Latest news with #JamieFraser
Daily Record
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Sam Heughan drops major hint Outlander could return after season 8 finale
Outlander season eight might not be the last we see of Claire and Jamie Fraser's love story, if Sam Heughan's hints are to be believed... Outlander fans are already mourning the loss of Claire and Jamie Fraser's captivating love story. The eighth and final season will soon hit screens, as the fanbase prepares to close the chapter on the era. Although we have spin-off Blood of My Blood to look forward to, it's the original thats likely to stick in everyone's hearts. Diana Gabaldon's best-selling book franchise only grew after it was adapted by Starz for the small screen. The series has catapulted the likes of Scottish actor Sam Heughan to fame for his portrayal as Highland warrior Jamie Fraser. The good news? There could be a silver lining on the horizon, despite the fact the show is set to end for good after the eighth run. While promoting his new stage role in Macbeth, Sam spoke about the closing chapter in his TV career and if there was scope for a follow-up series or special, to which he made it clear he wouldn't rule it out. "Who knows?" Heughan said when speaking to Deadline news. "I know they did that with Downton Abbey and others. So you never know. Maybe the ginger wig is still around somewhere." The innocent remark has sent shockwaves through the fanbase. Although Starz has not confirmed any Outlander continuations beyond Blood of My Blood set to premiere later this year, it hasn't stopped many hoping. Elsewhere, Sam is set to return to the stage for his theatre debut as Macbeth, at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). The actor was delighted to announce he will star in a leading role, admitting his dreams have come true. He will feature alongside The Day Of The Jackal actress Lia Williams, starring as Lady Macbeth. Discussing his new role, Sam said: "At age 18, standing on the main stage of the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh, playing 'spear-carrier number 2' (essentially a glorified extra) in a production of Macbeth, I could only dream of one day playing the infamous title character." He continued: "It feels full circle to be returning to the stage, after over a decade working primarily in television and film. Not only is Macbeth my favourite Shakespeare play: intense, immediate and unsettling, it also happens to be famously Scottish. "The RSC has always been at the pinnacle of my ambition and I feel deeply honoured and thankful to be working alongside some enormously talented and creative people. "The Other Place is the perfect space to create an intense, intimate production and, like Lady M, we will be calling upon the spirits of the RSC's highly acclaimed past productions for their blessing."
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers packing the car up for a holiday issued urgent £300 fine warning
In the case of an accident involving an overpacked vehicle, travel experts warn that if a driver is found to be at fault, they could be slapped with a whopping £2,500 fine When heading away on vacation, some holidaymakers prefer to bring as many of the comforts of home along with them as possible. But as the summer season draws ever closer, UK drivers are being urged to pay close attention to how much they cram into their cars. Overloading your vehicle not only puts your safety and that of other road users at risk, it can also result in hefty fines, penalty points, and even invalidate your insurance. Overloading occurs when a vehicle is carrying more weight than it is legally designed to handle — every vehicle has its own weight limit. This includes the combined weight of passengers, luggage and any additional equipment, such as roof boxes or bike racks. Known as the Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM), this weight limit can be found on a plate inside the driver's doorframe and in your vehicle's handbook. Exceeding this limit, even unintentionally, is a breach of UK road laws. To avoid passing the permitted payload, weigh your luggage and consider the weight of all passengers — four adults plus luggage can easily exceed the MAM of smaller cars. Distribute weight evenly by placing heavier items low and central in the boot, which helps maintain stability. Avoid stacking items above the seat line to keep rear visibility clear. Never carry more passengers than there are seatbelts, as this is a separate offence with its own penalties. When using a roof rack, drivers should be aware of its associated weight limits and how it might affect the vehicle's handling. Overloading a car has several serious consequences. Extra weight makes your car harder to steer, reduces stability and increases stopping distances. Brakes under such stress may struggle to cope, while the risk of mechanical failure also rises significantly. Overloaded vehicles put extra pressure on tyres, increasing heat and the likelihood of a dangerous blowout. The extra strain also means that suspension, brakes and other components wear out faster, potentially leading to costly repairs and breakdowns. Overpacking can block your view of mirrors and blind spots, further increasing accident risk. Additionally, engines must work harder to move the extra weight, leading to higher fuel consumption and more trips to the petrol station. Jamie Fraser from Wild Packs explains: 'Overloading the car with too many items can obstruct the driver's view, endangering those in the car as well as other road users. This is due to Rule 98 of the Highway Code, which states that drivers must not overload their vehicles and should always stay within the weight limits recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. 