From Australian Soap to Scottish Highlands: David Berry’s Journey with Outlander
For eight years, Australian actor David Berry has been a familiar face in the globally acclaimed time-travelling drama, Outlander. Portraying the complex and compelling Lord John Grey, Berry’s character navigated the rigid societal norms of the 1700s as an openly gay man, a significant narrative arc within the series. Now back on Australian soil in Sydney, Berry reflects on his time with the hit show, his early career in Australian television, and the surprising legacy of his role as a “homewrecker.”
Berry’s acting journey in Australia began with a memorable stint on the long-running soap opera Home and Away in 2012. He recalls his role as Logan Meyer, a character who famously disrupted the onscreen marriage of Samara Weaving and Luke Mitchell’s characters. “I had the privilege of being the homewrecker to Samara Weaving and Luke Mitchell’s [onscreen] marriage,” Berry explains. He recently reconnected with Mitchell in New York, a testament to the lasting impact of their early roles. “It was like, ‘Hey, I haven’t seen you in 15 years,’ but it’s cool to run into these people who got their start on Home and Away.” Berry playfully adds that Mitchell “should remember me” given the dramatic storyline. He attributes his character’s success in breaking up the marriage to Romeo Smith’s (Mitchell’s character) neglect of Indi (Weaving’s character), stepping in as a supportive figure.
Following his Home and Away appearance, Berry enjoyed a significant run on the Seven drama A Place to Call Home for six seasons. In this role as James Bligh, he explored themes of sexuality and identity. This experience, he believes, proved invaluable when the opportunity to audition for Outlander arose. “The network invested so much money into that show, and it gave me such a great experience, learning how to work on a set and in a very complex, well-written character,” Berry shares. “I think that really put me in good stead for the Lord John Grey audition that came up.”
Initially hesitant due to the perceived overlap with his previous character’s struggles with sexuality, Berry was ultimately captivated by the writing. He auditioned with minimal expectations but was thrilled to land the role. “It was pretty much a whirlwind after the audition,” he recalls. “I think it was about a week after I got the role, I was there [in Scotland] with absolutely no idea what I was doing.”
Berry admits he had limited prior knowledge of Outlander, only knowing of it peripherally through a friend who had auditioned for the role of Claire Fraser. Upon arriving in Scotland, he delved into the series, downloading episodes and immersing himself in the world. He was also provided with the extensive “Outlander Bible,” a comprehensive guide penned by the series’ author, Diana Gabaldon. However, Berry ultimately relied on his instincts and “went with my gut.”
The Enduring Appeal of Lord John Grey
When asked to describe Lord John Grey, Berry highlights his “enduring kindness and ability to love selflessly and without an expectation of anything in return.” He further elaborates, “He loves courageously and loves fearlessly. Not just Jamie Fraser, but his adoptive son.”
The poignant aspect of Lord John’s character is his unrequited love for Jamie Fraser. “One of the main points of feedback that I get from fans is a real yearning,” Berry notes. “Calling for Lord John to have some kind of meaningful romantic connection with someone, because, as we all know, he cannot have that with Jamie Fraser.” He points to Lord John’s tangential connections to Jamie, including marrying his daughter and becoming his son’s adoptive father, as evidence of this enduring, albeit complicated, bond. The upcoming eighth season, he hints, may offer a new romantic interest for the beloved character.
Berry also speaks highly of his co-star, Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie Fraser. “Sam is a beautiful man, and I don’t think I am at risk of being controversial on that topic!” he jokes. “Millions of people agree with me, adoring fans of Jamie Fraser. I mean, he embodies that character so well.” Berry expresses admiration for Heughan’s ability to embody the character so completely, admitting to a touch of jealousy. He also commends both Heughan and Caitriona Balfe (Claire Fraser) for their profound contributions to the show’s success. “They bring a depth to the characters, and they really embrace the writing and the relationship that they’re able to portray on screen is, obviously, one of the major recipes for the success of this show. It’s just so tangible and real, and that is a credit to them as actors.”
Fan Devotion and Artistic Disruption
The intense fan devotion to Claire and Jamie’s relationship, and the speculation about their off-screen chemistry, is something Berry acknowledges. “You’re right, people are very invested in it,” he says. “I understand. But of course, it’s not the case.” He describes the experience of fans becoming so deeply connected to the characters that they perceive them as real. “That’s a real privilege to have, to be actually in the hearts and minds of fans [so much] that you literally exist, that they think you’re real.” This profound fan investment, he feels, makes the final season particularly emotional for them.
Berry admits to a “perverse delight” in Lord John Grey’s controversial entanglement with Claire in season seven, an event that significantly upset fans. “It definitely upset Jamie Fraser, and upset everyone on the show, honestly,” he states. “And I was quite delighted about that.” He links this back to his Home and Away roots, enjoying the role of a “homewrecker.” “But anytime you get a chance to really disrupt the material – and I knew I was coming between this relationship – everyone adores Jamie and Claire – so to step in between that and to just tread that line, was really quite fun as an artistic challenge.”
Skills Acquired and Future Possibilities
Reflecting on the skills gained from his time on Outlander, Berry mentions practical aspects such as improving his ability to manage jet lag and live in hotel rooms for extended periods. His previous role on A Place to Call Home had already equipped him with horse riding skills, and his childhood fascination with costumes meant he was already comfortable with swordplay. “Scotland gave me an appreciation for Scotland – understanding the accent and how to eat haggis, and what Irn-Bru is [a fizzy orange Scottish soft drink] and Tunnock’s Tea Cakes, they always had those on set, all those cultural things they flash with pride about.”
With Lord John Grey also being the subject of a successful book series, the possibility of his return on screen remains a tantalizing prospect. “There’s a whole series of books, and fans have been very vocal about a spin-off series,” Berry reveals. “There’s great material there that I’d be excited to explore further. There’s more stories to tell with the character, Hell-Fire Club would be one of them. I know there’s a lot of interest there.” He expresses his willingness to reprise the role, citing the rich source material provided by Gabaldon’s novels.
A Memento from the Set
Among his most treasured souvenirs from the show is Lord John Grey’s signet ring, a significant prop that has played a crucial role since the series began. Berry explains that the ring was created for him upon his arrival in Scotland and was initially explained as a symbol for Hector, Lord John Grey’s first love. “It’s got an ‘H’ in it, and it’s got a lock of his hair in it, which the costume department also told me that they tried to fashion into the shape of Jamie Fraser.” He muses, “If you can see Jamie Fraser, then I guess it tells you where your mind’s at. And I guess Lord John Grey’s mind is probably always on Jamie Fraser, to some extent.”
Outlander season eight is currently streaming on Binge, with new episodes released on Saturdays. The series is also available on Showcase on Saturdays at 4pm and 8:30pm.
