Stephen Bonnet first shows up in Season 4 of Outlander when Hayes is about to be hanged. Wanted for his own crimes, Bonnet (Ed Speleers) was being chased by Redcoats when he decided to stow away in a wagon with Hayes body, where he hid until late that night when Jamie and Ian were trying to bury their friend.
Once discovered, Jamie (Sam Heugan) opted not to turn Bonnet in. Instead, he agreed to continue to hide him as they made their way through the wilderness that night.
Even though Jamie saved Bonnet’s life, he’s going to turn around and repay that favor by betraying him, quickly taking the place of Jamie’s biggest antagonist now that Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies) is gone.
Who is Stephen Bonnet?
Bonnet tells Jamie when they first meet that he is wanted for acts of piracy and quickly proves himself to be a cunning pirate as well as a thief. The Irishman is wanted for multiple crimes and nearly got himself hanged but managed to escape by hitching a ride in Jamie’s wagon.
In the wagon after Jamie agrees to help him out, Bonnet reveals to Claire (Catriona Balfe) that he has a fondness for rings and even relieved the watchman of one prior to escaping with the Frasers.
That small act of kindness will turn around and bite Jamie and Claire, who have plenty of reason to hate Bonnet by the end of the first episode.
Who plays Stephen Bonnet in Outlander?
Stephen Bonnet just appeared in Season 4 but he’s taking on a huge role based on what we know from the books. The character is played by Ed Speleers, a British actor best known for his work in Downtown Abbey.
Speleers also played the lead role in Eragon in 2006 as well as playing himself in Moving Wallpaper just two years later. He’s had many film and TV roles over the years including Echo Beach, Wolf Hall, Partners In Crime, and Beowulf: Return to the Shiedlands.
What can Outlander viewers expect?
Those who read ahead already know that Stephen Bonnet is going to cause a lot of trouble for Claire and Jamie. Even Speleers has talked about the huge role during a recent interview with Glamour:
“There’s a lot of levels to him, a lot of layers. I think he has a very particular view on the world. Whether that’s due to circumstance, whether that’s due to nature, nurture, all of this — what actually he’s really about, who he really is, will all be unraveled all in good time.”
Claire and Jamie’s first experience with Stephen Bonnet occurs early into their trip to America, before they even decide to stay. He’s going to cross paths with them again in America when as the pair settles in North Carolina.
A cunning man, Stephen Bonnet is said to be just as big of a threat to Jamie as Jack Randall, the man who terrorized Jamie until his death.
Outlander airs on Sundays at 9/8c on Starz.