'Drivers who overpack their vehicles risk a £50 fixed penalty for exceeding weight limits or blocking their view. Furthermore, in the event of an accident, overloaded vehicles may render insurance claims invalid. In more severe cases, if authorities determine that a vehicle is in a dangerous condition due to the excess weight, the penalties can increase to a £2,500 fine, three penalty points, and even a driving ban." The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and police regularly check vehicles for overloading, especially during holiday periods. Penalties are structured according to how much the vehicle is overloaded. If you exceed the maximum limit by less than 10%, you can be fined £100. If the overload is between 10% and 14%, the fine increases to £200. For overloading by 15% or more, the penalty rises to £300 and you will also receive three penalty points on your licence. In extreme cases, such as being overloaded by more than 30%, you could face a court summons. If found guilty of dangerous driving, this could result in up to two years in prison. Repeat offenders risk even harsher penalties, including driving disqualification. Overloading your car can also invalidate your insurance policy. In the event of an accident, insurers may refuse to pay out if your vehicle was found to be overloaded at the time. Additionally, you may be prohibited from continuing your journey until excess weight is removed, or your vehicle could even be impounded. With the DVSA and police carrying roadside checks and fines up to £300 (plus penalty points) for overloading by just 15%, all UK drivers should double check their loads before heading off on holiday. Ignoring these risks not just your safety, but that of everyone on the road — and if deemed to have caused an accident, could land you with a whopping £2,500 fine.
The Herald Scotland
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Outlander star Sam Heughan to make stage comeback in Macbeth
Heughan will appear alongside Lia Williams, star of The Crown, His Dark Materials and the Missing, in what is being described as "an intimate and compelling" RSC production. The show, which will be directed by Daniel Raggett, will get a two-month run at the RSC's 200-seater venue, The Other Place, in Stratford-upon-Avon. Read more: Heughan, who started filming Outlander in 2013, will be following in the footsteps of fellow Scots Alan Cumming, David Tennant, James McAvoy and Reuben Joseph, who have both played the role in recent years. Heughan, who will be appearing in Macbeth from October 9-December 6, has spoken previously of his admiration for McAvoy's theatre performances. Outlander star Sam Heughan will be making a return to the stage in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Macbeth this autumn. Picture: Sony/Starz Other actors who have starred in previous RSC productions of Macbeth include Ralph Richadson, Laurence Olivier, Ian McKellen, Bob Peck, Derek Jacobi, Anthony Sher and Greg Hicks. Heughan, who was born in Balmacellan, in Dumfries and Galloway, moved to Edinburgh when he was 12 and joined the youth theatre group run by the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh before securing a place at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. He was still studying when he landed a lead role in the David Greig play Outlying Islands which won a Herald Angel Award at the 2002 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Heughan was nominated for the most promising newcomer honour at the Olivier Awards after the play transferred to the Royal Court Theatre in London. Heughan would go on to make theatre appearances across the UK over the next decade, including playing the role of Malcolm in Macbeth at the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh, as well as productions of Hamlet, and Romeo and Juliet. Heughan had his first major TV role in 2004 when he appeared in the mini-series Island at War and had a recurring role in the BBC soap Doctors for 21 episodes. However he was a relative unknown until 2013, when he was cast as Jamie Fraser in the Sony-Starz adaptation of American author Diana Gabaldon's Outlander books. Heughan and co-star Caitriona Balfa recently finished filming their final scenes for the eighth and last series of the show. Speaking previously to The Cultural Coven podcast, Heughan spoke of his passion for Shakespeare's work and his ambitions to return to the theatre. He said at the time: 'Jamie Fraser has obviously been brilliant and I've been doing a number of film roles to try to play other parts, but they've all been primarily in the same sort of realm. 'I'd love to have a real acting challenge - I think that's where you get to really stretch yourself. 'Outlander has been so unique. My character has been a young warrior, who has become a laird, a father, a husband and a grandfather now, he's been in battles, he's been abused... I've had so much to play. 'But of course we all get burn-out and want to do different things. 'I'd love to go back to theatre. I have been talking to various people. 'It's about scheduling and that's kind of tough right now with the film schedule I've got, but in the future, I'd love to. 'For me, it's always been about Shakespeare. I'd love to do Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth.' In a separate interview with the Square Mile podcast, Heughan said: 'I started in theatre, I'd love to go back to theatre. 'I recently saw James McAvoy in Cyrano and he was brilliant. I know James from drama school and he was my mentor. I saw him onstage at drama school and to see him there is kind of an amazing journey. I feel like I've got it in me as well.'
