Outlander star Sam Heughan has been flooded with support from admirers following an emotional farewell to his latest role.
The Scottish actor, famed for his portrayal of beloved Highlander Jamie Fraser in the popular Starz series, recently made his stage comeback after more than a decade to play Macbeth at The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon.
His Shakespearean return garnered critical praise, with The Guardian awarding it five stars and describing it as “a terrifying lock-in with bloodied, boozed-up gangsters”.
This reimagined version of the celebrated Scottish tragedy transformed the famous nobleman into a Glaswegian criminal married to a pub landlady, played by Lia Williams.
Heughan’s final performance took place last Saturday (6th December), prompting him to share a touching message of gratitude on Instagram for all those who attended, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
Posting backstage photographs, including moments with Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench, he penned: “‘Happy prologues to the swelling act of the imperial theme!’
“Thank you to everyone that came to watch. What a fitful fever that was!! An honour to work with the best company and play the thane of Cawdor, in Stratford upon Avon.”
Devoted followers who witnessed his theatrical performance rushed to express their admiration in the comments.
One Instagram user gushed: “I feel so lucky I had the chance to see this play three times in november. You were amazing.
“Seeing you as Macbeth, see the expression on your face, the anxiety, the fear, the anger, the frustration, the sadness, a rollercoaster of emotions were there and I got [to] see and feel them all. You were really incredible. The whole cast was amazing. What an experience this was.”
Another fan gushed: “You and the whole cast and crew was amazing! Such a 180 from playing [Jamie]. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.”
“I was there for the first preview. Thank you so much, Sam,” a third wrote.
“You and the rest of the cast were amazing. You showed me a side of Macbeth I had never seen before.”
A final admirer added: “It was a joy to watch you and the company, and at times quite scary! I truly hope to see you in more plays in theatre.”
Heughan has wrapped his final appearance as Jamie Fraser opposite Caitriona Balfe, who portrays his time-travelling healer wife Claire.
The eighth and concluding series of Outlander arrives next March, with a second instalment of the prequel spin-off, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, to follow afterwards.
Looking ahead, Heughan will appear alongside Ewan McGregor, Juno Temple and Mark Strong in Everest, a forthcoming period survival thriller.
Outlander season 8 premieres Saturday, 7th March 2026 on MGM+ via Prime Video.
