ties and things and his kind of status and position. But yeah, you kind of hope that if you took away all the other elements, just at the core, they definitely have a spark in the chemistry. Yeah, it’s good. It’s like, it’s good writing, but it’s always sad that you don’t get to kind of do more of it. There is definitely something good to mine here. I guess that’s where the tension comes in.
John: Well, first off, you guys are doing amazing work this season. This episode, especially, there’s just so much power that comes from what you both go through when it comes to this longing for love. I’m just curious, as actors, how you found the essence of those emotions, because it felt so raw and so real.
Sadhbh: Yes. Well, I mean, together, I guess, trusting in each other and trusting in the writing. And I think what they go through is really real and relatable, and I think they go through like a very imperfect or the beginnings of a very imperfect love story. I think we all, anyone who’s human, knows kind of what that feels like. So, I guess, yeah, trusting in each other, and we’re friends, so I’m trusting in that too.
Rory: Yeah, trust is the key word. I think you can do as much work as you like, sort of answering all the questions and thinking about the context and the emotional history and how they’ve got to these places and what’s causing them to feel this way, and then you kind of just have to sit in a tent opposite Sadhbh and do the scene, and, you know, you’re not thinking about any of that stuff. You’re just there, and somehow that’s kind of all become ingrained in you. Then, you just go, “What happens if you if you touch my hand? How am I going to touch it back?” And it just happens when you’re doing it, because, yeah, you can’t kind of logistically plan emotions. You just kind of have to hope that something feels right as you’re doing it. Yeah, I think, because of our relationship and how Emer directed it and the script, it just went, “yeah, this clicks.”
John: Thank you guys. Appreciate it. Amazing, amazing work.
Rory: Thank you, John.
Genevieve: First of all, I want to let you know that I am loving Blood of My Blood. First, I was really just looking forward to a return to the Outlander universe, but you have all blown me away with your acting and the storytelling, and I can only imagine the great pressure of taking on established characters brought alive by other great characters, but you’re both handling your characters wonderfully, and I look forward to more of your versions of Murtagh and Jocasta. But my question is more about your acting, and it’s for both of you. What is the last thing you do, think, or say to yourself before you step on set to get into your characters?
Sadhbh: Very much the same.
Rory: Sometimes I’ll be like listening to music in my trailer to kind of get yourself into the right into the right headspace. Like some of like Bear’s music, who obviously does the music for the show. Sometimes it’s, yeah, listening to the Rolling Stones just to kind of get the right energy and feel for it. I don’t have like a line that I say to myself that like instantly makes me feel like Murtagh, I would say. And it’s hard, because sometimes you’re sat there having a coffee talking about what you did on the weekend, and they’re like, “Okay, and rolling,” and then you go, “Here we are,” which is maybe unprofessional. Maybe it means that we’re getting better at it. I don’t know where the line is. Sadhbh, any thoughts?
Sadhbh: It really depends on the day, I think. Yeah. There’s sometimes like where I like really, really, I don’t know, try to get into like create the thoughts that Jocasta is having, like really try to create a stream. I don’t know. It’s so hard to talk about that without sounding like a little, without sounding like a proper actor. Yeah, different things. Music is good. But I find sometimes as well, like sometimes I think if you have a scene, you like really, really care about it, and I think every scene you care about. But if there’s a scene that really feels huge for your character, and you go in with all these like massive, complicated thoughts and feelings and you’re, you know, doing movement in your trailer, not that I’ve done that, but, you know, you’re going to that extreme. Then, you get to doing it, and you’ve made the process towards the scene so complicated that actually you’ve kind of brought a bit too much to it. I think sometimes like understanding and connecting and being present is actually enough. Like you’ve done the work, and you just have to trust that it’s in there when you show up on the day.
Rory: Sometimes, just before the camera rolls, I sort of talk to myself. Like I’ll say, “Oh, I’m in this tent, because I made a stupid mistake, and Brian’s not here.” And then you can kind of kind of gee yourself up into it. But I totally agree with Sadhbh. You can outthink yourself and try and become way too prepared.
Sadhbh: I also don’t do movement in my trailer, by the way. Sorry, I just really had to clear that up. I promise.
Rory: It’s like, have you’ve ever played Mario Kart? Like if you rev the engine at the start of the Mario Kart race, if you do it, then your car just goes, and you don’t get a good start. Like you can’t overcook it. That is my academic analogy for today.
Genevieve: Thank you both. Thank you.
Rory: Thank you.
