“Wow, what a season,” remarks leading man Sam Heughan about the acclaimed sixth season of the Starz drama “Outlander.” For our recent webchat, in which we discuss the highs and lows of the season and what might be on the horizon for Jamie, Heughan declares, “it was a very intense season and it was a shorter season due to various factors, you know, COVID and to my wonderful co-star being pregnant and working right up until the wire, until she almost gave birth. But despite all of those challenges, I think it’s honestly one of my favorites; it’s dark, it’s unsettling. You see the Frasers popularity waning, you see this decay coming.” Watch our exclusive video interview above.

SEE over 500 interviews with 2022 Emmy contenders

Season 6 begins with Jamie (Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe) back at Frasers’ Ridge in the aftermath of Claire’s abduction and brutal assault last season. Claire is spiraling out of control, dependent on ether as a way to numb her pain, while Jamie continues to hold fort, navigating the hardships of colonial life while the threat of the Revolutionary War looms in the background. As old rivals emerge on the Ridge, Jamie is faced with imminent threats, vicious rumors and unspeakable tragedy as his beloved Claire begins to slip away under the weight of her trauma and grief. The season concludes with a nail-biting shoot-out followed by Claire’s wrongful arrest for murder. The two soulmates are once again torn apart in the final moments of the season finale, as Jamie fends off another attack with the help of Young Ian (John Bell) and his Mohawk family, ultimately riding off on horseback to find Claire and bring her home.

Some of Heughan’s best work last season was in the quieter moments, as a more mindful and wary Jamie is faced with rising tensions around him and also from within as the love of his life begins to implode before his eyes. Rather than react with the unbridled fire of the wilder Jamie of years gone by, an older and wiser Jamie has become a sight to behold as Heughan so expertly shows so much emotion without even uttering more than a few words. “Jamie’s fortitude is his natural place. He’s a very strong man and strong in the face of adversity,” he explains. “but he’s also more fragile now, as he’s gotten older. He’s got more to lose. In the old days he was pretty tempestuous. He wouldn’t think twice before punching someone or getting into battle, and now he doesn’t care about his body per se, but he cares about losing others. He has a lot more to lose. He has his whole family now, his extended family. But I think that the one thing is just Claire,” he says. “He can’t live without her.”

PREDICT the 2022 Emmy nominees by July 12

Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Don’t miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

SIGN UP for Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions

Click here to watch our lively “Late, Late Show with James Corden” panel.

Our guests are James Corden, plus executive producers Ben Winston and Rob Crabbe. Hosts are Gold Derby founder Tom O’Neil and senior editor Joyce Eng.

BELOW: See our 40-minute “Making Of” roundtable panels, including a mix of showrunners, cast members, producers, writers and/or crafts artisans.

CLICK EACH TITLE TO WATCH:

“Better Call Saul” (view now)

Watch our lively chats with Simone Ashley (“Bridgerton”) and over 500 more performers, showrunners and crafts people, including the most recent…

Join the lively discussion in Gold Derby’s famous forums monitored closely by Hollywood chiefs. Share your views!

Here’s how to make your predictions at Gold Derby and join the fun.

Is ‘Titanic’ still the king of the world? On this week’s episode of Oscars Playback, experts Joyce Eng and Christopher Rosen look back on the biggest Academy Awards ever, when James Cameron ruled and Matt and Ben were mere newcomers.

Gold Derby is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2022 Gold Derby Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Deadline Media