Colin McFarlane delves into Outlander books to understand Ulysses

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly /
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Many Outlander fans wonder if the actors ever read the books before taking on the roles. Well, Colin McFarlane now certainly has.

When Colin McFarlane was first cast as Ulysses for Outlander Season 4, fans wondered whether he was a novel fan. Had he even picked up the fourth book to get an idea of his character? If he hadn’t, how could he possibly portray a character from the books well enough?

Well, don’t fear, Sassenachs as our own Ulysses has found himself hooked on the books. Oh, and he didn’t start with “Drums of Autumn,” but jumped straight to the sixth book, “A Breath of Snow and Ashes” by the looks of his tweets. It may seem like an odd choice of book to jump straight into, but it’s worked. The actor now shares that he’s hooked on the series, created by Diana Gabaldon more than two decades ago.

McFarlane shared that he couldn’t believe Malva Christie’s actions, but gave absolutely no spoilers away about the storyline. However, plenty of fans agreed with him about his initial thoughts. It looks like Claire and Jamie will have another devious woman in their lives in the future (or past…time travel gives me a headache).

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&Watch Outlander with a FREE 7-day trial of Amazon Channels! /

The actor says that he is reading the novels for research. He wants to delve deeper into who Ulysses is, which is a sign of exciting things to come in Outlander Season 4. Whatever the writing, McFarlane will be able to bring mannerisms and actions to life through the smaller details. He’ll also understand more about the relationship between Ulysses and Jocasta, which is an important one for the season.

Next: 4 tips for surviving Droughtlander from Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe

Are you excited to see Colin McFarlane in action in Outlander season 4? Are you happy that he’s read the books for research? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Outlander Season 4 is still filming. Follow Claire and Jamie on Twitter for more updates straight to your feed.