Maril Davis, producer of Outlander and superfan, chatted with the world on Twitter today. Here’s the transcript of her chat:
Q If u had to pick one to Bed, Wed, and Leave for Dead, how would you dole it out between Dougal, Jamie and Frank?
A LOL Not sure I can answer this one, because I have to work with the actors playing these roles!! 🙂
Q Have you read all of the Outlander books/companion books? Has (Diana) shared unpublished writings with you?
A Yes and Yes.
Q Are there are any spoilers in the unpublished works?
A Maybe… 😉
Q Will you get a break before filming of season two starts or just go straight into it?
A We will get a mini-break before we dive into Season two. #thankthelordsofKobol
Q How mini is a minibreak?
A Two weeks.
Q As a fan of the book, what scene did you want to see the most?
A So hard to pick just one, but I’d say I was interested to see how we’d pull off the spanking scene.
Q How many weeks will there be between the first and second halves of season 1?
A Honestly, I don’t know. That’s a (Starz) question.
Q Which restaurant were you in in Vancouver when you first talked Outlander with Ron and Terry?
A It wasn’t a restaurant. We were having dinner at a house Ron and Terry had rented.
Q Is the crew (not just the cast) really feeling the overwhelmingly positive approval of fans? How does it show?
A YES! We are all so appreciative of amazing support. The fans have been great!!
Q What’s the most annoying 21st century interference when you are on location?
A Telephone poles/wires.
Q Even before being renewed were you planning on how to bring Dragonfly in Amber to screen? Biggest challenges to this?
A We definitely talked about it. Impossible not to talk about future books while breaking first season.
Q Besides the coincidence of hair style, do you have other things in common with Claire?
A LOL – well, some would accuse me of being ballsy and outspoken, so I guess there’s THAT coincidence as well! 😉
Q Sam Heughan, in his Q&A, talked about 12+ hour shooting days. Do you yourself have to be on set the entire time?
A I’m usually on set or at the office. I split my time between the two.
Q Having so many responsibilities on your shoulders, how do you decompress at the end of the day?
A Who says I decompress? 😉 Hard to decompress when you’re in a different time zone than your studio and network.
Q Why do you switch directors every two episodes? Will you do this again in Season 2/13 episodes?
A We have to switch directors every block. Too hard to prep episodes if you don’t.
Q Can you tell us if Sir Marcus MacRannoch was part of the adaptation of books?
A Yes! We cast Frazer Hines in the role of the man responsible for (Diana) setting books in Scotland.
(following some questioning of the role Frazer Hines will play – he will actually play the Wentworth Governor, Maril also responded) – SO SORRY! Misread the question. Not sure we’ve announced who’s playing MacRannoch, but he IS in the show!
Q How does it feel to know that you are recreating a world that so many people have imagined?
A It weighs heavy on my shoulders. But, I’ve been encouraged by the positive reaction so far. And PS, I’m only one of MANY people responsible for recreating this world!
Q How did you come up with the name Tall Ships?
A That was all Ron. He’s fond of naval history!
Q Are you surviving the cold weather conditions? It must be hard on the actors and crew.
A Barely. I think I missed the summer here. So cold!!! 🙂
Q Which was your favorite book and have you had a favorite scene so far?
A Love them all, especially the mother ship (Outlander) but I think Breath of Snow and Ashes is right up there.
Q I know it’s a labour of love, but has it also been one of your toughest projects?
A This is by far the toughest project I’ve worked on. Due to weather, locations and the sheer size of the show.
Q Can you convince Duncan LaCroix to tweet? Or at least say hello to us? #MurtaghsMaidensAreDuncansMaidensToo!
A LOL, honestly, no. But, I will tell him you said hello!
Q Do you have anyone cast yet for season two?
A We have not cast anyone for Season Two yet.
Q Who makes you laugh the most?
A They ALL make me laugh, but maybe a tie between Caitriona Balfe and Duncan LaCroix.
Caitriona replied: Especially when I’m playing tennis… Right!?! #laughatorlaughwith???
A You have the best slice I’ve ever seen. #totallyserious #Federerisjealous
Q Are you casting Lord John Grey for season 2?
