Any fan of Outlander and Sam Heughan knows one thing: the man has energy. We know this not just through his breathless performance as Jamie Fraser on the Starz series, but also through his extracurriculars, which, recently, have included a Sassenach whiskey line fit for a Mackenzie-Fraser fete and a podcast about the Scottish Highlands. As a matter of fact, Heughan transformed the latter project into a TV series called Men in Kilts, which co-stars Graham McTavish. But when can fans finally see it? And will Men in Kilts be on Netflix?
The series, previously titled Clan Lands, was confirmed way back in July of 2019, and confirmed to be on Starz almost one year later, in June of 2020. The timing was a blessing for fans who were struggling bravely with #droughtlander following February's airing of Season 5. With no insight into when Outlander, which stalled production of Season 6 due to COVID-19, will start filming, it's unlikely we see the the fate of a kidnapped Clare Fraser until at least late summer of 2021. (For reference, 10 months passed between the beginning of Season 5 filming and its February premiere.)
But, based on John Bell's Instagram Story one week ago, shooting could be nigh:
While the Outlander well remains dry, though, best to pay attention to the parade around Scotland that soon will be raining on us — though Men in Kilts has yet to have a firm release date, it's easy to assume it could slot in nicely in Outlander's early winter spot, this 2021.
But will the series also air on Netflix, where the first three seasons of the show have attracted new fans? Unfortunately, it seems unlikely — if you want to see Men in Kilts' eight half-hour episodes, you'll have to get a Starz membership. (Starz has yet to respond to The Dipp's request for comment, but Season 3 of Outlander, at the very least, didn't get added to Netflix until two years after it aired on the premium network.)
We got a first look of "the story of two men who know nothing" (hey, that's Jon Snow's line!) via the Men in Kilts Instagram account, and it looks to be as educational as it is soothing to see Jamie and Dougal on screen together again.
The actors agree. Heughan, who took on Men in Kilts as his first non-Outlander producing credit, told Oprah Magazine in 2019 that "we've finished shooting, and dare I say, I think it looks really fun." As he said, "We'd been playing these Highland warriors for years now, faking it, and we thought, 'You know, it'd be nice to sort of find out a bit more about it.'"
It seems like that sense of humor will permeate through the series. Not only does the trailer deliver some hilarious moments (McTavish in that sidecar, for one), but the original bio for the Men In Kilts Instagram used to describe the show as: "history, culture and the landscape of Scotland... if these two don’t get lost or drunk. Or both."
It's too early to get excited about the yet-to-premiere series, or Season 6 of Outlander... but it's still hard not to even consider the possibilities of a Men in Kilts Season 2. Not only would we welcome the opportunity to see more of Heughan and McTavish's homeland, but perhaps even a global trek, once travel restrictions are lifted, of course. Heughan, himself, is not discounting the idea of a Men in Kilts sequel — as he told Oprah Magazine, "we've already got a season two plan" should the series perform well.
At the very least, if you're looking for a continuation of the series, or something to tide you over until the series premieres on Starz, there's always Heughan and McTavish's other hustle: the Clanlands book, with a forward by Outlander author Diana Gabaldon, which will be released Nov. 3.
Here's to you, Heughan, for making sure we keep satiated this season.
Image: Starz