Does Richard Rankin use his own singing voice in Outlander?

During Outlander Season 4, we were introduced to Roger’s ability to sing. That’s continued throughout the series, but is it Richard Rankin’s own voice?

In the books, Roger has a beautiful singing voice. We’ve seen that in the show, too. It really started in Outlander Season 4, but became more prominent in Season 5 before Roger was hanged. There was a moment in Season 6 where he sang again, showing that his voice (and mind) has healed from the trauma.

The question for many is whether this is actually Richard Rankin’s own singing voice. Some TV shows will have someone stand in, allowing the actor to lip sync. Is that what happened in Outlander?

Richard Rankin really sings in Outlander

For those worried about the show not doing things just right, there’s some great news. That really is Richard Rankin’s own singing voice in the series. The casting department made sure to find an actor who could sing as well as act.

It was important for the series to find an actor who could sing as well as act. After all, Roger is well-known for his voice in the books. We needed to see someone who would be able to perform well as a way to boost moral and offer entertainment while in the past. Roger was trying to find his place while he and Bree made a life there, and his voice was the way in.

There is the darker storyline that links to his voice throughout the books. After he’s hanged at the Battle of Alamance, he loses the ability to sing well. There is a period where he mourns the loss of his voice because it is part of his identity, and we did see a little of that during the fifth season of the series. As Roger tries to sing again, he ends up with all the memories of being hanged.

In the series, Roger has got his voice back. He sings when he’s around Amy McCallum, and it certainly put a smile on many fans’ faces.

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