Steven Cree has landed a major role in A Discovery of Witches. How will this affect any future of him returning as Ian Murray on Outlander?
The cast for A Discovery of Witches is getting larger. One of those recently added is Steven Cree, who we best know as Ian Murray on Outlander.
Cree will play Gallowglass in the fantasy TV series, based on the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. For those who haven’t read the books, I’m not going to share the details of what the character does, but I will say that he’s in the second and third books of the trilogy. Yes, it’s a relatively large role.
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So, what does this mean for Cree’s future on Outlander? We know that filming at Midhope Castle was canceled because of someone’s role in a show where a beard was needed. It clear that this was definitely Steven Cree who couldn’t continue his role as Ian Murray in the fifth season.
The good news was that Ian Murray wasn’t necessary for the fifth season, anyway. It’s clear that returning to Lallybroch was going to be some sort of invention for the series, and likely a way to keep Scotland in the show. The people of Lallybroch aren’t going to be needed until the sixth season.
However, could A Discovery of Witches make it impossible for Steven Cree to return? Have we said goodbye to Ian Murray without realizing it?
This is going to depend on filming schedules, and whether Cree will be able to get rid of his beard and grow it back in time for the third season of A Discovery of Witches (which has already been confirmed and will likely be based on the third book in the series). There’s a high chance that due to A Discovery of Witches Season 2 only just starting filming the timing will be right when Outlander Season 6 begins filming.
It’s hard to say either way, right now. The two shows are going to have to work closely with each other if they want to have the same actor!
Would you like to see Ian Murray in Outlander Season 6? Do you worry about the recurring actors heading off to other projects? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
A Discovery of Witches Season 2 is slated for a 2020 release. Outlander Season 5 will be released on Feb. 16 on STARZ. Like us on Facebook for the latest updates on the shows and the actors.