Before he was the dashing and brave Jamie Fraser in the hit Starz romance Outlander, Sam Heughan was a young, aspiring actor with ambitions of a career on the screen.

In the early days of his career, Heughan could be seen making appearances on television, his most notable roles including playing the part of Andrew Murray in a few episodes of the Scottish soap opera River City in 2005 and bringing to life Scott Neilson in the soap opera Doctors throughout 2009.

However, not long before he made his Outlander debut as Jamie in 2013, Heughan tested his skills as a romantic lead when he starred in none other than a Hallmark movie. In 2011, the Scottish actor brought to life the part of Prince Ashton in Hallmark’s A Princess for Christmas, and while it might not be the role he’s most known for, it might be the one that first introduced you to this charmer! Here, a look back at Sam Heughan’s Hallmark movie debut that led up to his Outlander success.

Sam Heughan, 2014
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Inside Sam Heughan’s Hallmark movie ‘A Princess for Christmas’

A Princess for Christmas follows a woman named Jules, who becomes the legal guardian to her niece and nephew when their parents tragically pass away in an accident. As if the stress of parenting two children wasn’t enough, she’s visited one day by an English butler who informs her that the children’s grandfather, the Duke of Castlebury Hall, is not well and wants to connect with the youngsters in the wake of their parents’ passing. Embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, Jules meets the dashing Prince Ashton, and before she knows it, it turns into a holiday none of them will forget. In addition to Heughan, the film also starred Katie McGrath as Jules and the late Sir Roger Moore as the Duke.
Sir Roger Moore, Miles Richardson, Katie McGrath, Leilah De Meza, Travis Turner, A Princess for Christmas, 2011
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The Hallmark film’s surprising ‘Outlander’ connection

While this, of course, isn’t the role Sam Heughan is known for, it’s a film he remains proud of. “I think I am a better actor now, but I love that movie,” Sam told Parade in 2023. “I got to work with Roger Moore. He is one of the most famous Bonds and it was incredible. All of those jobs are the precursor to what I am doing now. I met great people. Interesting, my butler in that (Miles Richardson), he was in [season 5] of Outlander. He played one of the redcoat officers and Tim Downie, who played Governor Tryon, also played my butler in a Tennent’s advert, so we have a great photo where I am with my two former butlers who are now redcoats.”

Sam Heughan on Outlander’ Season 8

While we love looking back on Sam Heughan’s career and his young face in these films and early roles, most are looking ahead at the future as we get ready to see his final bow in Outlander Season 8. “Every story comes to an end,” the actor wrote on Instagram after it was revealed that the final season would premiere on March 6, 2026. “This journey was a huge part of my life. I’m thankful to all the cast and crew, everyone that was involved in creating the love story that spanned decades.”