Outlander's John Bell was ready to 'give up' on acting 2 weeks before Young Ian audition

Sam Heughan reveals the souvenir he'll take from Outlander set

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Outlander. 

Outlander’s Young Ian is a fan-favourite and it’s hard to imagine anyone but John Bell portraying Jamie Fraser’s nephew. 

The Starz and MGM+ time travel drama has seen plenty of challenges in Young Ian’s (played by John Bell) life from the death of his dad, to joining the Mohawk tribe. 

He then didn’t know what to do with himself when Young Ian was told to leave the tribe and had to resume life with the Frasers but luckily, he has gradually been able to adjust. 

Actor John Bell has been starring in Outlander since the third outing but has worked on other popular projects like Tracy Beaker Returns, The Hobbit franchise and T2 Trainspotting. 

However, just before the 26-year-old landed himself a role in Outlander, Bell was ready to leave the entertainment industry behind for good.

Outlander's John Bell was ready to 'give up' on acting 2 weeks before Young Ian audition. (Image: STARZ)

Outlander's Young Ian is portrayed by actor John Bell. (Image: GETTY)

Opening up to Flip Your Wig, Bell explained: “I’ve been in acting since I was eight so I’ve done a lot of big things that have had huge impacts. 

“But there was a moment in my career when I was about 16,17, when you’re trying to make that transition from a child to an adult actor, that I wasn’t getting any work. 

“I thought I was going to have to give everything up. 

“I was ready to go to university and do something else so Outlander came about two, three weeks before I was supposed to start university and I got the audition and I got it.”

Outlander: Jamie Fraser's nephew Young Ian has been in the drama since season three. (Image: STARZ) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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“So it really did send me on a completely different path, gave me that kind of support and belief in myself that I wanted, that I was looking for”, he continued. 

“[It] has provided a character that has allowed me to grow and flourish with it, so on a huge scale, it has changed my life and I’m so grateful.” 

According to his IMDb profile, Bell also has another project in the works called The Man In The Box, a drama currently in production, and stars After actor Hero Fiennes Tiffin. 

Outlander is available to watch on Starz and MGM+ via Prime Video Channels.

Outlander's John Bell was ready to 'give up' on acting 2 weeks before Young Ian audition

Outlander's John Bell was ready to 'give up' on acting 2 weeks before Young Ian audition

Outlander's John Bell was ready to 'give up' on acting 2 weeks before Young Ian audition

Outlander's John Bell was ready to 'give up' on acting 2 weeks before Young Ian audition

Outlander's John Bell was ready to 'give up' on acting 2 weeks before Young Ian audition