
Seamus McLean Ross: We Will Make Blood Of My Blood As Great As Outlander
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1 day ago
We sat down with the star injecting fresh life into Colum MacKenzie
We may have to wait until 2026 for the grand Outlander finale, but fans are first being treated to a brand new prequel series, Blood of My Blood. Featuring fresh faces with familiar names, we sat down with Seamus McLean Ross, who plays a young Colum MacKenzie, to find out more.
Seamus McLean Ross On Outlander: Blood Of My Blood
Hi Séamus, how’s life going at the moment?
I’m feeling good. I’ve just moved into my first flat (I still have no furniture…) and I’m loving filming Blood of My Blood season 2.
Can you give us an elevator pitch for the series?
It’s an origin tale of Outlander. At its heart are the two love stories of Jamie and Claire’s parents and the struggles they went through to be together, while playing alongside that are inter-family/clan dynamics, politics, war, and power struggles.
You play Colum MacKenzie – how would you describe him?
A lonely, physically broken outsider desperate for power and the validation that that power brings. Starved of his father’s love, he’s desperate to stamp his authority on his family and his world.
It’s a hugely beloved franchise. How did it feel when you got the role?
When I got the call, I was living in London doing my first professional play at The Yard. I knew filming would start at the end of the play’s run, and imagined how perfect it would be to get a call offering me the role. I was in my digs the morning after a brilliant press night when my agent called. It was surreal and amazing.

‘Starved of his father’s love, Colum MacKenzie is desperate to stamp his authority on his family and his world.’ (© David Reiss)
Did you do anything special to prepare for the role?
I watched the original Outlander to get a feel for the show, and paid particular attention to Gary Lewis’s scenes, who played the older Colum. I was also enrolled in an online Glasgow University programme on Clans and the wider Gaelic society to understand the world I was about to enter.
How do you get into character on set?
I’m a bit of an annoying drama school boy. I’ll be the guy making embarrassing noises and trying to be in character for the 10 minutes before going on. I was a little superstitious about entering the magic realm as I call it on set. There’s a lot to distract you and I was still finding the character in the early days of shooting. So I would still be reading notes and diary entries while sitting in the easy-up tents, nervously checking to connect with Colum. I still do that stuff, but I’m much more relaxed about it, and I realise that I’ve always found it easy to enter imaginary worlds.
Any standout filming locations?
I’m not sure what glen it was – I think it was up in Perthshire – but the location we shot Red Jacob’s funeral in episode one was unbelievable, especially when you see the procession slowly walking in their plaid through the mist. It felt like we were aligned with the past.
What was the cast dynamic on set? Who was your favourite person to work with?
I’m sure you hear actors saying they love working with their co-stars, and a lot of the time it’s probably fabricated. But we actually did like each other on Blood of My Blood! At the start of the job, we had a two week bootcamp, where we did a lot of horse riding, rehearsing and most importantly going to the pub. They’re the loveliest bunch of people and we’ve bonded over our desire to make this show as great as its predecessor. And we’re all up for a laugh, which has made it really great.
It’s already been renewed for season 2 – anything you can tease about that?
I feel I’ll be the first one out of the cast to accidentally let a spoiler slip, so I have to be careful. I’ll just say, like the actors, audiences will go even deeper into learning more of their favourite character’s back stories, especially in the run up to the Battle of Sheriffmuir. Nothing lasts forever.
You’ve also got California Schemin coming up, James McAvoy’s directorial debut. What can you tell us about that?
I’ve seen it a couple of times now, and it feels like a throwback film to the early noughties. A wild, true story of friendship and making the impossible possible. It’s an unbelievable story that not many people know about, and I hope audiences enjoy it. I had the best time making it and I’m so proud of it.
You lead the film with Samuel Bottomley. What was that like?
Sam has done a lot of TV and film and worked with the best of the best, so it was great to have him by my side in my first film. Acting with him was an education in itself. He’s so honest in his work and makes it all seem so easy. He really is a huge talent and a great pal.
What was it like to work with James McAvoy?
Meeting James McAvoy was a blessing enough, never mind working with him, as he’s been an idol of mine since childhood. James is a talented, passionate, intense and compassionate guy. He’s got that rawness, and in a matter of seconds can convey what the heart of a scene, line, look or moment is about. He’s got a laser focus when it comes to the work. I had the time of my life and I’ll always be grateful for his belief in me, I just wanted to do him proud.
Did your preparation for the role differ with your character being based on a real person?
Yes, playing a character who’s still alive makes you approach the role even more sensitively. But getting to meet Gavin was so helpful. We met in a pub in Soho, which was one of the old stomping grounds of Silibil’ N Brains. I put my phone on the table, and with Gavin’s permission I hit record. He spoke with such passion, and the stories were so enthralling that I couldn’t wait to get started.
Any more roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!)
A couple of things I can’t speak too much about at the moment. I’m just loving being back with Colum. There’s a lot going on this season, and I can’t wait for people to see it.

‘Meeting James McAvoy was a blessing enough, never mind working with him.’ (© David Reiss)
Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?
Norah Lopez Holden. I think doing a play with someone is special, and people that tend to do theatre are great people, and she certainly is one. In scenes, she could make me cry, ground me, make me laugh; god knows we corpsed. She had and gave me everything, every single night. That’s a pro.
Which co-star did you learn the most from?
Conor MacNeill. That guy is an actor. He’s a dog, with a spirit inside him that just comes out and dances. He told me about leaving 10 percent for God. Quincy Jones’s saying for doing what you can and leaving the rest for the mysterious, unexplainable, unthought part of yourself you can call God. We have become brothers since Outlander, and his connection with the world, art and humanity is so inspiring.
What’s your dream role?
George Mackay in 1917, or a part in Lord of the Rings for the kid in me.
What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?
Slow, European-style thought-provoking films would be awesome.
Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with?
Mike Leigh.
How do you find balance in your personal and work lives?
I struggle to be honest with it. I’m the happiest when I’m acting and on sets – it gets addictive. The early starts feel bad, but I always feel worse the morning of the lie in. I think being active is important, both mentally and physically. So this year I’m wanting to get into making music – which I’ve always wanted to do – and play more sports like football and tennis whilst seeing my family and friends.
If you could give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would it be?
I would tell him to love yourself. Life is simpler than you think.
How can we all live a little bit better?
By getting off your phone and out your head. Listening and breathing is always a good way to start.
Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?
I’m going to California for Comic Con and Blood of My Blood’s premiere in L.A , which is unbelievable. Maybe you’re reading this after I’ve been, in which case I’m sure I’ll say I had a blast and the In’n’Out burger was divine. I love America, and my oldest sister is going to join me on the red carpet, so I cannot wait.
Seamus McLean Ross Recommends…
I’m currently watching… Breaking Bad (for the first time!)
What I’m reading… Bernard Mclaverty’s Grace Notes
The last thing I watched (and loved) was… Paul Giamatti and Patsy Ferran’s Black Mirror episode – it killed me
What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Warfare
Favourite film of all time… Naked by Mike Leigh
Favourite song of all time… ‘The Downtown Lights’ or ‘Tinseltown in the Rain’ by Glasgow’s Paul Buchanan
Band/singer I always have on repeat… Sam Gellaitry
My ultimate cultural recommendation… Go the pictures by yourself.
Cultural guilty pleasure… Monty Don. I don’t believe in cultural guilty pleasures: if you like something for yourself, that’s rare nowadays, but will always be cool. Monty is so cool, and is fantastic to watch on hangover.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood premieres Saturday 9 August in the UK on MGM+ with a double bill. New episodes drop weekly.