Outlander actor Sam Heughan is returning to his theater roots and stepping into one of Shakespeare’s most iconic roles.
Heughan will play Macbeth in a new Royal Shakespeare Company production running from October 9 to December 6 at The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon. Daniel Raggett, known for AccidentalDeath of an Anarchist and ANNA at the National Theatre, will direct the play.
This marks Heughan’s first time performing with the RSC, and his first stage role in more than a decade.
“It’s terrifying — and that’s a good thing,” he told Deadline. “That feeling I had watching a show at the RSC recently, that buzz in the pit of your stomach… that’s what I’ve been missing. It’s the drug I’ve been looking for.”
A Full-Circle Moment for Heughan
Heughan is best known as Jamie Fraser in Outlander, which recently wrapped filming on its eighth and final season. The show is expected to return next year. A prequel series, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, premieres August 8.
Taking on Macbeth, Heughan said, felt like the right move at the right time.
“I built my career on theater,” he said. “Before TV, I was doing Scottish theater, then in London — and Macbeth was the very first production I was ever part of. So this feels like coming full circle.”
Joining Heughan on stage is Lia Williams as Lady Macbeth. Williams is known for playing Wallis Simpson in The Crown, and she recently appeared in The Day of the Jackal.
A Return to Stage After a Long Break
Heughan hasn’t been on stage since he played Batman in the arena tour Batman Live, which traveled from London to Buenos Aires. It was quite different from Shakespeare.
“It wasn’t quite Shakespeare,” he joked. “But maybe I’ll bring a bit of that flair to Macbeth. You never know.”
The actor is ready to leave his signature Jamie Fraser look behind and he’s already enjoying the change.
“It’s a new look, a new me,” he said. “It feels like I’m stepping into something different — and I’m loving it.”
A Dark Story That Still Resonates
Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s shortest, most intense plays, a tale of ambition, murder, and the supernatural. For Heughan, the character’s complexity is what draws him in.
“I don’t think Macbeth is just evil,” he said. “He could be influenced by supernatural forces, or by his deep love for Lady Macbeth. Once he takes that first step, he can’t stop. It’s about how one decision spirals out of control.”
Director Daniel Raggett and Heughan are still exploring how to set the production. They’re open to drawing inspiration from current events. “You could set it in a political environment, maybe something reflective of America or conflicts abroad,” Heughan said. “The themes of power and corruption still resonate.”
Heughan knows they’re stepping into big shoes. Macbeth was famously staged at The Other Place in 1976 with Ian McKellen and Judi Dench, a legendary pairing.
“We’re standing in big shadows — hopefully we can draw some strength from them,” he said.
Scottish Cast, Scottish Pride
Heughan noted that much of the cast is Scottish, something he’s proud of. “There’s such vibrant talent in Scotland. It’s exciting to bring that energy to Stratford-upon-Avon.”
After 10 years on Outlander, Heughan said the show shaped his life in many ways. “It dictated where I lived, how I spent my time. It’s been incredible, but now I get to rediscover who I am — and theater feels like home.”
He still stays in touch with the Outlander cast, especially Caitríona Balfe.
“We were like a family,” he said. “I had lunch with Caitríona last week. We’re always in touch.”
Could he return for a future Outlander special?
“Downton Abbey did it. Who knows? Maybe that ginger wig is still around,” he said with a laugh.
He also teased upcoming announcements for his Sassenach Spirits brand and hinted there could be celebratory drinks on opening night.
What’s Next at the RSC
The RSC’s upcoming season, led by co-artistic directors Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans, includes a new musical adaptation of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. The show is based on William Kamkwamba’s memoir and the 2019 film, and runs from February 10 to March 28, 2026.
For now, all eyes are on Heughan’s debut as the tragic Scottish king. After years on screen, he’s ready to take on one of theater’s most demanding roles and reconnect with the stage that started it all.
