As well as Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan, three Outlander actors will be at the NYCC 2019 panel. What does their appearance mean for Season 5?
Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan are attending New York Comic-Con 2019 as part of the Outlander panel. They’re not the surprising guests. It’s the three others, especially one of them, who are the surprising additions.
Duncan Lacroix, Maria Doyle Kennedy, and David Berry are attending NYCC 2019. What does their attendance mean for their characters in Outlander Season 5?
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The addition of Lacroix and Doyle Kennedy isn’t all that surprising. We know the two are part of the fifth season. Doyle Kennedy’s Jocasta Cameron is part of the fifth book in a major way and Lacroix Murtagh is a part of the Regulator storyline. The idea of the two not being part of the season is preposterous.
The big surprise is the addition of David Berry. He plays Lord John Grey, and we know that he’s not part of the fifth book except through mentions because of the letters. Yet, if he’s part of the guest lineup at New York Comic-Con, it suggests that he is part of the season. So, how could that be?
There are three main options that could apply:
- The show is inventing a storyline for him
- We’ll see Lord John write the letters or act out whatever is in them
- Some of the sixth book is being combined with the fifth for this season
Whichever of the options the EPs and writers go with wouldn’t be all that surprising. We’ve seen the show invent elements to bring characters back. Just look at the use of Laoghaire and the flashbacks with Frank to bring Nell Hudson and Tobias Menzies back for the fourth season. Then look at the use of Murtagh in the fourth season. With how much of a fan-favorite David Berry’s Lord John Grey is, it wouldn’t be surprising if the show invented a storyline for him.
Acting out the letters would make sense for the series. There is a rule of “show don’t tell,” which would apply here.
The one that is least likely is combining two books. While I wouldn’t put it past the idea of the showrunners to combine the books, there’s a lot of content to get through in “The Fiery Cross” and only five episodes. Of course, with both Seasons 5 and 6 confirmed, combining books could be possible to make storylines flow.
What is clear is that, somehow, David Berry should be involved in Outlander Season 5. Otherwise, why would he be at New York Comic-Con to promote the series?
What did you think when you say the list of guests at NYCC 2019? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Outlander Season 5 filming continues and will premiere on Feb. 16 on STARZ. Follow Claire and Jamie on Twitter for the latest updates.