A I hope so, although Lord John is obviously much younger in Dragonfly.
Q 13 episode season 2? Thinking of splitting the book into 2 seasons?
A No, Dragonfly will be one season, just like the first one.
Q Do you read what the critics have to say? Is it the job of someone to do so?
A It’s no one’s job, but I definitely do read what the critics write. You have to hear all sides.
Q Will you be returning to Doune for the next season?
A Probably not, since we don’t go back to Castle Leoch in Dragonfly.
Q Are the numbers of folks watching Outlander what you hoped for? Are they what we need to keep the powers happy?
A YES! So excited that the show is doing well!
Q Are you team Frank or team Jamie? (sorry for the Twilight reference. I couldn’t help it.)
A I love them both #cantpickafavoritechild!
Q So, what are you wearing to the Emmys next year? I predict a sweep!
A Boy, I hope you’re right! Don’t want to jinx it by picking my outfit now!
Q Have you had time to read Written in My Own Heart’s Blood?
A I’ve only had time to read the first few chapters. This pesky show keeps getting in the way! 😉
Q Who among the cast is most like the character they play?
A Probably Caitriona. Strong, intelligent lady with a great sense of humor!
Q Sam isn’t a heroic romantic?
A But of course! However, Sam can blink…:)
Q Did you mean wink?
A Hahahah yes. Damn these sticky fingers!
Q Thank you for keeping the fans close. Outlandia (Portland, OR fan group) is now 200 strong, and we root for you every episode (and in between)!
A Shoutout to my hometown, Portland!
Q Since you’ve already got a huge studio in Scotland, will you be filming Dragonfly here?
A Yes, we will continue to use our studio as our home base.
Q Have you given some thought into writing an ep? #season2
A Hahahaha, NO.
Q What character do you think will be the hardest to cast in Season 2?
A Brianna and Roger.
Q What character do you look forward to the most to cast from Dragonfly?
A Probably Lord John and FERGUS!!!
Q What is the most fun, watching the fans react, or watching Outlander virgins get hooked?
A Definitely watching the fans react.
Q Did Tobias Menzies read bits of both Frank and Jack in casting or did you cast on basis of his general brilliance?
A The amazingly talented Tobias read both a Frank scene and a Jack scene for his audition.
Q Do the fans help keep you guys going? We know we’re a handful!
A Yes, they do. The support is amazing and keeps us going on tough days.
Q Are you and do you think Sam is relieved that all the really bad stuff is behind him? I know I am. On to Paris!
A Who says the bad stuff’s behind him?
Q Does (Matt Roberts) also do scouting for locations? Do you go location hunting? They have been spectacular!
A Yes he does and I do too. All the writers/producers scout locations for their block.
Q Are there different producers for each block? Thought it was only the writers and directors.
A All of our writers are also producers. So, a different writer/producer covers each block.
Q Is anyone keeping costumes? They’re sooo good!
A No, probably not. However Terry told me I could have Claire’s coat with the fur trim….;) #Iwish
Q Are the actors as excited for Season 2 as we are? Perhaps they’re a wee bit knackered right at this moment.
A We’re all tired, but also INCREDIBLY excited about Season Two!
Q Were you a fan of the books before working on Outlander?
A Um, YES! This was my passion project. Matt Roberts gave me books years ago. Loved them. Pitched them to Ron.
Q Favorite whisky?
A I like @scapa.
Q How do you decide on directors?
A We look at their past work and also interview them and get references.
Q Will you be joining Ron in an podcast during the season? I love the podcasts.
A I don’t know. He hasn’t asked! 😉
Q Think he loves me… My man is watching Outlander with me. Did cast and crew’s significant others know the series before filming?
A I would say most of the cast and crew had never heard of the books before they started working on the show.
Q Did any of the cast know Gaelic prior to the project, or do they have language lessons on the set?
A I don’t think they did, alhough Caitriona knows Irish Gaelic. Not that she uses that in the show! 😉
Q *on bended knees* Do any of you guys know why Outlander is not airing in the UK?! #Desperate
A No clue and it’s very sad. We feel HORRIBLE about it!
Q What was it like to meet Diana for the first time?
A Fabulous! Miss Diana is a pretty amazing lady!
