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Outlander: Twitter Q&A, Graham McTavish (Sept. 5, 2014)

Graham McTavish, Dougal in the Outlander series, took another turn today answering fan questions on Twitter. Please note that some images in this article are from the upcoming fifth episode, but none will be “spoilers” of any kind.

Q How difficult is it to film in the rain/mud?
A Harder for Cait, wearing only a shift!

Q If you weren’t an actor what profession would you choose?
A Was going to be a pilot, like my Dad.

Q Do you have any advice for your costars in your absence?
A Get immediate help!

Q Is it great to not have to spend a lot of time in the makeup chair like The Hobbit?
A I can’t tell you the feeling I get looking at other people having wigs put on! Very satisfying!

Q How old were you when you decided you wanted to be an actor? Name one of your favorite actors?
A 17 years old, too many great actors to mention.

Q Do you think you could have survived had you lived in Dougal’s time?
A Travelling back in time? I’d like to think so, but in reality…

Q That shinty scene was amazing! Did you play sports growing up?
A Yes, football, rugby, field hockey, athletics, etc.

Q What is your next project before Season 2?
A “The Finest Hours” for Disney.

Q What is your favorite memory from shooting the show?
A The people.

Q Does Dougal respect or fear Claire?
A He admires her, is intrigued by her…

Q Did you ad lib any of your lines?
A Some popped up…

Q Flavored or non-flavored lattes?
A Never flavored!

Q As was seen last week Dougal has a complex personality. Do you see him as an evil or as a compassionate guy?
A He is  a man of complex layers. Dangerous, loyal, treacherous, and compassionate.

Q Have you kept the beard since you finished Outlander?
A You betcha!

Q What’s the “real life” name of the beautiful horse you ride in Outlander?
A Lambert!

Outlander 2014

Q Which of Dougal’s many facet is your fave to portray?
A I’m interested in vulnerability.

Q Is there a special school for eyebrow acting?
A It’s a very select group…

Q Who is your “constant” among the cast/crew?
A Whoever makes the coffee…

Q Did Claire crack your skull with a foam chair?
A Foam!! No, it was a breakaway chair.

Q Who or what inspired you to start acting?
A I got into it through writing my own material.

Q Which cast member has the saltiest language?
A That might be … me…

Q What’s your favorite place to visit in the world?
A I loved India.

Q Who is the funniest person on set?
A LaCroix (Murtagh) makes ME laugh!

Q Who is the prankster in the cast?
A Stephen (Angus) has been known to…

Q I didn’t read the book. Should I read the book?
A Yes!

Q What do you like to do in your free time… hobbies/sports?
A Reading, history, cycling, drawing.

Q Was there anything about filming Outlander that surprised you?
A Horses go to the toilet A LOT.
DIANA: rofl! Thanks for that mental picture.

Q How do you get a horse to go to the toilet?
A Build a big one…

Q Asking about horse tac… Did they modify it or is it authentic period tac? Amazing animals.
A Period, I believe.

Q Did you already know how to ride? Do you have a favorite horse to ride?
A I’ve ridden before, yes.

Q You’re obviously a scotch drinker – enjoy those posts. But do you have a favourite Scottish ale?
A IPA of any kind.

Q Are you anything like Dougal MacKenzie? Or is the transformation between Graham and Dougal a drastic one?
A Some things, but I won’t tell you what…

Q Is there anything you’d like to take home from the sets?
A My weapons…

Q How is it like to shoot in your homeland?
A A joy, and a privilege!

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Q What role was your first paid performance?
A Paris in Romeo and Juliet… long ago…

Q Was there a lot of horseplay/jokes played between cast members on set? And if so can you share?
A Yes, not enough room here to share… one day…

Q How long does it take to shoot one full episode?
A Between 22-27 days for every 2 episodes.

Q Who was your role model as a kid?
A My father.

Q Do you have any idea why Dougal would kill Jamie if Dougal is so fond of him?
A He is complex…

Q Favorite swear word?
A I like to combine them.

Q What is Dougal’s favorite thing about Graham?
A We have matching beards.

Q Do you believe Dougal is an honorable man?
A Yes, sometimes.

Q Do you miss wearing a kilt?
A How do you know I’m not wearing it now?

Q Do you think having a beard makes you an alpha male?
A I think it keeps me warm in the winter.

Q Who would fill the bloopers reel?I hope it’s on the DVD.
A There’s a lot of competition.

Q Where is Outlander filmed?
A God’s own country, Scotland.

Q What is it like to work with the horses?
A They don’t talk over you.

Q The shinty game in Ep 104 was crazy! How long did it take to film?
A A whole day.

6

Q Important question: What is your favorite brand of whisky? Need a suggestion.
A Too many…

Q Is this your family tartan?
A That’s the modern version.

tartan

Q What’s your favourite character from literature?
A Becky Sharp,Vanity Fair… great stuff.

Q Do you wish to return to the stage at some point?
A Yes, one day.

Q Where was your cover photo taken? I feel I recognize it.
A Mount Cook, NZ

graham photo

Q After four episodes, my secret crush on Dougal isn’t so secret any more. Thanks.
A I won’t tell…
Diana: Type faster, Graham, they’re gaining on you!

Q If you were not playing Dougal, what other role would you have liked to play?
A Sadly the beard would stop me playing Geillis.

Q Do you prefer pants or your kilt?
A Nothing feels like a kilt.

terry

Q Since you brought it up, what are you wearing right now?
A My costume for The Finest Hours.

Q What’s the best thing about the Scots?
A Their humour and their compassion.

Q Best distilleries to tour on Islay?
A Take your time, do them all…

Q Who do you believe would win a fight to the death, Dwalin or Dougal?
A They’d never fight.

Q I would like to know how would Dougal react if he was to be sent to the future?
A Good question…I think he’d jump at the chance.

Q Do you think that this phenomenal show will help bring our beloved Gaelic back and promote fluency?
A I hope it will raise awareness of the language.

Q When you’re not filming or working do you live in the states or in Europe?
A A suitcase.

Q Favourite book by Jane Austen? I know you have read Jane Austen.
A Emma, and Pride and Prejudice.

Q Black pudding or white pudding?
A Stornoway Black.

Q Do you eat haggis?
A Absolutely!

Q When filming how accurate is your wardrobe? What’s under the kilt?
A A cool  breeze.

Q Where’s the first place to go when in Scotland?
A I love Skye and Mull.

Q Do you think Diana caught the Scottish sense of humour in her writings?
A She needed no help there, very funny.

Q Isn’t it weird that you have the same surname as Jamie’s?
A A happy coincidence.

Q Is The Beard high maintenance?
A The beard is patient and kind.

Q Can you describe Dougal in three words for me?
A Complicated, intriguing, passionate.

23

 

Q Not a question, but when the first “The Hobbit” came out, I thought “that guy (you) should be in Outlander!
A Wow, thank you!

Q Favorite period for historical study (since you mentioned you enjoy history)?
A 17th is a fave.

Q How do you feel about independence?
A I am voting YES.

Q Unicorn or dragon?
A Unicorn, the national animal of Scotland.

Q After or during filming of Outlander has it ever urged you to trace your family history back to the clans?
A I have been, fascinating.

Q Who did you meet FIRST on the set?
A Sam.

Q Good morning from New Zealand! What is the best cup of coffee you ever had and where did you have it?
A At the Sunday market in Wellington is one of my favourites.

 

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