Geek Vibes Nation
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Outlander': Season 7 Blu-Ray Review - Beloved Series Continues To Surprise As The End Draws Near
Following the harrowing events of season six, Jamie and Young Ian race to rescue Claire before she's tried and wrongfully convicted of murder. But their mission is complicated by the beginning of a geopolitical firestorm: The American Revolution has arrived. In the seventh season of OUTLANDER, Jamie, Claire and their family are caught in the violent birth pains of an emerging nation as armies march to war and British institutions crumble in the face of armed rebellion. The land the Frasers call home is changing — and they must change with it. In order to protect what they've built, the Frasers have to navigate the perils of the Revolutionary War. They learn that sometimes to defend what you love, you have to leave it behind. As the conflict draws them out of North Carolina and into the heart of this fight for independence, Jamie, Claire, Brianna and Roger are faced with impossible decisions that have the potential to tear their family apart. For in-depth thoughts on Outlander: The Complete Seventh Season, please see my colleague Martin Sexton's reviews from its original television debut below: Video Quality Outlander: The Complete Seventh Season arrives on Blu-Ray courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment with a glorious AVC encoded 1080p transfer of all 16 episodes spread over six discs. This transfer showcases a stunning amount of discrete detail within the period costumes and thorough production design. Skin tones appear very natural throughout the season, and compression artifacts and noise are virtually nonexistent. The lush cinematography of this series always looks impeccable in high definition, and this season is no different. This transfer captures every glorious aspect as perfectly as one could hope. The series remains immaculate with a complex color palette revealing deep hues within the backgrounds. Black levels are deep, giving way to rich detail within the shadows. The highlights are likewise brilliant and avoid any instances of blooming in this presentation. The Blu-Ray presentation is top-tier on all fronts and represents a standout effort from Sony. Audio Quality This Blu-Ray comes with a dynamic DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that brings this journey to life with the utmost precision. Dialogue is a key element of the show, and it springs forth clearly without being overwhelmed by any parallel sounds. The moving score on the show is often grand and immersive in the best way, as it juggles the more volatile moments as well as the subtle stretches. Ambient sounds are carefully placed in the rear channels. The environmental sounds memorably engage the surround speakers to make things feel all-encompassing. Even when you are simply observing the landscapes, this track delivers on all fronts. The more kinetic moments know how to pack a punch in the low end response. The audio track never comes up short. Special Features Deleted Scene: Brief scenes are provided from most of the episodes of moments that were cut primarily for pacing reasons, but prove to be an entertaining addition for fans. A Life Well Lost (1:28) The Happiest Place On Earth (5:11) Death Be Not Proud (2:57) A Most Uncomfortable Woman (1:52) Unfinished Business (6:05) A Hundredweight of Stones (2:38) Ye Dinna Get Used To It (1:28) A Hundred Thousand Angels (3:28) Outlander Untold: An array of bonus stories from the Outlander universe are provided to help flesh out the world more for fans. Syzygy (6:28) A Visitor At Valley Forge (6:24) A Good Man (6:51) Ablution (6:13) Blooper Reel (12:20) Final Thoughts Outlander has always been a show determined not to become complacent with its storytelling, and fans have been rewarded with complex characters, thrilling surprises, and rich narratives that always keep us returning for more. As we start to get closer to the end of the line, we can feel the story picking up the pace considerably, occasionally to a fault. This penultimate season bounces back from a truncated season with a mighty episode haul that often reminds us why we love the show so much, even with the writer's strike impacting the flow in a few different respects. The pacing is somewhat erratic, but we still love embarking on this incredible journey as we continue to grow with these characters (and say goodbye to some). We are not sure if we are prepared for this to officially conclude, but we are excited to see if everything can come together satisfactorily. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray featuring a top-notch A/V presentation and a fine assortment of supplemental features. Recommended Outlander: The Complete Seventh Season is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Daily Record