Suzanne: So, I’ve had actors say before that they love when they get into the costume and have the props and everything, because it gets them into the mood, so to speak, gives them the headspace, helps them with the character. But leaving that aside, your costumes look kind of uncomfortable. Would you say they’re uncomfortable or do they try to make them comfortable for either one of you both?
Rory: They definitely try and make them comfortable, but that doesn’t make them comfortable, especially if they get wet, and then they start to smell, and then everyone smells like wet sheep. Then, you’re doing a scene where you’re meant to be staring at each other thinking like you’re the hottest girl in the world, but we both stink of sheep. But it is very useful, because I get wrapped up like a burrito every day in my kilt, and after you’ve done that, you don’t really feel like yourself anymore. You’re 90% of the way to getting into character. So, it is very helpful. But yeah, when you’re doing long days in triple tweed, you finish, and you feel like you’ve been carrying a military backpack for the day. It’s quite a lot.
Sadhbh: Yeah, they’re heavy. They’re really heavy. So, that dance scene in Belton was like, I don’t know how much my costume weighed that day, because it felt like I was carrying a few kilos on my dress. So, prancing up and down was funny.
Suzanne: So, women’s costumes aren’t any lighter?
Sadhbh: Say that again, sorry.
Suzanne: I said, the women’s costumes aren’t any lighter?
Sadhbh: No, I mean, I don’t have facts on this, but I feel like they’re probably heavier.
Rory: I think they could well be heavier. Everyone always looks forward to a scene where they’re like, “Oh, you’re not wearing a jacket in this,” and two weeks off, you’re like, “I can’t wait to do that scene,” and then on the day, it’ll be snowing, and you’re like, “I wish I was wearing a jacket.” You can’t get it right.
Sadhbh: I think the discomfort helps. Thank you so much. Thank you.
Rory: Yeah, I agree. My corset is very comfortable, though.
Sadhbh: Do you have a corset?… Humiliating me.
Tony: All right, guys. Well, you both have relatives in this series that you’re close to. One’s a sister, and I think, Rory, he’s more of a cousin to you, isn’t he? Isn’t that right?
Rory: Yeah, he’s my cousin.
Tony: So, what’s it like? Kind of describe the relationship and how you get along, or maybe at times you don’t get along. What’s it like? Ladies First, of course.
Sadhbh: Yeah. I think there’s, as we saw at the end, or at the start of episode five, I think there’s the beginnings of a change in Jocasta and Ellen’s relationship. But I think Ellen and Ellen’s position, Ellen’s relationship with her late father is a real outlet for Jocasta’s kind of frustration and discomfort in her own life. I think it’s much easier to get angry at your sister, but I think there’s the beginnings of a change, and I think their trip to Belton is a real step in the right direction. So, I have hope for them.
Rory: Yeah, similarly, I think, I hope, but knowing that there’s definitely going to be some family feuds along the way, which is nice, because it means it’s realistic. I have lots of siblings, and we’re not always having picnics. So, Murtagh is Brian’s cousin, but they really are best friends. So, sometimes it feels like there’s a family duty, and sometimes it feels like they’re actively making a choice. And that works both ways, where if you betray one another, it kind of cuts double deep. But also, if you’re looking out for each other, you’re not just doing it because you have to, you’re doing it because you choose to, because you can’t choose your family, but you can choose your friends. And in this instance, he kind of does both. So, yeah, it makes everything doubly powered, in both the positive and the negative.
Tony: That’s what it’s like being a sibling.
Rory: There it is.
Tony: All right, thank you guys.
Joe: Guys, the show’s a very physical show, right? A lot of it’s set outside. I’m sure, I don’t know what the weather’s like, if it’s too hot when you’re filming, or maybe too cold. You’ve got animals. I’m sure there’s a lot of mud and dirt and bugs. Ben, can you pick out maybe one of the most challenging or uncomfortable days or scenes that you experienced during season one of Outlander: Blood of My Blood? And on the opposite end of the spectrum, maybe what was a pleasant surprise? Something that you’re like, “You know what? If I wasn’t on this show, I never would have got to experience this moment or this day.”
Rory: Well, we’ve had some very uncomfortable ones on season two already, and we’ve only just started. So, that’s not a good sign. I had an incident with a horse, where I was stood on the mark for too long, and the horse, like the Mario Kart, actually, it got too charged up. And I was meant to just – it’s actually in the start of episode five. I come in, and I tell Brian, “Come on, let’s go to the festival,” but the horses galloped full speed into this courtyard, and there were 200 crew and a crane and all the lights and stuff. And I was riding over the cobbles. And as I came around, Jamie looked up, and apparently, I was just manically giggling. And Jamie was like, “Why is he going to this scene hysterical?” I was like, “I didn’t choose to do this. It was just my pure fear pouring out of me.” So yeah, that was a pretty sticky day, I think. I got it in the end, just.
