Outlander’s Graham McTavish replaced as Buck MacKenzie for crucial reason

Graham McTavish returns to Outlander for season 5

WARNING: This article contains major spoilers from Outlander season 7, part 1 and the Outlander novels by Diana Gabaldon

Outlander season seven, part one saw some major cast additions this year including the re-introduction of Buck MacKenzie (played by Diarmaid Murtagh).

The 41-year-old Irish actor took over the role of Buck from Graham McTavish, who previously made a cameo in the role.

Murtagh played the actor full-time, leading some to question why McTavish – who also portrays Buck’s relative Dougal MacKenzie – was no longer playing the part.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Express, Outlander’s longtime casting director Suzanne Smith explained there was a very simple reason for this.

She said: “Because we had to have a younger Buck. That’s the reason.”

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Smith paid tribute to McTavish, 62: “He loved Outlander and, of course, he and Sam do their lovely spin-off [Men In Kilts], he’s lovely, he’s so much fun. They’re all so nice.

She went on to say: “That’s all part of it. I think because they’re so warm as people, they welcome everybody into the show – and I think we forget Scotland is also part of the character.”

Addressing how Murtagh got the role, Smith said: “Well, I’ve known him for years and he has that sort of ruggedness and again likability and a noble feel about him. I mean, you wouldn’t want to mess with him.”

The casting director also addresses the journey to cast Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser, Tobias Menzies as both Frank Randall and Captain Jonathan ‘Black Jack’ Randall as well as the long search for Claire Fraser with actress Caitríona Balfe cast last in the show.

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Smith is now busy with other projects, including the forthcoming Outlander prequel Blood of My Blood.

However, before then, she will be getting to work on the eighth and final season of Outlander and some other projects.

“I’m working on Silo for Apple, so we’re waiting to go back because of the actors strike. We’re in the middle of doing a season two.

“I’ve just done something for a show called Insomnia with Vicky McClure in the lead and next year I’ve got for Apple Benjamin Franklin, which is an eight-part series with Michael Douglas and it’s really good.”

Outlander seasons 1-7 are available to stream on Starz in the USA and on Lionsgate+ in the UK

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