Outlander Bloopers That'll Change How You Watch The Show
"Outlander" is a sweeping, romantic saga that has gripped audiences since the series first aired on Starz in 2014. The epic period piece tells the story of Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), an English nurse from the 1940s who finds herself transported back in time to 18th century Scotland. There she meets Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), a young and handsome Highlander, along with several members of the prominent MacKenzie clan. Together, Jamie and Claire form a romance for the ages — one that must stand against the trials of war, separation, and time.
For five seasons, "Outlander" has captivated fans with its riveting storytelling and powerfully written characters. Much of the series showcases the harrowing ordeals of living in such dangerous times, making for truly compelling drama. This solemn setting means that very few moments on the show are written for laughs — but that doesn't mean that the "Outlander" cast and crew haven't had their fair share of fun on set. Just check out these bloopers, and you'll see the show in a whole different light.
Caitriona Balfe used Bill Paterson's real name by mistake
Actors working together on a set for long hours and days (maybe even years) at a time can become like family — so much so that the line between reality and fiction becomes blurred. In Season 1 of "Outlander," Claire travels to the MacKenzie estate of Castle Leoch, where she is introduced to prominent members of the renowned Highlander clan. She also becomes acquainted with Ned Gowan, Clan MacKenzie's legal advisor, whose kindness helps to put Claire at ease. Ned is played by actor Bill Paterson, who has a recurring role throughout the series.
In a blooper from the Season 1 outtake compilation, Caitriona Balfe (as Claire) is in a panic when she calls for the lawyer's aid — only she gasps out Bill's name, not Ned's. As Balfe and the other background actors begin to laugh at her mistake, Paterson looks to the camera with a smile, saying, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, Bill Paterson, this is the 'Bill Paterson Show!' We're just here for two nights." The slip-up is understandable, and Paterson's clever response makes for an amusing outtake.
Sam Heughan insisted he didn't need direction for this love scene
"Outlander" is a historical period drama, but it is also an epic romance. The chemistry between Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe helps to convince the audience that their characters are not only deeply in love but can barely keep their hands off each other. However, getting those sizzling scenes right is a collaborative process that takes more than just two participants in the bedroom.
In one outtake from the Season 1 blooper reel, we see Jamie and Claire on their wedding night, when the two are together for the first time. The final scene is sensual and sexy, but you can bet that it took time and effort to get it to that point. In the shot, Heughan and Balfe are standing very close, and Balfe is caressing his chest. Off-camera, we hear a voice, presumably the director, say the word "breast," instructing actor Heughan where to touch his co-star. Heughan replies, "I got it, don't you worry," prompting a snicker from Balfe.
You have to give the actors credit — performing such an intimate moment in front of a camera crew has to be awkward, so there are bound to be a few jokes to help break the ice. Yet as the years have gone by, Balfe and Heughan have taken to the steamier scenes very well.
Sam Heughan got a little too rough and broke a prop
As "Outlander" moves into Season 2, viewers see Jamie and Claire Fraser sailing to France to change the course of history and stop the Jacobite Rising of 1745 before it began. Though the Frasers become a respected presence in the French court, it seems that nothing can sway Bonnie Prince Charlie from his quest to win back the English throne, making the doomed conflict inevitable.
Meanwhile, Jamie is traumatized by the memory of Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies), the sadistic English officer who abused him for months. This causes a rift between Jamie and Claire as Jamie struggles to heal from his emotional wounds. In a scene at the beginning of Episode 2, "Not in Scotland Anymore," Jamie has a nightmare in which he sees Randall in his bed instead of Claire, and proceeds to viciously stab his tormentor, covering both of them in blood.
It's an intense moment that delves deep into Jamie's tortured psyche, yet a blooper from that scene changes the mood entirely. In the Season 2 blooper reel, Sam Heughan can be seen grunting and stabbing the knife with impressive vigor. He stops suddenly and gives the camera a sheepish look, then holds up the prop knife to reveal that it has been bent in half. Oops — it looks like Heughan got a little too much into character for that one.