Sadhbh: We had one day at the funeral scene at the very start of episode one. It was actually an amazing day. But we went, I think it was in Crieff in Scotland. We travelled up there to shoot the scene. They had this amazing place down, all these windy, windy roads. If you imagine the most rural, undiscovered Scottish land down. It was wild. It was amazing. It was so beautiful. So, many of us there and so many essays and crew. I have never seen rain like it in my life, and I’m from Ireland. It was rain that you could see. It was like bullets and just went and went and went all day. I just felt for, yeah, it was like bullets. But they did it, and it actually looks amazing. So, it was worth it.
Rory: I think that shot of you guys on the road, the really far, [it’s] unbelievable.
Sadhbh: Yeah, it’s fabulous. Fabulous shot.
Rory: Fabulous.
Sadhbh: Fabulous. But it was one of those days where everyone just laughed so much, and we had so much fun, and we were all together, but no one had any signal. We’re like, “God, if something happens, we’re doomed.”
Joe: Opposite end of the spectrum, what was a pleasant day or a pleasant moment, big surprise?
Rory: There were loads. Sometimes it’s just about doing a really, really good scene. Like our scene in episode five, I just loved doing, and I knew as soon as I read that script, I knew that that was the scene that was kind of make or break. Like if we did it badly, I would have thought about it for weeks. So, yeah, when things like that go well, or it felt like it went well, that’s like really special.
I think my first day filming was a scene that’s, I think it’s cut, because it probably wasn’t very good. And it was Brian and Murtagh by a fire before they go to the gathering. And I just couldn’t really get my head around the fact that it was just two people and a fire, and yet we were in the middle of the forest. The cranes had lit up the sky so that it was starlight and there was a fake moon. And Philippe, the chef, had been preparing an actual rabbit for us to cook over the fire, and he’d been seasoning it with like thyme and tarragon. Then, there was a van that was giving us hot gyoza in the middle of the night, and we’re literally in the middle of nowhere. And I just thought, they’ve just created an entire world just so that me and this lad can sit by this fire and say three lines, and it blew my mind.
Sadhbh: Yeah, that’s a really good one, I think. Yeah, I think there were so many days. I mean, there [were] amazing days where loads of us were in and sitting in the [unintelligible]. And it’s just like – not to sound, yeah. It was just like laughing, just so much laughing. So much laughing that you go home with a headache. I know probably every cast says this. Like,”Oh, we’re all genuinely friends,” but like, we’re genuinely really good friends, and it’s like so lovely and cool that you get to go to for like people that you genuinely think are class. But yeah, I think those days where there’s loads of people in, and it’s like you kind of get so giddy and hyper, and you go home, and your head hurts, and people are like, “Do you want to go for dinner?” And you’re like, “I have to go sit in a quiet room for the night, I think.” I think those days are really special, because you’re like, “This is work. This is mad.”
Rory: Big time. Doing the Belton festivals like that, I had the giggles at Belton for four days, and everyone was there, and then you kept forgetting that like certain characters don’t know other characters. So, I kept giggling with Conor who plays Ned. And I thought, actually, Murtagh doesn’t know who Ned is, but he just, you go, “Right, come on, professional. Be professional.” Yeah, I think we are very lucky, not to sound trite.
Sadhbh: Yeah.
Lauren: Yeah. Thank you all so much. Really appreciate your time.
Rory: Thank you, guys.
Tony: Thank you.
Lauren: Thanks, Samil.
Rory: Have lovely days. Same.
MORE INFO: Official Site Trailer for episode 5
ABOUT OUTLANDER: BLOOD OF MY BLOOD
“Outlander: Blood of my Blood” is a romantic saga that unfolds across time. From the battlefields of World War I to the rugged Highlands of 18th century Scotland, two fated couples must defy the forces that seek to tear them apart, intersecting in surprising and unforeseen ways.
After 11 years of epic romance on the groundbreaking series “Outlander,” the timeless tale continues — or rather begins — on the eve of an earlier Jacobite rebellion. A prequel to “Outlander,” the series explores the lives and relationships of two couples as they fight against all odds to be together: the parents of “Outlander’s” Claire Beauchamp — Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine); and those of “Outlander’s” Jamie Fraser — Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy). In addition to Corfield, Irvine, Slater, and Roy, “Outlander: Blood of my Blood” stars Tony Curran as Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, Séamus McLean Ross as Colum MacKenzie, Sam Retford as Dougal MacKenzie, Rory Alexander as Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, and Conor MacNeill as Ned Gowan.
