Outlander has some new company. Recently, Starz announced Gary Young (pictured) and Charlie Hiett have joined season three of the Starz TV series.
The historical drama follows Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a married WWII combat nurse who finds herself mysteriously thrown back in time to 18th century Scotland. The cast also includes Sam Heughan, Tobias Menzies, Graham McTavish, Gary Lewis, Duncan Lacroix, Stephen Walters, Grant O’Rourke, Claire Sermonne, Rosie Day, Stanley Weber, Andrew Gower, and Lionel Lingelser.
In season three, Young will play Mr. Willoughby, “a talented poet in exile, with an even deeper love of women.” Hiett has been cast as Captain Thomas Leonard. The new season of Outlander is expected to debut later this year.
From Starz:
Beverly Hills, Calif., January 30, 2017 – Filming continues on OUTLANDER Book 3 in Scotland and Starz, in association with Sony Pictures Television, is delighted to announce new cast for the new year. Joining this international production for 2017 are Gary Young who will play ‘Mr. Willoughby.’ Additionally, Charlie Hiett will join in the role of ‘Captain Thomas Leonard.’
A Chinese man with a deep knowledge of Eastern medicine, Mr. Willoughby is a talented poet in exile, with an even deeper love of women. Willoughby, a confidante of Jamie Fraser, speaks English well, but hides it when it suits him. He is even more of an outsider than Claire in 18th century Scotland.
New Zealand native Gary Young, a graduate of the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in London and Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School, most recently appeared in the Netflix feature “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny” and the Australian mini-series “Secret City.” He also featured in “Xena: Warrior Princess,” “Power Rangers” and Jane Campion’s “Top of the Lake.”
Charlie Hiett joins the cast as the British Captain Thomas Leonard. Leonard is the inexperienced, by-the-book de facto captain of the Artemis. Promoted quickly due to the untimely deaths of his commanding officers, Leonard takes his job very seriously, though it weighs heavily on his young shoulders. A third lieutenant, he never thought he would be the captain of a man-of-war ship. Above all, he wants to do what is right by the British Navy — whether or not it is right by his own personal morals.
Charlie Hiett trained at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and has been a rising star since then with roles in Television and Theatre. Highlights include playing William Kent in “The Suspicions of Mr Whincher” on ITV and having roles in “Judge John Deed” and “M.I. High.” Theatre credits include playing Sandy Tyrell in “Hayfever” and Sebastian in “Twelfth Night.”
“Outlander” is based on Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books and adapted for television by Ronald D. Moore (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”). “Book Three” will be based on the third of eight books in the Outlander series, entitled Voyager.
The story picks up right after Claire (Caitriona Balfe) travels through the stones to return to her life in 1948. Now pregnant, she struggles with the fallout of her sudden reappearance and its effect on her marriage to her first husband, Frank (Tobias Menzies). Meanwhile, in the 18th century, Jamie suffers from the aftermath of his doomed last stand at the historic battle of Culloden, as well as the loss of Claire. As the years pass, Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire attempt to make a life apart from one another, each haunted by the memory of their lost love. The budding possibility that Claire can return to Jamie in the past breathes new hope into Claire’s heart… as well as new doubt. Separated by continents and centuries, Claire and Jamie must find their way back to each other. As always, adversity, mystery, and adventure await them on the path to reunion. And the question remains: when they find each other, will they be the same people who parted at the standing stones, all those years ago?
Filming began for the 13-episode third season in August 2016 in Scotland and the production will move to South Africa in March 2017.
Diana Gabaldon’s eight-book series has sold more than 26 million copies worldwide and all eight books in the series have graced the New York Times best-sellers list. The “Outlander” series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history and adventure in one grandiose tale.
Ronald D. Moore, Maril Davis, Matthew B. Roberts, Toni Graphia, Anne Kenney and Andy Harries serve as executive producers of “Outlander,” which is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining & Supply Company and Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television.
What do you think? Do you watch Outlander? Are you excited for season three?
Never have I been so driven to read a book series as I have with Outlander. Now with the TV Series I have been come most impatient to see the next season. Waiting too for a possible 9th book to complete the story line. When will it air in Canada?
What of the info I’ve been reading about book 9? In one interview she stated it may be released around season 3 premier?? Is there even an estimated release date for book 9?? Thank you
I have devoured the entire series of the “Outlander” novels. My sincere congratulations to Starz for their impeccable productions that have remained so true to the novels. Even my husband, a Texas cowboy, loves these films and wouldn’t miss an episode!
At age 69, discovery of “Outlander” (both Starz Production and novels) has been the greatest reading adventure of my life! I do hope I live long enough to read the finale of the story. My sincere thanks th Diana Ganaldon and Ron ymoore for giving me the fictional adventure of my life! Sincerely, D. Rader