Take a look behind the scenes at the burning of the big house to the chest that Jamie and Claire left for Jemmy.
The Fire
Burning the Big House took an expert combo of special effects (yes, many of those flames were real!) and visual effects. Learn more about how the fire came together on screen:
One Production Designer giveth, and one taketh away. Said Mike Gunn, “I actually sent Jon Gary Steele an email with photographs of the aftermath and said, ‘Listen, Gary. I’m really sorry but this is what I’ve done to your set. I’ve trashed it.’ He took it well.”
Creating the aftermath was just as much work, if not more, than burning the set down! In fact, the scenes depicting the Big House in flames and the scenes of the aftermath were filmed around six months apart.
Costumes
True to how people mended and repurposed clothing historically, costumes seen in one episode often find a new home in another. This episode is no exception!
Goodbye Wilmington
The Big House isn’t the only set we’re saying goodbye to. As the lease ran out at the location used since Season 4 and since our characters are hitting the road, it’s time to say goodbye to Wilmington too. Here’s how the cast and crew prepped logistically and emotionally.
What part of Wilmington will Production Designer Mike Gunn and Set Decorator Stuart Bryce miss most? There’s a clear winner: The Red Falcon Inn.
You’ve Got mail
The chest was built from scratch using Dutch strong boxes from a prop house which allowed Prop Makers to take casts of parts like brass corners and lock mechanisms. Then, letters were carved in to make it look branded. No detail is too small!
Though Set Decorator Stuart Bryce was given the note for Jemmy’s chest of letters to look “well-traveled,” he got a little more than he bargained for…
Lallybroch
We all know Lallybroch is one special set. Read what Sophie Skelton had to say about shooting at this classic Outlander location.
