Outlander newcomer Joey Phillips has opened up about what could be in store for his character Denzell Hunter in the upcoming second half of the hit Starz drama’s seventh season
A key cast member has hinted at an emotional journey for his character in the eagerly awaited second half of Outlander’s seventh season.
Outlander newcomer Joey Phillips has given a sneak peek into what lies ahead for his character Denzell Hunter when the popular Starz drama finally makes its comeback later this year.
Fans will have been waiting for well over a year when the seventh season finally resumes Claire (played by Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser’s (Sam Heughan) story this November.
In the latest instalment of the captivating historical saga, viewers were introduced to Quakers Denzell and his sister Rachel Hunter (Izzy Meikle-Small) who were expelled from the Society of Friends due to Denzell’s support of American Independence.
Along the way, Denzell has been assisting Claire in the challenging task of caring for injured and dying soldiers.
Part two could showcase more of their dynamic after last year’s midseason finale saw the two surgeons bond over their struggles with the horrific violence.
A clip from the episode in which Denzell poignantly asks Claire, “Can it be worth it, all this death?” seamlessly leads into a preview from actor Joey for how this could unfold.
“To have that relationship, that ally…” he elaborated.
“To know that someone else has been asking the same questions, someone else is going through the same thing as you…
“Someone else is struggling, it just, you know, it lightens the load a little bit.”
Sadly, Claire and Jamie set off for Scotland at the end of the first half, but their stay might be brief as they were tasked with laying General Simon Fraser (Angus Macfadyen) to rest in his native land.
Even if they don’t come back, Denzell’s connection with Claire could still aid him in overcoming some of the greatest obstacles he has yet to encounter as America enters one of its most tumultuous periods in history.
“I know that I can confide in Claire,” Joey revealed to Starz. “And it just reassures you that what you’re doing is the right thing.
“Because I think on that huge scale when you’re seeing so much death, you’re like, ‘Am I even helping? Why am I here?’
“And so I think that’s gonna be a constant struggle with him. But that conversation with Claire reassures him that, yeah, you’re doing the right thing.”
Regardless of whether Claire and Denzell meet again, the drama will continue to shift back to America during the second half of season seven to keep tabs on the Frasers’ new allies.
Denzell’s sister Rachel is also set for a battle after forming a bond with Young Ian Murray (John Bell), only to watch him depart with the Frasers to Scotland, so the emotional stakes are already sky-high for the show’s grand return this November.
Outlander season 7, part 2 premieres Sunday, November 22 on Starz.