Graham McTavish's equine co-star decided to relax
There's a famous saying often attributed to legendary comedian W.C. Fields, which states, "Never work with children or animals." In Season 2's "Prestonpans," tensions are high between Jamie Fraser and Dougal MacKenzie (Graham McTavish). On the brink of battle between the Highlanders and the British soldiers, Dougal seems to have trouble falling in line under Jamie's command.
As a test of his loyalty, Jamie sends Dougal out to inspect a soggy marsh between the two camps, to see if it would be fit as a battlefield. The order seems simple enough, except that the field is within shooting range of the enemy English camp, making Dougal an easy target. Still, Dougal proves his obedience by riding bravely into the open field. Sure enough, the English begin firing at him, and one bullet even manages to punch a hole through his hat.
In an outtake of that scene, McTavish dismounts and inspects the damage to his cap. Next to him, we can see that his horse decides at that very moment to relieve itself — although McTavish admirably manages to push through the scene.
Sam Heughan made a joke about a favorite Jamaican pass time
Though the beginning of "Outlander" mainly takes place in the Scottish Highlands, later seasons travel the world. In Season 3, Jamie and Claire take to the high seas in a quest to save their nephew, Young Ian (John Bell), who pirates have kidnaped. Their journey leads them to Jamaica, where Jamie reunites with Lord John Grey (David Berry), and Claire discovers that her friend Geillis (Lotte Verbeek) still lives. As it turns out, Geillis has taken Young Ian captive and has a dark plan in place to change the course of the future.
In the Season 3 episode "The Doldrums," Jamie hires the Artemis to help track down Young Ian. They discover that the vessel that took Ian makes its port in Jamaica, so they head that way. The island country is known for many things, including its music, fine cuisine, and tropical climate. However, it is also frequently stereotyped as a hotspot of Cannabis culture. In a blooper from one scene, actor Sam Heughan references this, remarking, "Ah, Jamaica! Make sure you don't smoke too much weed!"
Caitriona had to deal with an over-affectionate snake in this blooper
In "Outlander" Season 3, Claire finds herself aboard the Porpoise under the ambitious Captain Leonard (Charlie Hiett), who enlists her aid as a healer. A case of typhoid has ravaged the ship, and only Claire's medical knowledge can save the sailors' lives. However, things take a turn for the worse when Claire learns that Captain Leonard knows about a warrant for Jamie's arrest and plans to turn her husband in. Claire must make a daring escape to warn Jamie, and does so by jumping overboard.
Washing up on a seemingly deserted island, Claire wanders the tropical landscape in search of help. Before she finds any assistance, she must first survive obstacles that threaten her very survival, including scorching heat, a lack of potable water, and the local wildlife. In a tense scene, Claire wakes up to find a huge snake slithering over her body. She holds her breath as she waits for the dangerous creature to pass by.
In a blooper of that scene, actor Caitriona Balfe seems perfectly comfortable working with her reptilian co-star — until the snake decides to venture into unknown territory. With a squeal and a giggle, Balfe informs the crew that the snake is making its way into her skirt. While she's not actually in any danger, it still seems a little too close for comfort.
Caitriona's fly away skirt was a big distraction in this blooper
There's nothing like a good old sea shanty, especially when performed by happy sailors at sea. In a scene from the Season 3 episode "Heaven and Earth," the crew of the Porpoise is in high spirits, thanks to Claire's life-saving medical treatment, which has eradicated the epidemic on board. As Claire makes her way onto the deck to walk among the crew, the sailors lift their cups and offer her smiles of gratitude while they sing a happy ditty.
In the Season 3 gag reel, a blooper shows a much different version of that scene. As Caitriona Balfe makes her way up to the ship's deck, a gust of wind lifts her skirt from behind, causing it to balloon like a sail. Perhaps hoping no one will notice, Balfe quickly pushes the dress down and continues with the scene. However, the action did not escape the notice of the background actors, as their singing voices die down and the song abruptly ends. With a laugh, Balfe asks, "What happened?" A few half-hearted voices try to start up the song again, but the damage is done. With a sheepish grin, Balfe announces, "I'm the song killer!" getting a laugh from the cast and crew.
