Sam Heughan ‘gutted’ not to be in new Lord Of The Rings TV series after growing up on commune and having Hobbit-inspired name

The Outlander star, 40, on why he loves the Hobbit, how to drink whisky and what’s under his kilt.

Is new action movie SAS: Red Notice your ‘Sam Heughan does Bruce Willis’ moment?

It certainly does have Die Hard similarities but it’s actually based on Andy McNab’s brilliant books and on McNab himself.

What’s Andy McNab like?

I spent a lot of time talking with him about the character and about the world the SAS operate in.

Andy’s a great military operator but he’s also very outgoing, intelligent and extremely charming.

I expected him to have more bravado but he wasn’t like that at all. He was very down to earth and a lot of fun.

You made a citizen’s arrest during your time playing Batman on stage. Are you a have-a-go hero?

I hope I never have to be in that situation. Having done this movie and seen how people operate in those scenarios, I think I’d probably run away or put my head in my hands but who knows?

You were raised by a hippie mother so are you more of a lover than a fighter?

I’m definitely a ‘peace and love’ kind of person. But I guess we all have the propensity for the other side and that’s really interesting.

Your parents were part of a commune called Gandalf’s Garden and named you after a character in The Lord Of The Rings. Did that make you hate all things Hobbit-related?

No, I loved it. I read The Hobbit religiously as a kid. I’m called Sam but my full name is Samwise. I love The Lord Of The Rings.

I’m actually kind of gutted that I wasn’t involved in the new TV show. It would have been fun to don a pair of pointy ears.

What can fans expect from series six of Outlander?

I’m in Glasgow shooting it right now! It has been delayed with everything that is going on but we’re getting there.

So, series six: the Frasers are on the Ridge and there are some new, dare I say, enemies and friends that come into their lives… the War of Independence is getting closer and they are also dealing with the after effects of what happened at the end of series five.

It’s a pretty tough time for everyone on The Ridge right now.

You’re a model too. Do you enjoy flashing your ‘Blue Steel’ look in front of the camera?

I had to learn how to do that but it’s not something I have ever enjoyed. I’m much more happy not being myself — being a character.

That’s why I became an actor. I want to be known for the work that I do, I don’t want to be known for me.

Tell us about the My Peak Challenge…

My Peak Challenge is doing great. It’s a daily workout and food plan. We’re all challenged under lockdown and that can affect people not just physically but mentally too. I think it’s important to try and get out as much as you can.

It doesn’t have to be working out, it can be going for a walk, trying to get new horizons, getting a bit of vitamin D. We’re seeing some great results.

We have about 12,000 members and have raised about £5million for charity. I think we can give Joe Wicks a run for his money.

What’s your morning routine?

Right now, with all the social media and everything, we are all doing far too much screen time. So my morning routine suggestion is don’t get up and go straight on to social media and your email.

Give yourself half an hour. Go and make a cup of tea, do some meditation or just read a book for a bit. It will just help clear your mind.

Otherwise, you just get so inundated with information that it can be overwhelming.

You’re super fit but what’s your junk-food weakness?

Far too much pasta. I’ve been going through an Italian phase because I found this great deli near me that delivers.

It’s fuelling my workouts. I love dark chocolate but I’m not really a sweet person. Whisky is my treat.

Is ice in whisky a no-no?

However you enjoy whisky is up to you. I prefer it neat but there’s no bad way. I have my own whisky brand called Sassenach.

The name was inspired by Outlander because my character falls in love with a Sassenach — an English person. But Scotland is a very open place.

Hopefully when you take a glass of this whisky it will take you ‘home’ to Scotland so we’re basically saying everyone is welcome.

What do you wear under your kilt?

I have been asked this for the past eight years and I still don’t have an answer… let’s just say, I am a traditional Scotsman.

SAS: Red Notice is available on Sky Cinema from today.

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