One of the stars of Outlander has revealed details about the massive audience reaction to a pivotal scene in the beloved Starz series, following Sam Heughan's thrilling announcement and Caitríona Balfe's admission regarding the programme's conclusion, reports the Daily Record.
Mark Lewis Jones, who portrayed the initially rigid Tom Christie across seasons six and seven, discussed his character's dramatic journey and the way viewers embraced the role.
The 61 year old Welsh actor told Reach Screen Time exclusively: "I got a great response. They really took to the Christies as it were.
"Tom Christie was a brilliant part to play because he started off here and ended up here, he had that massive shift and professing his love [to Claire Fraser]."
The performer went on to say: "He starts off being the most awkward, stiff, stoical kind of character, who doesn't have any room for frivolity and massively strict religious stuff. Then, breaking down and confessing his love. So again, it was a gift really."
Jones revealed how he'd attended an Outlander convention and explored the moment with supporters: "It was great to talk about that, the kiss, about confessing his love. They'd all kinda of warmed to Tom by this point."
Tom's journey was marked by heartbreak from his spouse's betrayal and his imprisonment following Culloden to the deaths of his offspring Malva (portrayed by Jessica Reynolds) and Allan Christie (Alexander Vlahos), culminating with him wrongly admitting to his expectant daughter's murder to protect Claire (Balfe). "Ultimately gives his life," Jones explained, describing how this sacrifice formed a crucial element of Tom's redemption arc and explained why viewers had developed such affection for the character.
The actor, whose impressive portfolio spans from Star Wars and Game of Thrones to Gangs of London and The Crown, disclosed that he had previously auditioned for Outlander's debut series, though confessed he couldn't recall which role he had pursued.
He proceeded to sing the praises of Heughan and Balfe, describing them as "captains of the ship" on Outlander and praising their warm welcome to newcomers joining the production.
Jones expressed how the Outlander acting and producing partnership were " such lovely people" and noted "it just made it a really lovely experience".
Heughan and Jones share a friendship spanning several years, having participated in charity marathon runs together before Jones secured the role of Tom Christie in Outlander.
"So Sam and I had done a couple [of marathons] together. We'd first met through that and so when I turned up [on Outlander], I had someone I already knew," he revealed.
The performer is currently occupied with various other ventures, including his fresh English and Welsh thriller Y Golau: Dŵr (The Light in the Hall: Still Waters) launching on BBC iPlayer this week.
He is also set to feature in the second series of Welsh drama Dal Y Mellt, whilst IMDb catalogues his forthcoming works as Henry House and Uncle.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood airs on Fridays on Starz in the USA and on Saturdays on MGM+ via Prime Video in the UK
Outlander season 8 will air on Starz and MGM+ via Prime Video in early 2026
Y Golau: Dwr is streaming on the BBC iPlayer now
