If Roger MacKenzie from "Outlander" feels oddly familiar, you are not imagining things. The face, the voice, even the way he carries a scene trigger recognition. That is because actor Richard Rankin had already built a solid career long before he ever stepped through the stones.
However, Rankin did not come out of nowhere. The 43-year-old Scottish actor worked steadily across Scottish and UK television, moving between comedy, drama, and crime shows. When he joined "Outlander", many viewers had already seen him. They just could not place him.
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Richard Rankin First Made His Name Making Scotland Laugh
Rankin / IG / Before epic romance and time travel, Rankin was best known for comedy. He broke through on the cult Scottish sketch show "Burnistoun".
The series aired on BBC Scotland and later BBC Two, and it became a local phenomenon.
On "Burnistoun", Rankin showed sharp timing and fearless physical comedy. He played multiple characters, often exaggerated, sometimes ridiculous, always memorable. If you watched Scottish TV in the early 2010s, his face was everywhere. That early exposure burned him into viewers’ memories, even if they forgot the show’s name.
Comedy also gave Rankin range. It taught him rhythm, restraint, and how to hold attention without overplaying a moment. Those skills later helped him ground Roger MacKenzie, a character who could easily feel stiff or academic in the wrong hands.
Serious BBC Dramas Made Him Stand Out
After comedy, Rankin pivoted into drama without losing momentum. One of his early serious roles came in the BBC World War I series "The Crimson Field". He played Captain Thomas Gillan, a controlled, emotionally layered officer under pressure.
The role put him on the radar of casting directors. It showed he could handle intensity and emotional weight. From there, guest roles followed in long-running BBC hits like "Silent Witness". These appearances were brief but effective, and they added to his familiar presence.
Then came "Thirteen", a gritty crime drama that earned critical praise. Rankin played Detective Inspector Elliott Carne, a calm but driven investigator. This role, in particular, sticks with viewers who enjoy UK crime shows. It is one of the biggest reasons his face feels recognizable today.
He Was Already Everywhere Before "Outlander"
Rankin / IG / By the mid-2010s, Rankin was quietly everywhere. He appeared in Kay Mellor’s drama "The Syndicate" as Sean McGary, a role that gave him emotional depth and screen time.
The show drew strong ratings, especially in the UK.
He also crossed into film with a supporting role in "Burnt", starring Bradley Cooper. While not a huge part, it placed Rankin in a major international production. For sharp-eyed viewers, it was another mental note filed away.
So when Rankin showed up as Roger Wakefield MacKenzie in "Outlander", it did not feel like a gamble. He already had credibility. Audiences just needed time to connect the dots.
"Outlander" Turned Familiar Into Unforgettable
Rankin first appeared as Roger in the Season 2 finale of "Outlander" in 2016. At first, the character felt restrained, bookish, and modern. That was the point. Roger was not meant to sweep in like Jamie Fraser.
Over time, Rankin deepened the role. Roger became tougher, more emotional, and more complex. He endured trauma, love, loss, and time travel chaos. Rankin played it all without slipping into melodrama. That slow-burning performance won over skeptical fans.
After "Outlander" raised his international profile, Rankin leaned hard into crime drama. He starred in the BBC thriller "The Replacement", playing a man caught in a tense psychological battle. The role was unsettling and sharp.
He also appeared in "The Last Kingdom" as Father Hrothweard, a small but memorable part. Even with limited screen time, Rankin left an impression. That ability to register quickly is part of why audiences remember him.
