Outlander Stars John Bell & Izzy Meikle-Small Talk Losing Rollo and a New Family

As Outlander Season 7 came to an end, there was a mixture of emotions for Young Ian and Rachel.

While the two were certainly looking forward to starting their lives together, they also mourned the loss of a faithful member of the family.

John Bell and Izzy Meikle-Small chatted exclusively with TV Fanatic about the loss of Rollo, looking forward to starting their new family, and the end of this epic Outlander journey.

TV Fanatic: Let’s jump in. Final season, what’s it like to wrap this epic story? 

Izzy Meikle-Small: Emotional.

John Bell: Emotional, confusing. Girl, I’m so confused sometimes. It’s a moment.

It’s a huge, huge finale, both on screen and off. For me, especially, I think it’s hard to sum it up in words after 10 years. But it is also beautiful.

You know, the thing that I’m looking back on, through this whole process, is the amazing relationships and friendships that I’m taking away from this. It’s very, very sweet.

But definitely tinged with a bit of sadness, like any 10-year relationship. 

When it’s over, you’re immensely proud that you’ve got to take it this far and bring it to its deserved conclusion. But there’s also sadness that I don’t get to keep turning up to play with my pals.

Outlander Season 7 saw Rachel and Ian in this really happy place, but we’ve lost Rollo. How are they feeling about losing one child, so to speak, but gaining another?

JB: I always forget, because of course, Rachel actually took Rollo when Ian and Rachel first met, which was one of the biggest signs of trust and care, because that truly was his first child, his first baby. 

You definitely feel his absence.

IMS: Totally. I feel like Rollo was kind of our wingman. That’s how I like to see it.

He really made sure we ended up together. When he passes on, it’s extra sad because he was the biggest champion of our love.

JB: But he’s also kind of giving his blessing to you. 

Ian’s always been a bit of a lone wolf. He’s always been in different worlds and never quite fitted in completely, fully.

And so when he finally does find his home by Rachel’s side, it’s almost like Rollo goes, “Okay, you’re going to be okay now. I’m going to go to sleep.”

And that’s really quite emotional and beautiful, poignant, I would say.

TV Fanatic: Yeah! Definitely! As we start Outlander Season 8, we’re back with the Revolutionary War surrounding them, but this family unit is coming together. What’s that been like?

IMS: We’re forming our own family unit. We’ve got our own family going on. But also, we’re finding our own place on the ridge.

Obviously, Ian is going back home, and he knows that place very well. But for Rachel, it’s a totally new world.

She hasn’t really met Brianna and Roger much. I think she’s had a lot to do with Claire and Jamie, and she loves them and feels very much at home with them.

But Bree coming back, and her getting a kind of sister-in-law, is really fun. We get to see their relationship kind of slowly evolve. 

It feels like the beginning of their new phase of life, which is exciting.

JB: I always like to think of Rachel and Ian as yin and yang, and they’re finding that balance together.

TV Fanatic: Yeah, they are because they’re polar opposites. And I love that.

JB: But don’t they say polar opposites attract?

TV Fanatic: That they do!

You can check out the full interview in the video below:

Outlander Season 8 brings us to the end of the epic journey, sharing storylines from the ninth book, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, while also wrapping up the series in a way that suits it.

I’ve been on this ride from almost the beginning, and I’m here seeing it through to the final conclusion. Will you join me along the way?

Outlander Season 8 premieres on Friday, March 6, on Starz.

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