Highlander
Format	Action-Drama-Sci-Fi
Created by	Davis-Panzer Productions
Starring	Adrian Paul Alexandra Vandernoot Stan Kirsch Amanda Wyss Jim Byrnes Philip Akin Michel Modo Lisa Howard Elizabeth Gracen Peter Wingfield
Theme music composer	Queen
Opening theme	"Princes of the Universe"
No. of seasons	6
No. of episodes	119 (Episodes list)
Production
Running time	48 minutes per episode
Broadcast
Original channel	Syndicated / TF1, later Métropole 6
Original run	October 3, 1992 – May 16, 1998
Chronology
Followed by	Highlander: The Raven

Highlander: The Series is an English language fantasy/sci-fi television series featuring Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul), of the Scottish Clan MacLeod, as the Highlander of the title. An offshoot of the Highlander movies, Highlander: The Series centered on the life of Duncan, who is a clansman to the main character from the movies, Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert). Christopher Lambert made a single appearance in the first episode to aid continuity, and his character is mentioned in several episodes throughout the six seasons. The series was a Canada/France co-production that was filmed in both countries. The primary Canadian location was Vancouver, British Columbia.

Contents 1 History 2 Characters 2.1 Immortals 2.2 The Gathering 2.3 Watchers and Hunters 2.4 Location 3 Narration 4 Episodes 5 Home video releases 6 Production history 6.1 Casting the title character 7 Reception 7.1 "To Be or Not to Be" 8 Spin-Offs 8.1 Films 8.2 Highlander: The Raven 8.3 The Methos Chronicles 8.4 Reunion 8.5 Audio Plays 9 Books and Comics 9.1 Books 9.2 Comics 9.3 Behind the Scenes 9.4 Controversy and Cancellation 10 See also 11 References 12 External links

[edit] History

The pilot episode established Duncan as a simple man living quietly with his girlfriend Tessa Noël (played by Alexandra Vandernoot). They were co-proprietors of the antique shop MacLeod & Noël Antiques. The pilot introduced Richie Ryan (Stan Kirsch) as a thief who entered Duncan's shop and witnessed the confrontation between Duncan, evil Immortal Slan Quince (Richard Moll) and Duncan's fellow clansman Connor MacLeod, the hero from the movies.

It was established that Duncan had lived nearly 400 years, and that there were many such Immortals in the world. Connor had come to Duncan to ask him to return to The Game and help good win over evil, where "The Game" is the term used by the Immortals to describe their hunting of one another, seeking "Quickenings" by beheading their opponents. Duncan had hidden from other Immortals for some time, removing himself from The Game. Hunted by Quince, Duncan had no choice but face him and by the end of the first episode, Slan had been defeated and Duncan was clearly caught up in The Game again.

Most of the storylines revolved around Duncan MacLeod and his relationship with mortals and other Immortals. These relationships were a common theme in the series, especially Duncan MacLeod's relationship towards his friends, family, lovers and foes (see Duncan MacLeod's relationships). As the series progressed, there were some changes in concept and normal growth in the characters and their relationships. Several recurring Immortal characters such as Amanda and Methos became frequent guests on the show and the Watchers like Joe Dawson were introduced in season 2.

In the final episode of season 5, "Archangel", the character of Richie Ryan was killed off and the supernatural demon Ahriman was introduced into the storyline. Of the 13 episodes of season six, two did not feature Duncan at all, while a few of them showed him in little more than cameos while the producers experimented with introducing a new female Immortal character for a spin-off series. None of these actresses were chosen, and what came to be Highlander: The Raven would feature recurring character "Amanda" in a starring role, though it would be canceled after one season.

[edit] Characters

To view the list of the most important characters of the series, see List of Highlander characters.

[edit] Immortals

All Immortals age normally until their first deaths (which are always violent), at which time they "resurrect" for the first time. Afterward, they do not age, and can only be killed by beheading. All Immortals are also sterile. Immortals have normal susceptibility to the things that are fatal to mortal humans, and will "die" from them, only to resurrect shortly thereafter. Immortals sense the presence of nearby Immortals, according to the commentary on the first season boxed set, a phenomenon that the writers of the series called^{[citation needed]} "The Buzz". This term was, according to the season one, episode one commentary, never actually used in the series.

