I want to start by asking about Brianna’s reunion with parents because that’s what this season has really been building to. What was it like to shoot that first scene with Sam Heughan?
It’s quite a nice parallel because I think that was actually the first scene that Sam and I ever shot together. We’ve done press and been in and around set together for a couple of years, but we haven’t worked together yet. So that was really cool because it gave it that fresh sort of energy.
Their reunion is actually one of my favorite scenes, not just because it’s one of the most anticipated moments from the book, but because there’s so much going on for Bree. It’s not a simple “meeting your father for the first time” moment. She’s got Laoghaire’s
voice in her head about will Jamie accept her?; she’s missing her mother; she’s come fresh off the back of losing Roger; and a rape; and losing her virginity; and everything else. She’s so broken.
More after the jump!
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That moment with Sam is so touching, but I almost think the more impactful scene is Brianna’s reunion with her mother.
Bree just needs her mom so badly. What’s beautiful about the scene is that it shows how far Brianna and Claire have come.
In season two and even season three, we’ve seen that they have had a very strained relationship—for all of Bree’s life really. We’ve seen it sort of piecing together slowly and slowly, and as soon as they come closer, they fall apart with Claire going back to the past. They really thought they’d never see each other again—Bree was an orphan as far as she thought.
Their reunion scene shows that no matter how old you are, sometimes when things go really bad, all you need is your mum and a hug. Bree’s been on this voyage for months and months and months, and she really needs her mother. So I wanted to kind of throw Bree at her mum almost, showing that desperation and that need for her mother. I kind of winded Caitriona a bit, nearly knocked her off her feet, but that’s the moment. I think it’s lovely. I think the look on both our faces is just so heartwarming.
A great interview by Sophie. I’m amazed that through Seasons 2, 3 and 4 how Brianna’s relationship with her Mother had changed. In Season 4 we got to understand Brianna more and more. All of that is actually in the planning from day one “so to speak” and culminates into the deep connection she actually does have with her Mom, whom she needs desperately.