‘Outlander’ Season 2 Spoilers: Roger Actor Announced; Fans React To Richard Rankin’s Casting

The role of Roger in “Outlander” Season 2 has finally been filled. Richard Rankin will play the highly anticipated character, Starz revealed.

Roger is a major character in the “Outlander” books, and presumably, he’ll become just as important in the TV show. He is Reverend Wakefield’s (James Fleet) adopted son. In the first season, viewers met Roger as a boy (Rory Burns) in the 1940s. However, they’ll soon meet him as a man.

In the book "Dragonfly in Amber," Roger is reintroduced as an adult in 1968. He becomes very close with Claire’s (Caitriona Balfe) daughter, Brianna (who fans are also anxiously awaiting to be cast). Roger also has ties to Claire’s acquaintances from the 1700s. His ancestors are Geillis Duncan (Lotte Verbeek) and Dougal MacKenzie (Graham McTavish). Being Geillis’ descendant, he’ll also have the ability to travel through time.

When viewers meet him in Season 2, he’ll be an Oxford University professor. “Roger has a keen interest in history, and all the secrets and insight it presents,” the press release says.

After waiting so many months to hear of Rankin’s casting, fans were excited to finally hear the news. More importantly, they seem overjoyed by the casting choice.

Cast members Balfe, who was recently nominated for a Golden Globe, and Sam Heughan (Jamie) were also happy to welcome him to the “Outlander” family. Heughan seemed anxious for Roger’s significant other to be announced as well.

However, viewers know that the most important opinion is that of “Outlander” author Diana Gabaldon. The author welcomed Rankin, who appeared alonside Bradley Cooper in "Burnt" this fall, and warned him about her adoring fans.

“Outlander” Season 2 follows Jamie and Claire, who is pregnant, as they try to change the future. They'll try to stop the Battle of Culloden, but changing the future will be difficult. The second season premieres in 2016 on Starz.