Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish skirt ‘Outlander’ to be ‘Men in Kilts’

Nice Scots, they’re again.

“Outlander” stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish return for his or her journey docuseries, “Males in Kilts: A Highway Journey with Sam and Graham.” 

Every half-hour episode of the primary season adopted the Scottish actors as they traveled by way of their native nation, educating the viewers about native meals and drinks, conventional dance and superstitions, historical past, and extra. Alongside the way in which, the buddies relentlessly teased one another. 

Now, Season 2 sends them to New Zealand. 

Premiering Aug. 11 (midnight on the Starz app and 9:30 p.m. on Starz), Season 2 begins with Heughan, 43, sitting alone in a bar trying forlorn, bemoaning to a bored bartender about how he misses his good friend. 

He calls McTavish, 62 — naturally, his mobile phone ring tone is the “Outlander” theme music — and reminisces about their adventures in Season 1. Whereas Heughan is enthusiastic, footage exhibits McTavish having a worse time filming Season 1 (particulary in experiencing jump-scares from Heughan). 

Quickly, Heughan exhibits up at McTavish’s home (the scene amusingly performs like a horror film, full with suspense music whereas McTavish friends round corners, trying terrified of who’s at his door). Then, the 2 set off on one other street journey — this time on the opposite aspect of the world. 

Just like Season 1, the 2 Scottish actors take a van to discover the native sights.

Episodes give attention to matters corresponding to meals and drinks, the various adrenaline-junkie actions which can be widespread in New Zealand, and the tradition and customs of the Māori individuals. 

All of the whereas, Heughan and McTavish tease one another: “As soon as once more I discover myself sitting in a confined house with you, it’s fairly disturbing,” McTavish says to Heughan at one level. “I usually marvel, ‘What did I do to deserve this?’” 

They’ve acquired good chemistry, as Heughan is the goofier and extra adventurous one, whereas McTavish rolls his eyes at Heughan’s antics, and is reluctant to do among the extra excessive actions — corresponding to a zipline 100 meters over a canyon, throughout which a scared-of-heights McTavish yells, “Why, Heughan?” and “How a lot do I f–king hate that man!” as he zooms by way of the air.

Movie star journey exhibits can vary from overly self-indulgent and boring – generally the star simply desires to to take a paid trip — to genuinely attention-grabbing.  

Fortunately, “Males in Kilts” falls into the second class. 

Whereas it will be extra fulfilling to audiences who’re already accustomed to “Outlander,” it’s nonetheless acquired loads to supply for many who are unfamiliar with Heughan and McTavish however wish to discover New Zealand on their screens.

Season 1 had the benefit of being their house nation (and one of many foremost settings for “Outlander”). However, New Zealand isn’t a completely new horizon, both, as a result of McTavish (who mentioned he fell in love with the nation whereas filming “The Hobbit” motion pictures) is a resident.  

The duo deliver the identical zest to discover this nation that they delivered to Scotland. There’s additionally nonetheless loads of Scottish-adjacent matters to cowl, because the present touches on the Scottish cultural affect in New Zealand. And sure, the lads do nonetheless put on kilts in among the episodes.  

“Males in Kilts” is a journey docuseries that’s informative and entertaining — and, it simply so occurs to have two madcap hosts with an odd-couple dynamic who can’t cease razzing one another. 

No matter whether or not you’re an “Outlander” fan, it’s quite a lot of enjoyable.