Outlander's Graham McTavish was 'a little jealous' over Sam Heughan's Macbeth role

Outlander sensation Graham McTavish has confessed to being a little envious about his co-star Sam Heughan's latest theatrical gig in the Royal Shakespeare Company's Macbeth, reports the Irish Star.

In an exclusive interview with Reach Screen Time, the 65 year old actor, famed for his portrayal of Dougal MacKenzie in the Starz historical fantasy series, revealed: "I'd love to do theatre. I've got to be honest, I was a little jealous when I found out Sam was doing Macbeth because I'd love to do some theatre.

"I'm trying. There's a possibility I might be able to do something in the autumn of 2026 because it's been 18 years since I've been in theatre."

McTavish last graced the boards in 2006's Rainbow Kiss at the Royal Court Theatre in London, where he made a dramatic entrance wielding a real fireman's axe, reminiscent of Jack Torrance from The Shining.

"Honestly, it was fantastic and the best entrance I've ever had, and I don't think I'll ever have another one as good," he reminisced, recalling how the audience was "absolutely terrified".

He conceded that his role as a moneylender in the play was likely the "worst villain" he's ever portrayed, devoid of "no redeeming features" and simply "just a brute".

Among the spectators of Rainbow Kiss was none other than Sir Ian McKellen, who would later become his colleague in The Hobbit, and who expressed his astonishment by saying: "Where did they find you? Oh my goodness."

Four years on from their collaboration in The Hobbit, McTavish and McKellen's bond remains strong, with the Gandalf actor recalling McTavish's memorable stage presence.

McTavish reminisced: "It was such fun and I would never have thought that 18 years later I wouldn't have been on stage. Never."

He expressed a touch of melancholy, saying, "So, it's a little bit of a sadness for me because I did theatre every year from when I first became an actor. That's what I did all the time."

The actor humorously revealed his plans to watch his friend Heughan in Macbeth, quipping that he might "heckle" him from the audience.

Heughan and McTavish share a close friendship, having co-hosted the Starz series Men In Kilts and embarked on adventures from Scotland to New Zealand, often with comical results.

Despite frequent messaging, McTavish admitted it had been some time since they met face-to-face, but a reunion is imminent at the upcoming Outlander: Blood of My Blood premiere in LA.

McTavish is set to captivate audiences in a starkly contrasting role in his latest film Dirty Boy, debuting at the Raindance Film Festival in the UK this weekend.

Dirty Boy spins a grim narrative about a young man battling schizophrenia and raised within a cult, who seeks to exonerate himself from a string of murders pinned on him by the sect.

In this indie flick, McTavish portrays the eerily composed yet menacing cult leader Walter Wentworth.

Walter may not be as extreme as McTavish's Rainbow Kiss role, but the actor has described the cult leader he portrays as one of his darkest characters yet, likening him to the notorious Jeffrey Epstein.

The film Dirty Boy also features performances from Susie Porter, Stan Steinbichler and Honor Gillies, among others.

McTavish expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, "I immediately agreed. I loved the script," after being approached by writer-director Doug Rao.

Delving into the film's genre, McTavish clarified: "People will stick it into a horror genre, it's much more than that. It's really a psychological thriller but it's very disconcerting, very disturbing and you just keep feeling like something really bad is about to happen."

Dirty Boy has its UK Premiere at Raindance Film Festival on June 22 and is in UK Cinemas from 22nd August

Outlander season 7 is available to buy now on Digital and is streaming on MGM+ via Prime Video now