The stand-alone prequel series features new cast, characters and stories welcoming viewers unfamiliar with the “Outlander” universe, while also providing origin stories of fan-favorite characters from early seasons of “Outlander,” and offering new perspectives that will change what viewers of the original series think they know.
New episodes of “Outlander: Blood of my Blood” will air weekly on Fridays at 8:00 pm ET/PT on STARZ in the U.S. and at 9:00 pm ET/PT in Canada.
Matthew B. Roberts serves as showrunner and executive producer on “Outlander: Blood of my Blood,” with Ronald D. Moore, Maril Davis and Jim Kohlberg also serving as executive producers. “Outlander: Blood of my Blood” is produced by Sony Pictures Television.
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About STARZ
STARZ (NASDAQ: STRZ) is the leading premium entertainment destination for women and underrepresented audiences, and home to some of the most popular franchises and series on television. STARZ offers a robust programming mix for discerning adult audiences, including boundary-breaking originals and an expansive lineup of blockbuster movies, and is embodied by its brand positioning “We’re All Adults Here.” Complementary to any platform or service, STARZ is available across a wide range of digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors and is a bundling partner of choice. STARZ is powered by an industry-leading advanced technology, data analytics and digital infrastructure and the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app.
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Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry’s leading content providers, producing, distributing and carrying programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to managing one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving global content business, operating a robust portfolio of wholly-owned and joint-venture production companies across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, as well as linear and digital channels around the world. SPT is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation.
Rory Alexander is a British actor, also known for his work as a voice actor and content creator. His acting credits include roles in the TV series Alex Rider, Pistol, and Outlander: Blood of My Blood, and the film Inland. He is also a sim racing content creator on YouTube, known as EERIEISSSS.
Sadhbh Malin is a graduate from The Lir Academy’s BA Acting. Her play “In Heat” debuted at this year’s Dublin Fringe Festival, produced by Philomena Productions. Recent theatre credits include “Portia Coughlan” (Almeida Theatre); “Lights Out” (Four Rivers Theatre); “Steward of Christendom” (Gate Theatre, Dublin) and “Dubliners” (Corn Exchange). She made her feature film debut in Love Rosie with Lily Collins, Sam Claflin, Jaime Winston and Suki Waterhouse in 2014. She was recently seen in “Conversations with Friends,” the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel.
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Fuller (“Quarry,” “Rectify” and “Locke & Key”) and co-creator Erin Lee Carr (“Britney vs Spears,” “I Love You, Now Die” and “Mommy Dead and Dearest”). Nick Antosca (“A Friend of the Family,” “The Act” and “Candy”) and Alex Hedlund for Eat the Cat are executive producers along with Mandy Matney, David Moses and Bill Johnson. Steven Piet executive produced and directed episodes 101, 102 and 108. Patricia Arquette and Jason Clarke also serve as executive producers. UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.
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Christopher Gorham stars as Travis in SHERIFF COUNTRY. Also on the horizon for fall is Hulu’s Korean spy drama, “Tempest,” in which he stars alongside John Cho.
Gorham made his feature film directorial debut with the comedy “We Love You, Sally Carmichael!” in which he also starred alongside Jack McBrayer, Bitsie Tulloch and Paula Marshall.
Reddick on Netflix’s hit show Ozark, and Rori Barnhill in Season 3 of the USA Network show, The Sinner. She can also be seen in several guest star appearances including Tulsa King, Matlock, FBI: Most Wanted, and NCIS: New Orleans. Recently Dani was in On Swift Horses with Daisy Edgar Jones, in Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore 2 and her upcoming projects include Amazon’s The Runarounds, and For All Mankind on Apple TV.
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Roberto Clemente, Jr., eldest son of Roberto Clemente, is a philanthropist, entrepreneur, former broadcaster, and professional baseball player. Roberto Sr. used his platform and immense athletic gift to serve others and devote his short life to helping make the world a better place, something Roberto Jr. has sought to emulate. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the first seven years of Roberto Jr.’s life were spent between Puerto Rico and Pittsburgh, PA. After his father’s untimely death in a 1972 plane crash, while taking relief supplies to Nicaragua earthquake victims, Roberto Jr. became his father’s voice and the spokesperson for the family. He went on to establish the Roberto Clemente Foundation, an organization committed to aiding at-risk youth, disaster relief, and promoting global service leadership. Throughout the last 30 years of the foundation’s existence, Roberto Jr. and the team have helped thousands of children and their families.
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