The stars of Outlander have publicly shown their support for their co-star Sam Heughan, after he revealed he has faced years of bullying, stalking, and harassment on social media over the weekend.
“It’s affecting my life, mental state, and is a daily concern,” Heughan said in a statement on Twitter. “My co-stars, friends, family, myself, in fact anyone I’m associated with, has been subjected to personal slurs, shaming, abuse, death threats, stalking, sharing of private information, and vile, false narrative.”
“These false claims vary from me manipulating fans, being a closet-homosexual, trying to mislead or exhort fans for money, and disregarding COVID advice. I’ve done none of the above. I’m a normal guy and nothing like the characters I play,” he said.
Heughan couldn’t say more because of legal reasons, but said “they [the perpetrators] are professionals: teachers, psychologists, adults who should know better.”
After six years, Heughan said he has had enough of the abuse. “I will not entertain it anymore and am blocking anyone that writes anything defamatory or abusive.”
“To every fan that has supported me and the work I do, THANK YOU,” he wrote. “I’m so grateful, from the bottom of my heart.”
Stay safe all.x pic.twitter.com/9WbwAnT6nz
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) April 17, 2020
After his shocking reveal, #WeStandWithSam and #BeKind started trending on Twitter as people rallied around the actor. Based on Heughan and his co-stars’ statements, it appears the brunt of the abuse is coming from a toxic corner of the Outlander fanbase.
Caitriona Balfe, who plays Heughan’s on-screen wife Claire Fraser, said that “unfortunately a VERY SMALL but very vocal part of this fandom use their energy to write and say awful untrue things. Maybe they should harness all that energy to get involved in their local charities. And honestly it’s quite simple … if you don’t like us … it’s a big beautiful world out there. Find something you do love and enjoy that.”
..harness all that energy to get involved in their local charities… And honestly it’s quite simple … If you don’t like us .. it’s a big beautiful world out there. Find something you do love and enjoy that. Life as it’s all too clear right now is short. Why waste it hating.
— Caitríona Balfe (@caitrionambalfe) April 17, 2020
Sophie Skelton, who plays Brianna Randall, tweeted: “Screens don’t protect from those sticks and stones so please stop throwing them.”
Screens don’t protect from those sticks and stones so please stop throwing them. Thankfully, there are also incredible fans out there, and thankfully we have a very close cast. Standing together. We love you, Heughan. @SamHeughan ❤️ https://t.co/pn3VppANvB
— Sophie Skelton (@SkeltonSophie) April 17, 2020
Steven Cree (Ian Murray), echoed their words, writing that it is truly sad a man like Heughan, “truly one of the nicest and most positive people I know, feels he has to post this.”
Very sad that it’s got to a point where a guy like Sam, truly one of the nicest & most positive people I know, feels he has to post this. Since Outlander became a worldwide phenomenon, he’s always led the line in exemplary fashion; not to mention his incredible charity work too. https://t.co/CC5xIinAEU
— Steven Cree (@MrStevenCree) April 17, 2020
Aussie actor David Berry, AKA Lord John Grey, also added his support to Heughan on Instagram.
“Sam is a wonderful actor, a kind person, and a generous friend. I stand in solidarity with you. Always got your back.”
