Outlander EP Ronald D. Moore reacts to Golden Globe nominations, Sam Heughan snub

By EW




Outlander

Posted December 10 2015 — 1:28 PM EST


Outlanders, it’s time to break out some Scottish whisky and toast to the news that Outlander snagged a Golden Globe nomination for best drama series, with separate noms for show leads Caitriona Balfe and Tobias Menzies. It’s a huge accomplishment for Outlandershowrunner Ronald D. Moore, who was asleep and under the bedcovers at home in Los Angeles when he received the all-important call.

Moore, who plans on celebrating with an extra-indulgent breakfast – specifically, “some goods eggs benedict” – says he’s proud that Balfe has been named alongside fellow nominees Viola Davis, Eva Green, Taraji P. Henson and Robin Wright. “I was asleep. I had forgotten that they were today, and my phone kept buzzing and I thought, ‘Who the hell keeps calling me?’ It was my agent,” says Moore, laughing. “He was like ‘You got a Golden Globe nomination!’ Oh my gosh.”

“If you think about what she did, being part of every scene plus her voice-over, you can’t help but be impressed with Cait,” says Moore of the Irish actress, who plays Claire Beauchamp in the Scotland-set period series. “It’s a unique performance, and it’s a tremendous responsibility … she’s earned her place in those ranks.”

Though he hasn’t yet had a chance to speak to Menzies – he shared his congratulations to Balfe via email – Moore is equally thrilled that Menzies has earned a nomination for his performance in the dual roles of Frank Randall and Jonathan “Black Jack” Randall. As fans know, the two characters couldn’t be more different – one a mild-mannered history professor, the other a bloodthirsty military officer – and it’s Menzies’ handling of the latter’s sensitive material that Moore says was worthy of consideration by the HFPA.

“Tobias never made Jack Randall a monster,” reflects Moore. “He was a human being who was doing something horrible. There was a humanity in that character that was always present. That’s a tremendous salute to what he’s been able to bring to the role.”


While a hearty sláinte is in order for both Balfe and Menzies, fans haven’t exactly been shy about expressing their outrage over costar Sam Heughan’ssnub – and Moore shares in their disappointment.

“He was a huge part of the success of the show. We’ve always thought of he, Cait, and Tobias as our big three,” says Moore. “It’s just a very competitive year, a very tough field. I wish Sam was included, but in our hearts he absolutely is because he’s incredibly deserving.”

That said, there’s always next year – and Moore says Heughan’s performance in the upcoming season is definitely awards fodder.

“He has a much bigger part in the second season. If you think of the arc of his character in this first season, it was a much slower build,” says Moore. “It was really Claire’s story, which included certain issues and characters along the way. He certainly has a lot more material in the second season than in the first.”