Outlander: Blood of my Blood season 2 episode 1 star on 'unsettling' opening scene that you won't have seen coming — 'it was exhausting to film'

Spoilers alert for Outlander: Blood of my Blood season 2, episode 1. The new season has begun on Starz and MGM+, delivering an electrifying start. Reuniting Claire and Jamie's parents, Brian, Ellen, Julia, and Henry, the story plunges into the tumultuous 1715 Jacobite Rising. As the Scottish Highlands are divided, Julia and Henry are separated; the latter finds himself in a 1924 psychiatric asylum, while his sister remains trapped in 1715, oblivious to the chaos that ensues.

Henry's plight is depicted through electric shock therapy, a scene both harrowing and creatively intense. Actor Jeremy Irvine, who portrays Henry, shared his thoughts on the grueling process of bringing the character to life. "It really jumps in at the deep end," he remarked, explaining how he immersed himself in extensive research and performance to capture the essence of Henry's fractured mental state.

Irvine candidly admitted, "It was exhausting to film," adding that he experienced a seizure-like state for several days while filming the scene. Despite the unsettling nature of the scene, Irvine found it thrilling and believes it sets a compelling tone for the season. He likened it to the unpredictable style of "American Horror Story" or "Ratched," emphasizing the show's ability to keep viewers off balance.

Irvine's fascination lies in Henry's mental degradation and the exploration of his warped reality. He expressed his excitement about delving into this new aspect of the character, finding it to be a challenging yet rewarding obstacle. Irvine also revealed that he suspected the dramatic shift before even reading the scripts, thanks to a memorable costume fitting that included a straitjacket.

The actor acknowledged the show's promise of unpredictability, asserting that the first episode was filmed before the others, allowing for a fresh start after the intense opening.