David Berry, the actor known for his role in Outlander, is set to return for the remainder of the penultimate series, sparking curiosity among fans about his life off-screen.
In the second part of Outlander’s seventh season, Claire Fraser (portrayed by Caitriona Balfe) was left shattered upon discovering the death of her husband Jamie Fraser (played by Sam Heughan).
Jamie’s close friend Lord John Grey (David Berry), who harboured a not-so-secret love for the Highlander, was equally devastated by the loss.
When Claire faced the threat of arrest on suspicion of espionage, John stepped up to honour Jamie’s memory and married her to ensure her safety.
With Lord John playing such a crucial role in season seven, viewers 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 at the age of seven.
Berry’s talents as a singer and violinist were soon recognised, earning him a scholarship to a prestigious school for his vocal prowess.
While studying there, he performed professionally at various festivals and even at Opera Australia.
In 2002, Berry received another scholarship to study political science at Montreal’s McGill University, hinting at a potential career in politics. However, his path took a different turn when he enrolled at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2010.
After bagging a Master’s in Media Practice from the University of Sydney, Berry snagged his first telly gig as a researcher for Channel Seven.
Acting career
The 40-year-old actor’s debut on the small screen was in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries in 2012, portraying Alistair.
He then popped up in several episodes as Logan Meyer on Home and Away in 2012 before scoring his major role as James Bligh in the drama A Place To Call Home, which he held for five years.
Berry hit the jackpot in 2016 when he nabbed the part of Lord John Grey in Outlander, catapulting him to global stardom.
Sam Heughan incident
In a chat with Marie Claire, Berry dished on a stunt during his first day on set, marking it as one of his standout moments.
Having flown to Scotland to start filming just a week after his audition, the actor recalled: “It really was a baptism by fire.”
He recounted, “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.
“The producers must’ve had a lot of insurance because I could’ve killed Sam Heughan that day.
He continued, “Sam was in handcuffs while tied to the back of the horse by a rope, with me out of my mind, somehow managing to deliver all of my lines.”
Despite being a lauded member of the Outlander ensemble, Berry has grappled with depression for many years and now speaks candidly about his struggles.
Five years ago, he took to Instagram to share a heartfelt post about his struggles with mental health, aiming to raise awareness and inspire others to seek help.
He penned: “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.”
Berry tends to keep his personal life away from the public eye, hence not much is known about his relationship with his wife, Kristina Tesic, except that they have been happily married for 12 years.
The couple welcomed their son Alexander in 2016, coincidentally on the same day Berry returned to Australia after wrapping up filming for Outlander season three.