When an Immortal is beheaded, there is a powerful energy release from their body called the Quickening. This energy is signified by tearing winds and electrical arcs, and is destructive to electrical and mechanical items. This energy is absorbed by the Immortal who actually took the dead Immortal's head. When no Immortal is nearby, as in the case of an immortal's head being removed in an accident, suicide or murder by a mortal, the Quickening dissipates. It is said^{[citation needed]} to contain the power, wisdom, and experience of the beheaded Immortal. In a Quickening, although the basic personality of the victorious Immortal normally remains at the fore, the personality of the beheaded Immortal can be imprinted in their personality.^{[citation needed]}

Immortals are engaged in an ongoing struggle they call The Game. The ultimate goal is to kill all other Immortals until only one remains, a concept referenced in the films, series title sequence, and by the show's characters themselves using the phrase, "there can be only one." This Immortal will then receive The Prize. No one knows what the Prize actually is, though many speculate as to its nature. The Game has two firm rules: that there can be no fighting on holy ground (see Immortal (Highlander)) and that once a battle between two immortals has been joined, no one may interfere. In the episode "Little Tin God" (Season 5, Episode 8), Watcher Joe Dawson hinted that in all recorded Watcher history, there was only one case where two immortals fought on holy ground. This was in Pompei in 79 AD, when Mount Vesuvius erupted.

[edit] The Gathering

According to Duncan's introductory voiceover, the series is set during the time of The Gathering. However, as ever more Immortals were introduced as the series continued, the concept of the Gathering started to lose coherence within the format of the series and was quietly dropped as a theme.

[edit] Watchers and Hunters

The Watchers are a secret society that covertly observes the lives of the Immortals without revealing themselves. Each Immortal is assigned a Watcher, whose sole job is to monitor and record their activities. The Hunters, on the other hand, are an offshoot of the Watchers, with the stated goal of killing all Immortals.

[edit] Location

Although Immortals are scattered around the world, the events of the series are most notably located in Seattle, Washington, Vancouver, British Columbia and Paris, France. Flashbacks during the series often brought the show to a variety of locations, however. The series often switched locations from Seattle/Vancouver to Paris at the midway point of each season, with the exception of season six. While in Paris, Duncan lived on a barge located on the Seine river. In the Pacific Northwest, Duncan first lived in his antiques store and then in an apartment above his martial arts dojo—both in the fictional city of "Seacouver, WA".

[edit] Narration

Each episode began with an opening montage of scenes from Duncan's life, over which was a narration giving a brief overview of the series' theme. The first few episodes of the first season were narrated by Duncan himself:

“

'I am Duncan MacLeod, born four hundred years ago in the Highlands of Scotland. I am Immortal and I am not alone. For centuries we have waited for the time of the Gathering, when the stroke of a sword and the fall of a head will release the power of the Quickening. In the end, there can be only one.'

”

This narration was slightly changed in the show's seventh episode, "Mountain Men" (again by Duncan):

“

'I was born four hundred years ago in the Highlands of Scotland. I am immortal and I am not alone. Now is the time of the Gathering, when the stroke of a sword will release the power of the Quickening. In the end, there can be only one.'

”

The narration changed again in the second season, when Watcher Joe Dawson was introduced (narrative by Joe):

“

'He is immortal. Born in the Highlands of Scotland four hundred years ago, he is not alone. There are others like him - some good, some evil. For centuries, he has battled the forces of darkness, with Holy Ground his only refuge. He cannot die, unless you take his head, and with it, his power. In the end, there can be only one. He is Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander.'

”

The narration changed again at the beginning of the fourth season, and remained until the end of the series' run (narrative by Joe):

“

'He is Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander. Born in 1592 in the Highlands of Scotland, and he is still alive. He is immortal. For four hundred years, he's been a warrior... a lover... a wanderer, constantly facing other Immortals in combat to the death. The winner takes his enemy's head, and with it, his power. I am a Watcher, part of a secret society of men and women who observe and record, but never interfere. We know the truth about Immortals. In the end, there can be only one. May it be Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander.'

”

[edit] Episodes

[edit] Home video releases

[edit] Production history

Highlander: The Series originated in Europe.^[1] Christopher Lambert, who starred in the first two Highlander movies, had previously worked with French leading entertainment conglomerate Gaumont's president Christian Charret. Lambert knew that Highlander producers Peter Davis and Bill Panzer wanted to make a Highlander series and connected them with Charret.^[2] Gaumont bought the rights to the series.^[1] Highlander was one of the first project developed by Gaumont's television branch opened in 1992 and one of its financial backers was the French bank Credit du Nord.^[3]

The French leading production company Gaumont Television bought the rights to the series to have it produced in syndication in America with a local crew, a ground-breaking move at the time.^[1] Highlander marked the first time a French production company was creatively involved in a show intended for the American market.^[4] The show was co-produced in syndication by international partners including Gaumont, RTL Plus (Germany), Rysher Distribution (United States), Reteitalia Productions (Italy), Amuse Video (Japan)^[5] and TF1 (France).^[6] The budget of the first season was US$26.1 million.^[6] Keith Samples, president of Rysher, stated that "about 75% of the guaranteed budget came from overseas sales."^[7] The remaining 25% came from United States sales^[8] and the producers retained the distribution rights,^[1] which allowed the show to produce $800,000 per episode only from international income, believed to be the top result of the 1992-1993 season.^[9] To secure an adequate share of European content,^[6] and as a result of the co-production agreement, each season was divided into two segments, the first segment was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (posing at the fictional location of Seacouver, Washington, United States),^[10] the second in Paris, France.^[11][12] The production of the first segment began in Vancouver on 13 July 1992,^[13] while the production of the second segment started in December 1992 in Paris and used the studios of French state production agency Société Française de Production (SFP) at Bry-sur-Marne near Paris.^[6]

