Outlander fans have been left puzzled by Bonnie Prince Charlie’s iconic phrase ‘mark me’ – but the show’s executive producer has explained the meaning behind the line
Fans of Outlander have been eagerly sifting through past episodes to satisfy their craving during Droughtlander, on the lookout for those elusive nuggets in the beloved Starz series, with some fans using the time to “work out” the real identity of Fanny.
Season two introduced viewers to Andrew Gower depicting Bonnie Prince Charlie with a peculiar phrase – “mark me,” that got fans scratching their heads.
Chatting about this unique catchphrase on the Outlander podcast, Ronald D. Moore, executive producer of the show, revealed: “This became one of the catchphrases for Charlie that he always says ‘mark me’, and then Andrew picked up on it and started adding it in.”
Moore added more context, saying: “So, mark me is a phrase of the time, it became one of Charlie’s catchphrases.”
Bonnie Prince Charlie’s iconic phrase “mark me” was first delivered in an unforgettable entrance scene set in a brothel and has firmly woven itself into Outlander’s story fabric, reports the Express.
The phrase was originally meant to be commanding and stemmed from military jargon, swiftly embedding itself with the cast.
Actor Andrew Gower reflected on the catchphrase, saying: “It was a nice military, attention-seeking phrase but I didn’t expect the reaction that it had with fans and within the show.”
He expressed his surprise at how soon “mark me” reemerged, saying: “It’s a rather funny one and it’s very funny how one episode into the new season, you’ve already heard ‘mark me’ again.”
In a talk with Entertainment Weekly back in 2017, he noted: “I think the writers were very keen to get it back in.”
In the second season of the series, Bonnie Prince Charlie famously used the term “mark me” a total of 15 times.
The memorable phrase “mark me” made a comeback in Outlander’s sixth season when Bonnie Prince Charlie made his dramatic escape to the Isle of Skye with the help of Flora MacDonald, played by Shauna Macdonald.
Dressed as a woman, the prince managed to dodge capture across the Scottish Highlands after the crushing loss at the Battle of Culloden.
In a key moment, he thanked Flora, saying: “Mark me, dear Flora, your kindness will not go unremembered.”
While the phrase “mark me” is common in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander novels, historical records suggest that the real Bonnie Prince Charlie never actually said it.
Andrew Gower, who portrayed the prince, reflected on his character’s harrowing escape and his conversations with Jamie Fraser actor Sam Heughan about the ordeal.
Discussing his return to the role, Gower commented: “Working on Outlander, the cast, the crew and the fans, they hold such a special place in everybody’s heart, and especially mine.”
He wrapped up by expressing his gratitude for his experience on the series: “And you know. I’m lucky to be able to bookend my journey of Bonnie Prince Charlie.”