Experts warn fliers 'never' charge phone at the airport
Charging your device at the airport can lead to an increased chance you will be be a target for cyber criminal activity After a long day at the airport or while waiting during a layover, it can often be tempting to plug your phone into a public charging station at the airport to get it back to 100%. However, travel experts are now warning flyers that this seemingly harmless habit could come with serious risks. According to specialists at Wild Packs American Summer Camp, using public USB charging ports at airports could put travellers' personal and banking information at risk of theft. A prior warning by the FBI revealed that cybercriminals have "figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware" into phones, thereby compromising your data. Alarmingly, 40% of smartphone users are already running their devices with known vulnerabilities, making them more likely to be targeted. Jamie Fraser, travel expert at Wild Packs American Summer Camp, has explained exactly why you should avoid charging your phone at a public plug and what protective measures you should take. He reveals: "It might seem harmless to plug your phone into a public USB port while waiting for a flight, but doing so could put your data at serious risk." "Authorities like the FBI have previously warned travellers not to use these charging points in public places such as airports, hotels, and shopping centres - and there are three serious reasons why." Hidden Malware Threats "Public USB ports can be compromised by cybercriminals to install harmful software onto your phone without your knowledge," the expert states. Once installed this malware can operate silently in the background "including your passwords, banking details, and personal files." The expert warns: "You wouldn't know it's happening until it's too late." Juice Jacking The tactic known as 'juice jacking' involves hackers tampering with public charging stations, so when you "plug in your device malware is installed". "This tricks your phone into trusting the connection, giving criminals access to your private data. Once your phone is infected, it remains at risk even after you leave the airport," the expert says. Data Leaks Even if the charging station hasn't been tampered with there is still a risk. The expert explains: "Even if the charging point hasn't been altered, there's still a chance that your phone could share data unintentionally. Some public charging stations can transfer both power and data, and your phone might not properly distinguish between the two." "This opens the door to potential data interception, with stolen information being used for identity fraud." How to safely charge your phone at the airport Bringing a portable charger along next time you are travelling, Jamie says: "These gadgets can keep your phone charged throughout your journey, so you're not left risking your device on unfamiliar charging stations." If you need to charge your phone at the airport and have forgotten a portable charger, then it is best to use a regular wall outlet and your own charger. The expert warns against USB ports, saying: "USB ports can be tampered with more easily and may pose a greater security risk." The expert also recommends using a USB data blocker, explaining: "A USB data blocker is a small gadget that attaches to your charging cable and stops any data from being transferred, only power gets through. It's a simple way to protect your phone if you have no choice but to use a public USB port." Another hack for charging your phone at the airport would be to turn your phone off before plugging it in. Jame expresses: "Switching your phone off before plugging it into a public USB port won't eliminate the risk completely, but it can lower the chance of malware being installed in some situations." You should also disable data transfer, when charging your phone inside the airport. Jamie explains that this "ensures the cable is only used for charging and not for sharing personal information. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
