David Berry, the the Netflix actor known for his role in Outlander, is set to return for the remainder of the penultimate series, sparking increased interest in his off-screen life.
In the second part of Outlander’s seventh season, Claire Fraser (portrayed by Caitriona Balfe) was left heartbroken upon discovering the death of her husband Jamie Fraser (played by Sam Heughan).
Jamie’s friend Lord John Grey (David Berry), who harbored a not-so-secret love for the Highlander, was equally shattered by the news.
When Claire faced the threat of arrest on suspicion of espionage, John stepped up to honor Jamie’s memory and married her to ensure her safety, reports the Daily Record.
With Lord John playing such a crucial role in season seven, fans are eager to learn more about David Berry, the actor behind the character.
Unexpected talents.
Born in Toronto, Canada in January 1984, Berry relocated to Australia with his family and three siblings when he was just seven years old.
Berry’s talents as a singer and violinist were soon recognized, earning him a scholarship to a prestigious school for his vocal prowess.
While studying at this esteemed institution, he performed professionally, including appearances at festivals and Opera Australia.
In 2002, Berry received another scholarship to study political science at Montreal’s McGill University, marking the start of a potentially different career path.
However, his political ambitions were short-lived, as he later enrolled at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2010.
After earning a Master’s in Media Practice from the University of Sydney, Berry landed his first television gig as a researcher for Channel Seven.
Acting Career.
Berry’s debut on the small screen came in 2012 when he portrayed Alistair in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. This was followed by a stint as Logan Meyer in Home and Away later that same year.
However, it was his five-year role as James Bligh in the drama A Place To Call Home that truly put him on the map.
In 2016, Berry’s career took an international turn when he was cast as Lord John Grey in Outlander.
Sam Heughan Incident.
In an interview with Marie Claire, Berry recounted a memorable stunt from his first day on set. Just a week after auditioning for the role, he found himself on a plane to Scotland to start filming.
He described the experience as “It really was a baptism by fire.”
“I was beyond jet-lagged and not really knowing what I was saying or who the character was yet, and I was expected to film my first scene in torrential Highlands rain.” he said.
“The producers must’ve had a lot of insurance because I could’ve killed Sam Heughan that day.”
He went on to describe how he managed to deliver his lines while a handcuffed Sam was tied to the back of a horse.
Depression.
Despite his success as part of the Outlander ensemble, Berry has grappled with depression for many years. He now openly discusses his experiences.
Five years back, he took to Instagram with a heartfelt message about his battle with mental health, aiming to spread awareness and inspire others to reach out for support.
He shared: “I’ve struggled with depression since my early 20s. Many years later, and the feeling has never entirely left me. It’s encoded somewhere deep in my DNA. “My thoughts get dark from time to time. The peaks and troughs of life are a little more intense for me than they are for other people.
Life feels like it’s too much. I feel alone and hopeless.
“But here’s the thing I’ve come to know: the hardest thing about depression is asking for help – admitting to yourself and others that you really don’t have it all under control.Once you overcome that, the rest is easy: Exercise, therapy, medication and mindfulness.”
Personal Life.
Berry is quite private when it comes to his family life, hence not much is known about his long-standing marriage to Kristina Tesic. What is known is that they’ve been together for over a decade.
The couple celebrated the arrival of their son Alexander in 2016, coincidentally on the day Berry returned home from shooting the third season of Outlander.
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