Paley Fest 2015: Outlander

Night five of the 32nd annual Paley Fest took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood last night with the much-buzzed about Starz drama Outlander, based on the international best-seller by Diana Gabaldon, being honored.

Amid a visit by the President of the United States himself to the city directly across the street from the Dolby Theatre for Jimmy Kimmel Live, fans of this intensely popular new series clamored to get inside the hallowed grounds where the Oscars are held in order to catch a glimpse of the actors who portray legendary characters Clare Randall, Jamie Fraser, Frank Randall and dastardly Black Jack Randall: Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan and Tobias Menzies as well as the executive producer of the series Ronald D. Moore and the woman behind it all Diana Gabaldon herself.

The night got off to an electrical start because the excited audience was treated to an early screening of the much-anticipated mid-season premiere, episode 9 entitled “The Reckoning” that will air on Starz on Saturday, April 4 after a nearly 6 and ½ months hiatus that became known on social media as “Droughtlander”.

Needless to say, those in the audience were not disappointed by the episode – which is told from the perspective of Jamie Fraser this time instead of the normal POV of Claire. Beyond that audience was held to secrecy so as not to spoil the countless other fans and viewers who are waiting with baited breath for the new episode to air.

The panel itself was filled with plenty of laughs, some fun and games and a liberal dose of whiskey. Yes, you read that correctly: whiskey. Moderator Kristin dos Santos from E! Online helmed the panel and she brought with her a bottle of Outlander whiskey that was served to the panelist. And, as you can guess, the panelists took part in the Scottish version of “I have never” drinking game, which not only loosened up the participants but also set the tone for the rest of the night.

Once the drinking game was completed, though, Caitriona and Sam were asked when they knew that their playing the lead roles was going to work with Caitriona sharing that she knew it during their chemistry read. Diana and Ron then were asked how soon they knew that Sam and Caitriona were the right actors to cast in the lead roles and they both agreed that they knew when they saw their submission clips. In fact, Diana said she was astonished because Cait and Sam were the characters from the beginning.

When talk of the darkness in the storylines that are fast approaching was discussed, Ron shared that the show “does go to some harrowing places”, but that he is “very proud” of the way the episodes came together to a “satisfying end”.

The cast were then asked if they had read the books or knew much about what was coming with the storylines with Tobias staying he “didn’t know much at all, (but) that it’s been quite a journey”. Although he did joke that if he knew where the stories were all head that he “probably wouldn’t have signed up”. Sam then chimed in to say he read the first book in preparation for the role, but that “you don’t (always) know where it is (going to) go, (but) you have a general idea.”

Another game was then introduced with Caitriona and Sam being asked to do a mini version of ‘The Newlywed Game’ where they answered several questions in unison and eliciting enough more laughs from the audience.

Once that game came to a close, Diana was asked if she had a favorite moment in the show so far or a particular piece of dialogue from the show for which she was adamant had to be included in the show. She shared that her favorite moments are the scenes shared between Angus and Rupert and the one piece of dialogue that had to be included was Jamie assuring Claire that she was safe at Castle Leoch as long as she was with him. Sam then chimed in that while some of the lines of dialogue that play such a key part in the book may not appear in the exact same spot in the show, they are usually used at some point.

With that thought in mind, Ron was then asked how closely the rest of season one and into season two (which will be based on the second book in the Outlander franchise) will follow the books. He shared that basically he “plans to stick as close as possible to the books”, but there will be changes made simply due to the different forms (books versus TV). We are (the writers’ room) “are intent to stay as close as possible (while) serving both masters (again books versus TV).”

Tobias was then asked about playing two such drastically different characters, sharing that he “tries to serve the scene and the story”. He also shared that he is “keen for it to be a subtle difference”, though. This then lead into a discussion between Tobias and Ron about how Tobias changes just from a change of costuming; that plays a key part in how Tobias stands, carries himself and gets into character.

When asked what the fans can do to get the show acknowledged by more than just the People’s Choice Awards, Ron was honest in saying that there really “isn’t anything (the fans and viewers) an do to change (how the awards are given out).” He admitted while it is “nice and meaningful” to be honored, at the same time he has to “trust that what we’ve done” is the best we can do.

The evening came to a close almost too quickly with a number of questions from the very exuberant audience and then the amorous crowd rushed to the stage to get autographs and pictures taken with the cast and creatives minds behind the show.

Outlander will return to Starz for the remainder of its debut season (eight more episodes) on Saturday, April 4 at 9/8c.

Photo Credit: Michael Bulbenko and Rob Latour for Paley Center for Media