It comes naturally for Sam Heughan to portray the strong and gallant Jamie Fraser in Starz's Outlander, but it was very different when the finale episode required him to act as a victim of a brutal sexual assault. While now filming for a second season, the actor said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that he still has a hangover from the Season One finale.
The season finale was dubbed as the "darkest scene" in the show, but 34-year-old Heughan believes it had to be done.
"We didn't want to do something that was graphic or hard to watch," he said in a report by The Wrap.
"It was about understanding what Jamie's gone through so we know where he is the rest of the season and subsequent seasons."
Heughan also added that he had spent a lot of time dwelling on the character's fate on the show and had discussed with producers what he needed to do to make the audience see and feel the story.
So far, Heughan's controversial portrayal paid off because that last episode garnered positive reactions. The report said that the actor initially felt nervous about how viewers would react, only to find that the portrayal really left a good impression.
All's going well for Outlander, as Season 2 is confirmed to be underway and in fact, the actor promised it will be a "bigger and better" show.
Season 2 production features Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie escaping from British Soldiers in Scotland and heading towards France.
Heughan also revealed in his interview that the film location is on the East Coast of Scotland and opening scenes will be on a French sea court.
Moreover, he added that several French actors will be appearing on the next season.
The producers have not given a specific date for Season Two's release, but the show is scheduled to air by 2016.
