Long before he became the gruff, fiercely loyal backbone of the Fraser clan as Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, actor Duncan Lacroix was already honing his craft in the mud and blood of historical warfare. For die-hard Outlander fans looking to explore the “pre-fame” era of their favorite highlander, the docudrama “Cromwell in Ireland” offers a fascinating glimpse at a star in the making.

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The Project: A Dark Chapter of History

Cromwell in Ireland is a haunting historical docudrama that explores one of the most polarizing figures in British and Irish history: Oliver Cromwell. The film chronicles his 1649 invasion of Ireland, focusing on the brutal sieges of Drogheda and Wexford.

Unlike the romanticized hills of Outlander, this project is a stark, academic, and visceral look at the trauma of the 17th century. It blends expert historical testimony with cinematic re-enactments to portray a period defined by religious conflict and total war.

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Duncan Lacroix: The Evolution of a Warrior

Before the “Murtagh-look” became a global sensation, Lacroix was a working actor in Ireland, often cast in roles that demanded a rugged, physical presence. In Cromwell in Ireland, he appears in the re-enactment sequences, portraying the life of a soldier caught in the machinery of Cromwell’s New Model Army.

What to look for in his performance:

• The Raw Intensity: Even in a documentary format without the sprawling scripts of Starz, Lacroix’s screen presence is undeniable. He carries the same stoic, watchful energy that would later define Murtagh’s “silent protector” persona.

• A “Highlander” in Training: You can see the early seeds of his combat training. The way he handles a pike and navigates the chaotic battle scenes serves as a direct precursor to the sword-fighting mastery he would later display at Culloden.

• The Look: Fans will find it jarring (and thrilling) to see a younger, cleaner-shaven Lacroix. However, the piercing gaze—the one that could intimidate a Redcoat or comfort a young Jamie Fraser—is already fully developed.

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The “Lacroix Effect”: From Docudrama to Global Icon

Era	Project	Character Archetype
Pre-Outlander	Cromwell in Ireland	The Hardened Soldier — Focused on historical accuracy and gritty realism.
The Breakthrough	Outlander	Murtagh Fraser — The soul of the show; a mix of dry wit and unwavering loyalty.
Post-Success	Vikings / Outlaw King	The Established Veteran — Now a go-to actor for epic historical drama.

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Why It’s Worth the Watch

For fans, watching Cromwell in Ireland is like seeing the “Origin Story” of Duncan Lacroix’s career. It highlights his commitment to the historical genre and his ability to disappear into a period setting. He didn’t just stumble into the role of Murtagh; he spent years in the trenches of historical productions, learning how to breathe life into the ghosts of the past.

If you want to see where the loyalty of Murtagh Fraser was forged, look no further than the battlefields of 17th-century Ireland.