Using a combination of Bing and Google translate, here’s what I got for the full interview.
Is Sam Heughan (Balmaclellan, Scotland, 1980) the perfect son-in-law? He smiles at Esquire’s question, while answering “nooooo”. Or maybe yes. “I do not know. I can be what you want,” he clarifies with a smile after throwing lit matches to the photographer, JUANKR, so that he captures how he plays with the light of the flame. His PR (public relations, or ‘babysitter’ of celebrities) asks from the other room in the house if it smells burnt. It is a building that the Army built in 1862 during the American Civil War. It’s abandoned. It does not seem that anyone has been killed, but many things must have happened there.
Known for his role as Jamie Fraser in Outlander – the 18th-World War II series that reaches its fifth season in Movistar+– it’s clear at the moment that Sam is Scottish, Scottish. There is nothing more to visit the website where you market your whisky, Sassenach Spirits, to see it in a Scottish skirt, boots, turtleneck sweater and leather jacket in an area of the Galloway region. He has asked us to please mention his whiskey, which is drunk as if it were juice in the promotional video. He also wants to point out that he has just finished the biopic of actress Patricia Neal and the British writer Roald Dahl, where he plays Paul Newman, and that on March 13th, Bloodshot premieres in Spain with Vin Diesel. Also, his name sounds strong for James Bond.
How do you digest the Outlander phenomenon?
Outlander is long and intense work, but series are like that. They always keep you very busy. But it’s great because I learn a lot. Working in television is a great school. The ideal place to get a good training in this industry.
And how do you get along at this point with Jamie Fraser?
I think my character is a good guy, of course. A decent, vulnerable man. Yes, I think he’s a fantastic man. I also like and I have a good time playing bad guys, but I have to say I get along very well with Fraser. It’s six years together!
You started in the theater world from a very young age.
At first, I didn’t want to be an actor. It’s a very difficult world. But then I got hooked. I’ve done a lot of theatre in the UK, in Scotland, and I love it. It is a discipline where you receive from the public an immediate response to your interpretation. You can’t compare it to Outlander or to shooting movies. Audiovisual is easier and more fun, although you also learn a lot.
Looks like you’re all good at it.
Well, I’m competitive, especially in sports and also with myself. I like to see how far I can go and challenge myself. I have a partnership, My Peak Challenge, where I try to help people. The main idea is to lead a healthy life. We make meal plans, exercise… Last year I ran two marathons in a month and it was a big challenge. But it’s all in the mind, not the body. It happens the same with this job when you don’t get papers [Note: I think the proper translation is likely “…when you don’t get cast.”] You have to be persistent. I think if you want something and you work, you can get it.
Now the big challenge is to save the planet.
It’s very important. We have to start making changes now. We’re late. I love activist Greta Thunberg. We have to follow her.
Some people think it’s best for celebrities to stay out of politics. Do you agree?
I know. When I make a political comment on Twitter or Instagram there are people who tell me to shut up, but I think they’re wrong. It’s impossible for a human being to have no opinion. Well-known people have the power to spread the message. I, for example, at first was against Scotland becoming independent from the UK. After documenting myself, I’ve realized it’s better to separate. After Brexit, I think it is important to remain in the European Union. I believe that, for the sake of Europe and the international community, it is better to work together.
I think you really like Spain.
Yes, I like it very much: Madrid, Barcelona… The people are very funny and the Spanish food and tapas are delicious. People eat dinner at night and then they go out. It’s great.
You keep single. How about women?
[Raises his eyebrow and laughs]. Well, I haven’t divorced yet …
So you do look like the perfect son-in-law.
I don’t know who I am, who do you want me to be? I like being a good man, although I’m sure that at some point I’ve pissed off someone. That’s the good thing about being an actor, that you can be a lot of people. It’s a good job. I want to do many things before I’m late. I turn 40 in April and I want to stay healthy. It is a splendid age to play interesting roles. For actresses, however, not so much, and I find it terrible. Things are changing a little bit about it and I’m glad. But also, and I don’t want to sound ridiculous, the middle-aged white man has quite a few problems. For example, we never talk about our feelings. When we’re sick, we don’t talk about our health either. It would be great if there was a place where everyone could share their concerns. Deep down, we all face very similar things.
Well, I’m going to write that you’re the perfect son-in-law.
Thank you, I am but… what if I appear in photographs later doing things I shouldn’t?
The Scottish referendum answer is off given Sam’s support for Scotland’s independence during the vote several years ago. That is likely just a typo or misunderstanding on the interviewers part vs something meant to be deceptive.
Regarding the son-in-law questions, I took them as the interviewer suggesting that Sam is the kind of man who would make a good son-in-law…as in, “he’s got it all”…looks, fame, health, ambition and is a social crusader. But a couple of Sam’s answers to them were quite interesting, especially the response to him keeping single. It would be interesting to see a video of him answering the questions vs just reading them in print.
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