After Claire and Jamie, Lord John Grey is one of the characters that generate more enthusiasm among Outlander fans. Due to the excellent acceptance, Diana Gabaldon wrote several books about Grey; this detail keeps viewers waiting for a production about the stories centered around his life.
Audience interest in the character has increased since David Berry began interpreting John Grey in the third season of Outlander. The actor mastered the character and managed to reflect on screen the mannerisms described in the books.
The Broken Heart
Although he's discreet, small gestures can be noticed in John Grey when he's around Jamie. Grey has been in love with the Scotsman since Ardsmuir prison, but his love is not reciprocated. Actor David Berry captures on-screen his character's longing, a desire that audiences can relate to.
The actor handles the gestures and behavior described in the books very well. He reveals the repressed desire and shows his broken heart for not having Jamie, although he always tries to hide it from other people. This broken heart also makes him unkind to Claire at times, because he is jealous of her.
Complexity
Lord John William Grey is a very interesting character because of the complexity he possesses. He must hide his homosexuality because of the danger it implies: in the 18th century he can be hanged if someone finds out. David Berry assumed this complexity and built the character from the secrets, knowing that these could destroy Lord John's professional and family life.
The character assumes his sexuality in a reserved way, only Jamie, Claire and Brianna know his secret. To provide the necessary depth, David Berry navigates through John's desires, the mysteries of his life, and the rectitude imposed by his work.
A Gentleman
John Grey has a lot of virtues that seduce the audience; he is brave, intelligent, and charming. He is especially a man of honor who always tries to keep his word.
David Berry nails it with the gestures and behavior of Lord Grey, who is the typical English gentleman of this period, with excellent manners and elegance. He is always impeccable, even after a long journey on horseback.
Living in Solitude
Some emotions are difficult to capture on camera, but David Berry does a great job with his character, making sure fans see the mannerisms presents in the books. He reflects terrifying loneliness, knowing that he is alone in a world where he is not completely accepted.
These details in gestures, looks, and behavior offered by Berry to his character, allow the audience to observe how the lack of intimacy and support can cause harm in a person.
The Hope of Friendship
Although John Grey knows that Jamie does not correspond to his feelings, their friendship keeps hope alive. In the book Lord John and the Plague of Zombies, John admits that they will never be lovers, but he knows the importance of their friendship for the development of his identity.
Their friendship is one of the greatest in the television show and the books, so, for David Berry, it was important to connect with Sam Heughan from the beginning. The actors are good friends, a peculiarity that is repeated in this series, where many of them seem to get along in real life.
Intimate Scenes
David Berry has not had many intimate scenes on the set of Outlander, but when the time came, the actor committed himself to give credibility to his actions. It was important for him to reflect on the screen everything that the books show about the character and his sexuality.
The actor says that making the intimate scenes can be uncomfortable if an understanding is not reached at the time of filming. Berry talked to the other actor involved to meet him and negotiate terms for the performance. Since the other actor was not a regular member of the cast, the scene implied a greater commitment to understand how both of them would behave, and not exceed or minimize the relationship.
The Letter
Lord John Grey and Jamie Fraser reunite in season four, after seeing each other for the last time in Jamaica. The actor wanted to deepen the character in the same way that friends would do in the 18th century: through a letter.
David Berry wrote and sent a letter to Sam Heughan, where he built a story about his character's life in the last years. In the books, John and Jamie write to each other frequently, so it was a way to connect with the characters before they came to the set, in order to seem close. Berry also said he kept certain feelings to explore during the reunion.
Dignity
After rejecting him in the past, Jamie makes a sexual offer to John Grey, amidst his desperation to get a guardian for his son. Grey knows that he's not doing it because he wants to, but because he's trying to keep his son safe, so he rejects the offer.
For David Berry, this scene was particularly complicated to shoot. It was a delicate moment and the actors managed to make the audience understand the sincerity of Grey's love, the depth of their friendship, and the honor and respect of both. Berry masters the mannerisms present in the book so as not to appear cruel, but instead, show compassion.
The Tense Relationship with Claire
Claire and John Grey have been able to settle a few issues, but the relationship between the two is complicated. John appears several times unexpectedly and bothers Claire with his words and attentions to Jamie. Lord John also feels tense about Claire's attitude, as well as resents her having Jamie's love.
Although John is an expert at hiding his feelings and thoughts, he does not do so often with Claire and Jamie, because they both know their reality. The actor performed a scene with Caitriona Balfe, where they both open up and admit their discomfort. This moment was important for the audience who were waiting for the confrontation; there, both nailed the mannerisms present in the book.
Every Movement Calculated
John Grey's role shows the reality that many homosexual people live. A part of Grey's life is secret because he is not accepted by society, which makes him have to measure his words, gestures, and attitudes.
David Berry dominates his scenes, making the audience see how Lord John controls himself. Berry reflected the character's mannerisms very well so that the viewer would understand the fear of exposure, the possibility of extortion, and the difficulty of living genuinely.