Outlander’s Tobias Menzies has left an indelible mark as both historian Frank Randall and his ancestor Captain ‘Black Jack’ Randall in the Starz series. Yet, what fans might not know is that Menzies was almost involved in a different capacity, reports the Daily Record.

Discussing the series on the official Outlander podcast, executive producer Ronald D. Moore shared an intriguing detail from the novel: “When they’re at Versailles, Jamie and Claire see Alex [Randall] across the way.

“Claire actually faints because she thinks it’s Jack because they’re almost identical.”

But he explained why they didn’t double down on Menzies for another role: “And I thought you couldn’t go there in the show because we were casting Tobias as both Jack and Frank.”

Tobias Menzies played Captain Black Jack Randall(Image: STARZ)

The question arose, “Somebody asked at one point, ‘Will you cast Tobias as Alex as well?’ That’s a bridge too far. You’re not going to get away with it.”

Anne Kenney, who joined the podcast, was struck by Laurence Dobiesz’s resemblance as Alex: “It’s amazing how much he looks like him.”

Moore further clarified about not casting Menzies as Alex: “Yeah, you can’t go three times. That’s too much, so we just opted to not play that card.

Laurence Dobiesz as Alex Randall(Image: STARZ)

“I think it’s believable. I look at him and think absolutely that could be Tobias’ brother.”

Though Menzies wasn’t chosen to portray Alex, the roles of Frank and Black Jack remain pivotal throughout Outlander, particularly as Alex introduces a starkly contrasting persona to the ruthless Black Jack during the show’s second season. .

Claire Fraser’s (Caitríona Balfe) late husband Frank, who helped raise her daughter Brianna Mackenzie (Sophie Skelton), will always be remembered by them.

Tobias Menzies as kindly historian Frank Randall(Image: STARZ)

The brutality Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) experienced at the hands of Black Jack still leaves emotional and physical scars, even though Black Jack is dead.

Black Jack appears again in Diana Gabaldon’s book “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood,” but not in the TV series. .

Menzies, known for his roles in The Crown and Game of Thrones, had already announced that he won’t return to Outlander for its final two seasons.

In 2024, Menzies told TV Line, “What am I allowed to say? It would be great. “[But] no, you will not see me. .

“They’re going to bring it home magnificently, I’m sure.”