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Outlander Stars Unite for Andrew Gower’s Music Video Project
Fans of the acclaimed television series Outlander will be delighted to hear of a recent collaboration bringing together several familiar faces. Outlander cast members Steven Cree (Old Ian Murray), Duncan Lacroix (Murtagh Fitzgibbons), and Claire Sermonne (Louise de Rohan) have joined forces for a unique venture, appearing in a music video for the band Gustaffson, fronted by fellow Outlander actor Andrew Gower, known for portraying Bonnie Prince Charlie. This exciting project highlights the strong bonds within the Outlander community and showcases their diverse talents beyond the hit show.
Celebrity Cameos in “Closer” Music Video
The Outlander alumni are not alone in this star-studded production. Numerous other celebrities, including Leanne Best from Line of Duty, David Gyasi of The Diplomat, and Arty Froushan from Carnival Row, lent their talents to the Gustaffson music video. For the band’s new single “Closer,” from their debut album “Black & White Movie,” these actors and performers generously shared previously unseen audition self-tapes. These clips are skillfully interwoven with footage of Andrew Gower performing “Closer” live at Manchester’s Albert Hall, creating a dynamic and engaging visual experience.
Exclusive Insights from Andrew Gower on Actor Collaboration
In an exclusive interview, Andrew Gower, the lead singer of Gustaffson and known to Outlander audiences as Bonnie Prince Charlie, explained the genesis of this remarkable collaboration. He highlighted the unique aspect of the project, noting that some of the participating Outlander actors had never actually shared scenes together on screen. This music video provided a novel opportunity for them to “appear” together, fostering a sense of community that extends beyond their work on the show.
“The nice thing is some of those Outlander actors haven’t been in scenes together, so they can say they’ve been in scenes together now. It’s been wonderful,” Gower stated. He emphasized the enduring camaraderie among the Outlander cast, explaining, “Again, another job Outlander – that community, that cast, regardless of being in scenes or episodes together, we managed to stay in touch. Duncan and Steven were two of the first people to send their stuff over. It was so wonderful to have them in it and so nice to see them out of their Outlander costumes as well.”
Outlander Connections and Future Collaborations
Gower, whose acting credits also include roles in Black Mirror, Carnival Row, and the detective drama Ellis, maintains close ties with many of his Outlander colleagues through fan conventions. He acknowledged the strong fan interest in the previous seasons of Outlander, especially as the series approaches its conclusion, making reflections on past seasons particularly meaningful.
“There’s a lovely demand for us to talk about past seasons and obviously with the show coming to an end, the demand, and looking back at the past seasons is becoming more poignant.”
Potential Future Music Video Cameos
Expressing gratitude for his experience with the Outlander cast, Gower voiced his enthusiasm for future collaborations. When questioned about the possibility of Sam Heughan or Caitríona Balfe appearing in a Gustaffson music video, Gower affirmed that “the door would always be open” to them, suggesting potential future team-ups.
Sam Heughan’s Support for Gustaffson
While Sam Heughan did not feature in the “Closer” music video, Gower revealed that Heughan’s Sassenach Spirits brand is sponsoring Gustaffson’s sold-out concert at Bush Hall. Attendees at the event will be treated to a cocktail inspired by the “Black and White Movie” album, further highlighting the interconnectedness of the Outlander family and their support for each other’s artistic endeavors.
“Sam has been so amazing, just the type of person he is,” Gower remarked, praising Heughan’s generosity. He described this support as “really special,” attributing it to Sam’s character and adding, “It really again shows the power of Sam and Cait and the cast supporting other people’s art. Such a special night and makes the Black and White Movie theme even more poignant for us when we go to Bush Hall.”
Further Outlander Musical Links
The Outlander connections extend beyond cast appearances. Bear McCreary, the composer for the show’s score, previously collaborated with Gustaffson on the single “Flowers,” released last year, demonstrating the deep musical ties within the Outlander universe.
The Genesis of “Closer”
The single “Closer” emerged from video calls between Gower and his bandmate James ‘Webbo’ Webster regarding Gustaffson. Gower expressed a strong desire for “face-to-face collaboration to make art,” highlighting the importance of personal interaction in creative processes.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the acting industry, leading to a surge in self-tape auditions due to lockdown restrictions. Actors were compelled to record audition scenes at home, replacing in-person castings and contributing to feelings of isolation.
Showcasing Actor Self-Tapes
In response to this shift, Gower reached out to a network of actors he admired, including past collaborators, inviting them to share self-tapes they felt were “never seen” or that held personal significance. He aimed to give these audition tapes a new platform within the “Closer” music video.
Gower commented that while these videos might have “fallen between the cracks in the acting industry,” they would now “live on” within the context of Gustaffson’s artistic project, providing them with a renewed purpose and audience.
Sir Ben Kingsley’s Cameo
“Closer” also features a notable appearance by national icon Sir Ben Kingsley, who delivers a passionate speech emphasizing the importance of artists finding their “tribe” and cultivating self-belief. Kingsley shared that this very message resonated with him during his drama school years, stating, “That got me through drama school.” Gower expressed his long-standing admiration for Sir Ben, acknowledging his impactful work across various roles, from Sexy Beast to numerous other acclaimed performances.
“Black & White Movie” Album Described as Cinematic
Gustaffson’s debut album, “Black and White,” is promoted as a “cinematic experience,” with each song designed to function as a mini-film. The accompanying music videos showcase a diverse range of media and feature an impressive ensemble cast beyond the Outlander universe, including Daniel Ings from The Crown and The Gentleman, Sharon D. Clarke from Ellis, Matthew McNulty from Deadwater Fell, and Kiran Sonia Sawar from Black Mirror.
Gustaffson Band Origins
The band Gustaffson was established during the pandemic and released their debut EP, “The Jacaranda,” in 2022. The band’s name pays tribute to Gower‘s Swedish great-grandmother, Louisa Gustaffson, whose kindness inspired the track “Some Kind of Sweden.”
Future Projects and Balancing Passions
Gower remains creatively prolific, already formulating plans for a follow-up album. Simultaneously, his acting career is flourishing, with a short film titled “Blessed Are They That Fear the Lord” currently in development, according to IMDb listings.
Integrating Music and Acting
Reflecting on managing his dual passions, Gower expressed his desire for synergy between his musical and acting pursuits. “I like to think the music and the acting will continue to complement each other,” he stated, envisioning a future where these two creative outlets enrich one another.
Ambitions for Music and Acting
Looking ahead, Gower shared his overarching ambitions for both music and acting, revealing a desire to merge these worlds. “One of my big aims and one of Gustaffson’s big aims is to write for TV and to definitely create a drama or a film that combines both of them. That’s where I want to end up,” he concluded, hinting at exciting cross-disciplinary projects on the horizon.
Gustaffson’s debut album Black & White Movie is available now
Outlander season 7 is available to buy now on Digital and is streaming on MGM+ via Prime Video now