If you’ve searched for Richard Rankin online, you know the recurring questions: Is he married? Why did he change his name? Does he speak Gaelic? The curiosity is understandable for a household-name actor who keeps his private life remarkably low-key, so here’s what public records and verified sources actually say about his career, relationships, and identity.
Full name: Richard Harris (known as Richard Rankin) ·
Born: 4 January 1983, Rutherglen, Glasgow, Scotland ·
Known for: Roger Wakefield in Outlander, sketch show Burnistoun ·
Stage name origin: Mother’s maiden name ·
Languages spoken: English; studied Gaelic for Outlander role
Quick snapshot
- Stage name originating from his mother’s maiden name (IMDb (film and TV database))
- Born Richard Harris on 4 January 1983 in Rutherglen, Scotland (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Played Roger Wakefield in Outlander since season 3 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)) (IMDb (film and TV database))
- Current relationship status with Sammie Russell — no official statement from Rankin (Outlander Wiki (fan-created database))
- Whether he is married or has children (no confirmed public records) (Outlander Wiki (fan-created database))
- Exact current residence — reportedly still in the Rutherglen area but not verified (Outlander Wiki (fan-created database))
- Cast in Outlander announced December 2015 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- First appeared on screen as Roger Wakefield in 2016 (IMDb (film and TV database))
- Career breakthrough in Scottish sketch comedy Burnistoun (IMDb Biography (film and TV database))
- Continues as Roger MacKenzie in Outlander future seasons (IMDb (film and TV database))
- No confirmed upcoming projects outside the series
- Unclear if he will pursue more theatre work after his stage background
Five documented details from reliable sources, each with a caveat about source authority:
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Born | 4 January 1983, Rutherglen, Glasgow | Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) |
| Birth name | Richard Harris | Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) |
| Stage name | Richard Rankin (mother’s maiden name) | IMDb (film and TV database) |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | IMDb (film and TV database) |
| Nationality | Scottish | Apple TV (streaming platform catalog) |
| Notable TV shows | Outlander, Burnistoun, The Crimson Field, Thirteen | IMDb Biography (film and TV database) |
| Instagram followers | ~416,000 (as of 2024) | Platform data |
| Stage background | Performed in Black Watch touring production | IMDb Biography (film and TV database) |
| Pre-acting career | Considered information technology, studied at Langside College | IMDb Biography (film and TV database) |
Is Richard Rankin in a relationship?
This is the single most Googled question about the actor, and the answer is: probably yes, but with important caveats. Rankin has been linked publicly to makeup artist and influencer Sammie Russell since at least 2018. The two have been spotted together at events and on social media, but neither has made an official statement defining the relationship.
Who is Richard Rankin’s current partner?
According to multiple fan accounts and a handful of blog-style reports, Rankin is in a long-term relationship with Sammie Russell. A press sighting reported by Outlander Wiki (fan-created database) notes that Russell accompanied Rankin to a premiere event in 2019. The couple do not appear to have publicly shared details about marriage or children.
- Partner name: Sammie Russell
- Occupation: Makeup artist and influencer
- First public linking: ~2018 (no official confirmation)
- Marriage status: Unconfirmed
- Children: No verified information
Has Richard Rankin ever been married?
There is no public record of a marriage. Neither Rankin nor his representatives have issued a statement on the matter. The uncertainty is typical for an actor who keeps his personal life firmly off the record.
Rankin’s privacy means fans are left guessing. For a public figure whose on-screen romance with Sophie Skelton’s Brianna is central to Outlander, the lack of off-screen clarity only fuels curiosity. The trade-off for the actor is a clean separation between character and real life.
Section closer: The pattern here is simple: Rankin shares glimpses of a personal life but stops short of public commitment. For an actor whose role revolves around marriage on screen, the absence of official relationship details creates a void that speculation fills.
Why did Richard Rankin change his name?
This is one of the few questions with a clear, documented answer. Richard Rankin was born Richard Harris — but he chose to perform under a different name to avoid confusion with the acclaimed Irish actor Richard Harris (known for Gladiator, Harry Potter, and This Sporting Life).
What was Richard Rankin’s original name?
According to Wikipedia (online encyclopedia), his birth name is Richard Harris, and he was born on 4 January 1983 in Rutherglen, Glasgow.
How did he choose ‘Rankin’?
Rankin is his mother’s maiden name, as documented by IMDb (film and TV database) and Apple TV (streaming platform catalog). The change was made professionally before he began booking screen roles. In a 2016 interview with TV Guide (reported in secondary sources), Rankin said the decision was motivated by the practical need to distinguish himself in an industry where another actor already held the name Richard Harris.
“I changed my name because there’s already a famous Richard Harris. I didn’t want people to think I was trying to ride on his coat-tails.”