Duncan LaCroix got tongue-tied trying to say this song title
Murtagh Fitzgibbons (Duncan Lacroix) has been by Jamie Fraser's side for nearly all his life. As Jamie's godfather, Murtagh practically raised Jamie. He is the only other person that Claire and Jamie trust with Claire's secret, and he has always proven himself to be a faithful friend.
In the "Outlander" Season 1 episode "The Search," Murtagh and Claire hatch a plan to find Jamie, who is being held by the Redcoats. At first, their efforts prove unsuccessful — thanks to Murtagh's underwhelming dancing skills — but then Claire suggests that Murtagh "jazz up" his performance with a lively tune. As an example, she sings a few bars from the 1940s classic by The Andrews Sisters, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy."
After the failure of the Jacobite Rising of 1745 in Season 3, Murtagh is separated from the Frasers and taken to America. They are reunited over 20 years later when Claire and Jamie make their new home in the colonies. Upon seeing Murtagh again for the first time in decades, Claire utters, "Murtagh?" To which her old friend replies, "Well, it's not the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy!"
In an outtake from the Season 4 blooper reel, actor Duncan Lacroix can't quite get out this mouthful of a line. Instead, he stammers, "Well, it's not the Bugle Boogie Boogie Boogie Boy," and he and co-star Caitriona Balfe hug each other as they crack up.
Billy Boyd's mess-up gave this line a whole different meaning
In "Outlander" Season 4, Claire and Jamie's daughter Brianna (Sophie Skelton) stays with Jocasta Cameron (Maria Doyle Kennedy) in River Run, while Jamie, Claire, and Young Ian try and rescue Brianna's betrothed, Roger MacKenzie (Richard Rankin), from the Mohawk. Little does Brianna know that her aunt has plans to arrange a marriage for her in the event that Roger does not come home. Brianna reluctantly joins a formal dinner, in which she catches the eyes of Lieutenant Wolff (Lee Boardman) and Jocasta's lawyer, Gerald Forbes (Billy Boyd).
During the dinner, Brianna attempts to entertain the guests by conducting a 20th-century psychological experiment, known as the Walk in the Forest, which is a relational psychology test, per Higher Perspectives. After explaining the results of the exercise, Brianna suddenly feels faint and must excuse herself from the table. Hoping to win her favor, Forbes stops Brianna to ask if she wants to hear who his "forest companion" was and invite her to take a walk with him to discuss it.
In an outtake of this scene, actor Billy Boyd has trouble communicating the line and turns it into something more suggestive. Though the shot focuses on Boardman as Lieutenant Wolff, we can hear Boyd say, "I'm eager to tell you about my forest... what?" The reaction from Boardman is hilarious, as he chuckles and then uses the "cut" gesture to warn Boyd against telling Brianna about his "forest."
Richard Rankin can't remember his character's name in this outtake
Poor Brianna and Roger deal with their share of hardships when they travel back in time to the 18th century. Roger is beaten by a vengeful Jamie, Brianna is held captive by Laoghaire (Nell Hudson), and both have run-ins with the nefarious Stephen Bonnet (Edward Speleers). Yet the two finally find their long-deserved happiness in the "Outlander" Season 5 premiere, "The Fiery Cross."
After Roger returns safe and sound after his ordeal with the Mohawk and Brianna gives birth to a healthy son, the couple is ready to cement their union and declare their marriage vows. It's a heart-warming scene as Roger and Brianna stand before the minister with their family and friends in attendance.
Even as beautiful as the wedding scene is, there were still some behind-the-scenes bumps in the road. In one blooper, actor Richard Rankin as Roger is reciting his vows, and doing a wonderful job of it — until he says the wrong name, that is. But it's not his wife's name that he botches — it's his own. The line Rankin is supposed to say is, "I, Roger Jeremiah MacKenzie," but in this outtake, he mistakenly calls himself just Jeremiah. With a laugh, his co-star Sophie Skelton tells him, "You're not called Jeremiah," to which Rankin responds, "What's my name again?" Well, maybe we can cut him some slack — he's only been playing the character for three years.