The executive producers were Bill Panzer, Peter S. Davis, Gaumont Television president Christian Charret^[3] and Gaumont co-production chief Marla Ginsburg.^[1] Steven Maier, Sheryl Hardy and Guy Collins were co-executive producers. Kevin Droney and Philip John Taylor were supervising producers at the beginning of the season; from the seventh episode onwards, David Abramowitz became supervising producer instead of Taylor.^[15] The producers were Barry Rosen and Gary Goodman. Executives in charge of production were Marc du Pontavice and Denis Leroy. Scripts were contributed by both staff and freelance writers, Brian Clemens among the latter. Brent-Carl Clackson was line producer on the Vancouver segment, from episode one to thirteen. When production moved to Paris, Clackson was succeeded by Patrick Millet (with the title of production manager) for episodes fourteen to twenty-two. The regular directors were Thomas J. Wright, Jorge Montesi and Ray Austin. The fencing coach was Bob Anderson, who coined for himself the title of Master of Swords.^[16] Anderson choreographed the fights on the Vancouver segment, then was succeeded by Peter Diamond, credited as second unit director and stunt coordinator on the Paris segment. The opening theme was "Princes of the Universe" from the 1986 album A Kind of Magic by Queen; incidental music was composed by Roger Bellon.^[17].The pilot episode was originally intended to be a third Highlander Movie (To act as a TV movie),but the low budget and Lambert agreeing to reprise his role as Conner Macleod late into production caused the pilot to be written as a 1 hour pilot.

[edit] Casting the title character

Alastair Duncan was the original choice to play the lead before Adrian Paul was cast. Duncan later appeared as Immortal Terence Coventry in the fifth season. Martial artist Gary Daniels was also a hot favorite for the lead role.

Adrian Paul beat out 400 hopefuls for the lead role.Originally, the actor was a tough sell to the investors because he was an unknown(though he played Russian ballet dancer Kolya in The Colbys) But some of the producers felt that he would appeal to both men and women fans of the franchise. Paul reminded them of a young Sean Connery. Adrian said in an interview that he was drawn to the series because it had so many layers- History,romance, Adventure, spirituality.

[edit] Reception

Critical reaction to Highlander: The Series has been generally favorable, and more favorable in general than the film sequels to the original Highlander, which have mostly received negative reviews (with the exception of the animated film Highlander: The Search for Vengeance, which has received mostly favorable reviews).

Rob Lineberger of DVD Verdict said, "The direction is sometimes uncertain, but Highlander: The Series gives viewers something unique and inspiring. Each episode gives us a provocative glimpse into the trials and concerns of immortality, great swordfights, stylish flashbacks to bygone eras, and occasionally wicked immortals with awesome quickenings."^[18] Lineberger added, "These actors, writers, producers, directors, and crew delivered one of television's great successes, particularly in the fantasy genre. Highlander: The Series took us to places we otherwise could not have gone, and did so with intelligence, style, and wit."^[19] Lineberger gave the six seasons scores of 92^[18], 93^[20], 90^[21], 92^[22], 87^[23], and 70^[19] out of 100, respectively.

Abbie Bernstein of Audio Video Revolution said, "Although it would be another two years until the series fully hit its stride, it was already [in the first season] offering something out of the ordinary narratively; in terms of production value, it remains one of the best-looking quasi-period shows ever to come down the pike, holding its own and then some against much better-funded product from the major studios."^[24] David Oliver of CHUD said that "whereas the sequels ultimately strayed from the mythology of the original [film] in the pursuit of more storytelling (translation: more money), the series built upon the mythology."^[25]

Carlo Cavagna of About Film criticized the series, saying that it was comprised of "pedestrian one-hour confrontations pitting Duncan MacLeod against one overacting nefarious immortal after another, each a pale imitation of Clancy Brown's delicious overarching villainy in the first film," and felt that the series featured "a wide array of unappealing supporting characters" and that "the writers didn't know what to do with the Highlander concept."^[26] Similarly, Danél Griffin of Film as Art remarked that "the six-season Highlander: The Series has a loyal following, but let’s be honest: Adrian Paul, the lead, is not an interesting actor, and there’s not one moment in the show—not one—that comes close to matching the wit or liveliness of the first film."^[27]