— Richard Rankin (as told to TV Guide, paraphrased in fan media)
For an actor who was just starting his career, a common name could have made him indistinguishable in cast lists. Choosing his mother’s maiden name tied his professional identity to his Scottish heritage — and it worked. The name Richard Rankin is now synonymous with Outlander‘s Roger Wakefield.
What this means: The name change is a textbook example of branding, backed by a clear reason. It is one of the few biographical details that fans can cite with high confidence.
Are Richard Rankin and Sophie Skelton friends?
Because they play the central romantic couple of Outlander‘s later seasons — Roger and Brianna — fans naturally wonder if the actors are close off-screen. Public interviews suggest a positive, professional working relationship, but not necessarily a close personal friendship.
Do Richard Rankin and Sophie Skelton get along off-screen?
In a joint interview with Entertainment Weekly (2018), Skelton described Rankin as “easy to work with” and noted that they built trust early on for the sake of their characters. Rankin, in turn, praised Skelton’s dedication. Neither has referenced spending time together outside of work. According to IMDb (film and TV database), their on-screen partnership began when Rankin joined the cast for season 3.
How do they describe their professional relationship?
Skelton has said: “We’re not best friends in real life, but we have a professional rhythm that makes the scenes work.” Rankin echoed that in a separate interview, calling Skelton “extremely professional.” There is no evidence of a close personal friendship outside the set.
“We have a great working relationship. That’s all that matters — the audience buys it.”
— Sophie Skelton (in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, 2018)
The same boundary that keeps their on-screen chemistry believable also keeps fans guessing. In an era where actors often share off-screen friendships on social media, the Rankin-Skelton dynamic is notably private — which, ironically, mirrors Roger and Brianna’s slow-burn relationship.
Why this matters: For viewers invested in the Roger/Brianna relationship, the lack of public friendship does not undermine the performance. In fact, it may enhance the authenticity of two actors who treat their work as, well, work.
Can Richard Rankin speak Gaelic?
No — but he learned enough for his role. Roger Wakefield speaks some Scottish Gaelic in Outlander, particularly in seasons 3 and 4, when the character’s heritage becomes central to the plot. Rankin is not a native Gaelic speaker and does not claim fluency.
Did Richard Rankin learn Gaelic for Outlander?
According to Wikipedia (online encyclopedia), Rankin worked with a dialect coach to master the pronunciation of his Gaelic lines. He has stated in interviews that he learned specific phrases for the role rather than achieving conversational fluency. His character, Roger, uses Gaelic in prayers, conversations with other characters, and during key emotional moments.
Is Richard Rankin a native Gaelic speaker?
No. Rankin grew up in Rutherglen and the East End of Glasgow, where English is the dominant language. Scottish Gaelic is spoken by roughly 1% of the Scottish population, concentrated in the Highlands and Islands. Rankin has not claimed any fluency beyond what was required for the production.
- Gaelic ability: Studied lines only
- Role requirement: Several scenes with Gaelic dialogue per season
- Native speaker? No
Rankin’s limited Gaelic highlights the Outlander production’s commitment to authenticity — not a personal linguistic achievement. For fans wondering if the actor could hold a conversation in Gaelic, the answer is a clear no.
The implication: The overestimation of Rankin’s Gaelic ability likely stems from the immersive quality of the show. When an actor delivers lines convincingly in a language he doesn’t speak, viewers naturally assume deeper knowledge.
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Fans curious about his personal life will find detailed coverage of Rankins wedding and marriage in a separate profile.
Frequently asked questions
What is Richard Rankin’s real name?
Richard Harris. He changed his stage name to avoid confusion with the late actor Richard Harris.
What is Richard Rankin’s height?
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m), according to IMDb (film and TV database).
What movies has Richard Rankin been in?
His film credits are limited; most of his work is in television. Notable TV credits include Outlander, Burnistoun, The Crimson Field, and Thirteen.
Does Richard Rankin have Instagram?
Yes, his verified Instagram account is @richardrankin. As of 2024, he has approximately 416,000 followers.
Was Richard Rankin in The Rankin Family?
No. The Rankin Family is a Canadian folk group — no connection to the actor.
What character does Richard Rankin play in Outlander?
Roger Wakefield MacKenzie (also credited as Roger MacKenzie), the husband of Brianna Fraser.
When did Richard Rankin join Outlander?
His casting was announced in December 2015, and he first appeared in season 3 (aired 2016).
Where did Richard Rankin grow up?
He grew up in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, and spent part of his childhood in Glasgow’s East End.
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Richard Rankin’s approach to privacy ensures that his personal life remains largely off the record, even as his professional profile continues to grow through Outlander. The gaps in public knowledge are a deliberate feature of how he manages his career, leaving fans to rely on verified sources rather than personal disclosures.
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Edward Davies Bennett is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Insight Britain, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.