Outlander star completely unrecognisable as they transform for new role
Actor Stephen Walters is best known for portraying Angus Mhor in the hit series Outlander, but he's now taken on a very different role for Channel 5.
Watch the trailer for The Night Caller
Outlander star Stephen Walters is barely recognisable in a new TV thriller that premiered on Channel 5 over the weekend.
Starting Sunday night, The Night Caller follows down-on-his-luck cab driver Tony (played by Robert Glenister) who develops an attachment to light-night radio presenter Lawrence (Sean Pertwee).
Tony strikes up the courage to ring Lawrence during one of his broadcasts and becomes a “friend of the show”, but his connection soon becomes an unhealthy obsession.
Stephen portrays Tony’s colleague, Rob, a fellow cabbie.
While fans of the Starz drama know Stephen as Angus Mhor, he looks very different in the new thriller.
In Outlander, Stephen regularly sports long hair and a full beard, complete with a traditional tam o’ shanter hat to complete his look as a Highland warrior.
However, in The Night Caller, the actor has gone for a much more stripped-down approach, opting for a short, smart haircut.
Although he’s kept some facial hair for this part, his beard has been completely shaved off, leaving just a thick moustache behind.
Speaking about his role to Channel 5, Stephen explained: “Rob is an ex-military man, he served in Afghanistan and now works as a taxi driver, which is how he knows Tony.
“We find out that Rob is a drug addict and possibly suffers from mental health issues too.”
Episodes are dropping each night until the four-part drama concludes on Wednesday, July 10.
Viewers will discover more about Rob’s history with Tony while The Night Caller explores themes of loneliness and depression.
Stephen candidly touched on a personal connection to the themes of the series, explaining: “Sadly, a friend of mine took his own life recently and I had no idea he was suffering or had mental health issues.
“He didn’t seem lonely to me, but he was. So it’s important the way this drama explores those areas – the fragility of the human mindset and loneliness.
“Being lonely shouldn’t be taboo and should be spoken about, I think it’s getting better, but we still need to raise awareness of it, it shouldn’t be anything to be embarrassed or ashamed about.”
The Night Caller continues Tuesday, July 9 and concludes Wednesday, July 10 on Channel 5.