IN CONVERSATION WITH IZZY MEIKLE-SMALL

interview by JANA LETONJA

As ‘Outlander’ prepares to close its epic saga with its eighth and final season premiering on 6th March, Izzy Meikle-Small returns as fan-favorite Rachel Murray for a deeply personal and transformative final chapter. Joining a series that has captivated millions worldwide since 2014, Izzy entered the phenomenon at a pivotal moment, bringing a fresh lens to a globally adored story. Beyond acting, she is also an accomplished producer, recently completing two short films — ‘Emiko Jones’, a bilingual black-and-white musical, and ‘Bedcrumbs’, a queer comedy — further cementing her as a multidimensional creative force.

‘Outlander’ is entering its final season. How does it feel to be part of such a significant farewell chapter?

It’s bittersweet. It’s been an amazing few years, and I feel very lucky to have been part of such an iconic show. However, all good things must come to an end. I just hope the fans are happy with the ending, and that we’ve done them proud. 

Rachel quickly became a fan favorite. What do you think audiences connect with most in her?

I think it’s hard not to like Rachel. She’s kind, patient, loyal and independent. Period dramas don’t always depict women in the most full way, and I think ‘Outlander’ does that very well. Claire, Brianna, Rachel, they all feel like real multifaceted women, and I think we have a largely female audience that loves to watch that. Rachel was always a favourite character from the books as I think she brings in a very different perspective to that of the other women. She provides unique insight and is a good foil to the other characters.

This season explores Rachel’s journey into motherhood. How did you approach that evolution?

Last season, I like to think of as Rachel’s “coming of age.” She went on this big adventure and fell in love. Now at the beginning of season 8, we see her married, pregnant, and settled on the Ridge. It definitely felt like a big shift in terms of her maturity and her priorities. Now she is focussed on her husband, her family, and what’s best for her child. She has to make some big compromises for the good of her marriage, and I think that pushes her. She has always been patient and loyal, but that gets pushed closer to its limit this season. Having a real life baby on set definitely helped me feel that sense of maternal responsibility.

Joining ‘Outlander’ in its later seasons must have been unique. How did you navigate stepping into such an established world?

It was hard to know what to expect. From being cast to my first fan interaction was such a roller coaster. Our casting announcement was pushed earlier as some fans had already found out we were cast. The passion and dedication of the ‘Outlander’ fandom is unmatched. It’s impossible to preempt what that will look and feel like. It was a little intimidating from the outside, but I’ve been very much welcomed in by everyone with open arms, and I’m very grateful for that. 

The series has always explored love, loyalty, and resilience. How does Rachel embody those themes?

Rachel’s arc this season is defined exactly by those three things. ‘Outlander’ has always been about your chosen family, and what you will do for love. These are timeless themes that are universally relatable. Rachel really goes through it this season, but her love for her husband and her child are what gives her the resilience to endure. It’s a really lovely arc and we get to spend some more time with her this season, which I’m excited for. 

Beyond acting, you’re also producing films. What inspired you to step behind the camera?

I started as a child actor. When you’re on set as a kid, you are very protected, and rightly so. But it meant I was very shielded from the intricacies of how the set actually worked. When I went to University, I decided that I wanted to understand exactly how every element worked, and I started making shorts with friends. I realised how much I loved storytelling, from that angle as well as acting, and I kept making them. I think I’ve made 8 or so shorts now. Each film brings a new challenge and a new learning curve, and I really enjoy that. Getting to collaborate creatively in a different context has been so interesting, and I hope I get to produce more and more.

‘Emiko Jones’ and ‘Bedcrumbs’ are very different in tone. What draws you to such varied storytelling?

I think every short I’ve done has been totally different to the previous. That’s part of the fun. With producing, you get to tell stories you never normally would get to tell as an actor. As a producer you aren’t limited by your “casting,” so I’ve really been having fun with that. I love comedy, and I’ve been wanting to do some more contemporary scripts. And I’ve been able to do that with producing. 

With both of these shorts, I read the scripts and thought, “I haven’t done that yet,” and that’s what made them both exciting. ‘Bedcrumbs’ we shot on film, which was a huge learning curve, and ‘Emiko Jones’ is a bilingual black and white musical. Short films are amazing because you get to be so creative and play, whilst also learning a lot.

How does producing influence the way you approach roles on set?

I think it’s made me feel more settled. Before, I wouldn’t sometimes understand why we were having to do so many takes, or why a different set up would take so long to change over. But I suppose knowledge is power. Although at the same time, now I feel like I’ve sort of seen behind the curtain and now I notice things that I previously wouldn’t have. It’s a double-edged sword of sorts.

Is there a common thread that connects the projects you choose to produce?

Every short film I’ve produced so far, I’ve collaborated with a director that started as an actor. That wasn’t on purpose, it just sort of happened naturally. Which has been great. We have a kind of short hand as actors. It means that story and character are always the priority.

You’ve worked across historical drama, musical storytelling, horror-comedy, and queer narratives — how do you define your creative identity?

That’s a good question. I think I’m still figuring it out. That’s what has been amazing about working on short films. It’s a safe space to learn, to play, to explore. I never went to drama school and I was a child actor, so I was always learning on the job, and I still am. I think it takes time to figure out your creative place in the industry, and hopefully I get to keep figuring that out with people I love working with.

What does this transitional moment, both for the series and for you, represent personally?

‘Outlander’ has been a job that taught me many things, and gave me some amazing friendships and working relationships. I’m very grateful for all of it. Now I’m hoping that I have enough of a solid foundation that I can take some more risks. I’ve loved working in long form TV, but I’d love to mix it up and maybe go back to indie films. That’s sort of where I started. Who knows what the transition will bring, but I’m excited for what might be out there. We’ve been hidden away in Scotland, so it’s nice to be back in London.

What can you share with us about your upcoming projects?

‘Call the Midwife’ airs on my birthday, 22nd March on CBS in the States. So tune in to watch me give birth, on my birthday.

TEAM CREDITS:

photography BRENNAN BUCANNAN
styling GRACE RADHAKRISHNAN
make-up NOHELIA REYES