In my experience, it's easier to act in another accent than in your own. If you use your own accent, you have to work doubly hard to find the 'voice' of the character. My theory is that because I have a musical ear, I can pick up on accents pretty quickly. I am grateful for this, as it certainly comes in handy! I have done Scottish, American, London, Irish, RP (Received Pronunciation, also known as the "typically British" accent) and lots of others. That said, I think that an accent used for accent's sake is simply mimicry, not acting.
2
The reaction to Angus has been extraordinary...it's humbling and a sign you are doing something right as an actor.
3
It's my belief that while the writer writes the character, it is the actor who creates it. So when creating Angus, I decided to take my teeth out. I reckoned that Angus had been in a few physical scrapes and I felt that specific aesthetic lent itself to the role. The accent was worked on with the wonderful voice coach, Carol Anne Crawford, but I think that the real 'voice' of the character (which is often confused with the accent) is found through different rhythms, personal acting choices and research. Grant O'Rourke (Rupert) and I improvised within the parameters of the script - mostly - but I personally added lots of quirks and mannerisms to Angus that were not specifically written.
4
I don't wish I knew anything when I first started out acting because I still know nothing...it would spoil the process...and that process continues to this day...and that's the beauty of it.
5
I play lead and rhythm guitar, drums and a little piano. I write songs all the time. I can write to order if pushed and I enjoy it. I have a huge back catalogue of tunes and I hope to record an album in the not too distant future...maybe even an Outlander album!!
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Into the Badlands
2017
TV Series
The Engineer
Tin Star
2017
TV Series
Johnny
Outlander
2014-2016
TV Series
Angus Mhor
The Musketeers
2016
TV Series
Borel
Quantico
2016
TV Series
University President
Dickensian
2016
TV Series
Manning
A.D. The Bible Continues
2015
TV Series
Simon the Sorcerer
Dracula
2013
TV Series
Hackett
Playhouse Presents
2013
TV Series
Prisoner
The Village
2013
TV Series
Crispin Ingham
Great Night Out
2013
TV Series
Daz
Kelly + Victor
2012
Gaz
Good Cop
2012
TV Series
Callum Rose
Accused
2012
TV Series
Alan Baines
Hit & Miss
2012
TV Series
James
Powder
2011
Johnny Winegums
Age of Heroes
2011
Brightling
Splintered
2010
Gavin / Vincent (as Stephen Martin Walters)
Wire in the Blood
2008
TV Series
James Williams
Franklyn
2008
Wormsnakes / Wasnik
The Visit
2007
TV Series
Splodge
Skins
2007
TV Series
Mad Twatter
Hannibal Rising
2007
Zigmas Milko
The Virgin Queen
2006
TV Mini-Series
Gilbert Gifford
Revolver
2005
Joe
Batman Begins
2005
Arkham Lunatic
Layer Cake
2004
Shanks
Murder City
2004
TV Series
Dylan Forbes
Silent Witness
2003
TV Series
Neville Anderson
Buried
2003
TV Series
Dr. Nick Vaughan
Nice Guy Eddie
2002
TV Series
Scott
Mean Machine
2001
Nitro
Formula 51
2001
Blowfish
Mike Bassett: England Manager
2001
Supporter
Band of Brothers
2001
TV Mini-Series
John McGrath
Strumpet
2001
TV Movie
Knockoff
Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang)
2001
Kick Box Stevie
Nice Guy Eddie
2001
TV Movie
Scott
Liam
2000
Black shirt
Heart
1999
Second Security Man
Plunkett & Macleane
1999
Dennis
Liverpool 1
1998
TV Series
Mikey Sullivan
Pie in the Sky
1997
TV Series
Hotel Receptionist
Springhill
1996-1997
TV Series
Jamie Johnson
Touching Evil
1997
TV Series
Jack McCaffrey
Hillsborough
1996
TV Movie
Ian Glover
Jake's Progress
1995
TV Mini-Series
Joey
Blood on the Dole
1994
TV Movie
Joey Jackson
Brookside
1993
TV Series
Geoff 'Growler' Rogers
Screenplay
1990
TV Series
Viaduct Boy
Dramarama
1989
TV Series
Tomkins
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Authentic in Design: The Dresses & Kilts of 'Outlander'
2015
Video short
Himself
Emerging a Scot: Cast Goes to Boot Camp
2015
Video short
Himself
Outlander: On Location - Castle Leoch and the Magic of Scotland