HANNAH JAMES: [Laughs] No it didnt say that.
I read the script at the hair salon.
I remember just sitting there and my jaw dropping when I got to the love scene.
Starz
I was like, Oh my God, what have I done.
With that said, it was a dream come true and I couldnt have been happier.
You rode side saddle in that one scene with Sam!
Starz
Have you ever done that before?
No, I havent.
So I was like, Dont tell anyone.
I can absolutely ride.
Pretend its totally fine.
I told my agent, Yeah, I grew up on a farm.
Ive been riding for years.
I thought it would be totally fine.
I was like, Im being tested?
I was a little terrified, but it was totally fine.
We rode astride for a little while and then switched over to side saddle.
One leg became very sore because you are using one more than the other.
But it was so much fun.
When we filmed that scene, they had a hard time getting me off the horse.
They were, Hannah?
You have to come down now.
Was that you who Sam dropped in the muddy water or was it a stunt double?
Im quite stubborn if Im honest.
I did all riding.
When it was a big fall, the stunt double did it because she knew how to fall safely.
She was in Sams arms and she dropped from there.
But what he and I did, I would literally just drop down my face into the mud.
And I would have to float into the mud.
It got all into my mouth, into my hair, my eyes.
Those were honest laughs we were having throughout the whole thing.
Lets talk about the most important scene of the episode.
He didnt want to be there, after all.
I think the from my perspective, Jamie knew it was a big moment for Geneva.
When he gets there, there is an intimacy that comes into the scene and the situation.
There is so much to interpret from this intimate scene.
Whats the right answer?
I dont think theres any vengeance or revenge in it because nobody is going to know.
Its not shes going to tell her dad that I slept with the groomsman, by the way.
I think it is for herself.
She knows that shell never be with a man that she truly loves and wants to sleep with.
So I dont see revenge in it toward her father.
I dont think its in a spiteful way to hurt other people.
Shes very selfish in doing it.
What do you think?
I never felt like he was raped.
I understand other peoples opinion and where they are coming in on it.
There is that softening with, you’re able to watch me undress.
He never had to do that.
There is that part where they are coming close and she says, I dont know what to do.
and he says, We dont have to go through with this.
You mentioned Tonis writing.
Was that ever in the script?
It was never in the script.
And I was so thrilled when I came across that.
Its quite an art.
Blackmail a beautiful man, sleep with him, have his child and die.
Oh and ride side saddle, by the way.
How long did all of this take, by the way?
Was it all done in the course of a week?
If they had done it all back to back, we could have done it all in a week.
But it was all spread out because of scheduling and locations and slipping back and forth between time periods.
So I went over earlier to do some costumes fittings …
I had one of the biggest wardrobes for that episode.
I had so many dresses, and they are all so beautiful.
And then also I had to confirm I could ride side saddle.
We did that sex scene on Nov. 24 and I wrapped the day after.
So it was spread out for me over a month.
Were you intimidated by the role at all?
I dont know, I wasnt really intimidated by it.
I was so excited and really thrilled that even such a small role could have such an arc.
It was a lot to bite off and chew on.
And Sam is such a giving actor as well.
Ive said this so many times.
He was, honestly a focal point.
Like, Okay, were fine.
We can totally do this.
Did you get a big hug from Sam when it was all over?
It was so bizarre.
The first 10 minutes of it, I was very, very nervous.
I looked at him and I just started laughing.
It was totally fine.
Just one of those things.
It was one of the most bizarre Thanksgivings I have ever had in my life.
There was such a jarring time-jump from your bedroom scene to you being pregnant.
Were there additional scenes that were shot but were cut?
It was always the way it was laid out.
I would have loved to have her have a bit more of a life.
We could have absolutely stretched her story out over a couple of episodes.
There was the controversy around it, anyway.
And I think honestly, everyone wants to get back to Claire and Jamie together.
You didnt even get a dramatic death scene!
Any chance that was shot?
I would have loved to do a death scene!
My God, it would have been amazing.
What is next for you?
IsMercy Streetgoing for another season?
It was a miniseries.
When I graduated from drama school I came to L.A. and did my first pilot scene.
I was ready to move onto my next thing.
I didOutlanderand now Im in the mix for several different roles.
I hope playing Geneva makes a huge difference for your career.
I could not have anticipated or wished for a sweeter response from everyone.
Those fans are crazy but wonderful.
They are wholehearted and lovely, and I was completely overwhelmed by everyone.
It was an absolute honor, and I was humbled by it!
Outlanderairs Sundays at 8 p.m.