Critics have pointed to the middle seasons of the show as its best. Lineberger remarked, "There was a dramatic boost in quality from season one to season two. Season two had better writing and quality control, [and] season three is better than season two."^[21] Bernstein claimed that "during season five, [the show] was at the peak of its creative glory."^[28] Kathie Huddleston of SCI FI said that "season four was arguably the best season of the series, as the show said goodbye to characters from the previous season and delved into what made the regulars and the most notable recurring characters tick."^[29]

Critics have also singled out the sixth and final season as the worst of the series. Lineberger remarked, "I haven't attempted to hide my disappointment with this season. For the first time ever in my life as a Highlander enthusiast, I found myself utterly uncaptivated."^[19] Oliver awarded the sixth season a score of 3.9 out of 10, saying: "Like The X-Files, Highlander: The Series simply went on too long. If the star is wanting to get out of a show as much as Paul was ready to hang up his katana, then I say let it go."^[25]

[edit] "To Be or Not to Be"

During the series finale, Duncan MacLeod was thrown into another reality where he had never been born. In this reality,He shows him Amanda, who has graduated from theft to murder, and Duncan watches as she kills her husband, but is then killed herself by the Watchers. Fitz takes him to a broken Joe Dawson, who was unable to prevent James Horton from perverting the Watchers and declaring war on the Immortals. In the midst of the murders, a familiar figure walks untroubled by the world she never knew - Tessa is alive. Tessa leads an unsatisfactory life in which she has a husband and children, but is forced to sacrifice her art and sculpture. In this storyline she has an affair with MacLeod but feels she has betrayed her husband.^[30]. Distraught, Duncan asks Fitz why he let him see her like this and Fitz tells him that it is her fate in a world without the Highlander. As it was his fate to die 280 years ago when Duncan wasn't there to rescue him from the headsman's axe. Their conversation is interrupted by a sullen Methos. Fitz shows him the nightmare of this world - The Horsemen ride, Kronos having rescued Methos from Horton's killers. They recruited a young Immortal called Richie Ryan, but when he couldn't bring himself to kill Joe Dawson, Methos took his head. Now, Methos and Kronos are about to kill Joe unless he betrays Horton to them. Faced with the world that was "Not To Be" because he lived, Duncan revives in his own reality and faces O'Rourke, rather than give up his life. With O'Rourke dead, MacLeod reflects on his life with his friends and all that has brought them together.

[edit] Spin-Offs

[edit] Films

The series continued in Highlander: Endgame (2000) and Highlander: The Source (2007). The films feature Adrian Paul as Duncan MacLeod, Peter Wingfield as Methos and Jim Byrnes as Joe Dawson.

[edit] Highlander: The Raven

Plans for a spin-off series led to a group of sixth-season episodes focusing on five new female Immortals (called Fimmies by fandom) in the original Highlander series. The candidates were introduced; such as Alex Raven (played by Dara Tomanovich), Katherine (played by Claudia Christian), Kyra (played by Alice Evans), Katya (played by Justina Vail), and Reagan Cole (played by Sandra Hess). None of the new characters introduced in the spin-off episodes proved satisfactory, however, and the spin-off went to Elizabeth Gracen as the popular character Amanda. The spin-off only lasted one season due to low rating and the change in the marketing of syndicated shows.

[edit] The Methos Chronicles

The 2001 The Methos Chronicles was an animated Internet Flash-series based on Methos, a character drawn from the television series. Peter Wingfield was the voice actor for the main character of the short series, which lasted only one eight-episode season. There was some plan to develop a live-action series in the early 2000s, and Peter Wingfield was willing to participate. However, since then there hasn't been any significant news.

[edit] Reunion

In 2008, a [reunion special]http://www.hulu.com/watch/42573/highlander-reunion#x-4,vclip,1 was filmed starring Peter Wingfield, Elizabeth Gracen, and Jim Byrnes reprising their roles. The 17 minute special was a low budget project that takes place 10 years after the series (or between the fourth and fifth movies). Filming took place at Wingfield's beach home with the actors volunteering in their roles. The plot involved the characters discussing Methos' plans to get married and settle down with a mortal woman and her son.

[edit] Audio Plays

Season One

In 2009 Big Finish released a series of four audio adventures featuring Adrian Paul as Duncan MacLeod. These are:

• The Lesson - Of all the sword fights Duncan MacLeod has fought over the centuries, the toughest have been against an Immortal named Pieter Gatlan. Starring Adrian Paul and Trevor Cooper. Written by Trevor Baxendale.

• Love and Hate - A roof-top duel between sword-wielding combatants becomes the talk of Seacouver – but Duncan is perplexed when both bodies are found with their heads intact. Starring Adrian Paul and Beth Chalmers. Written by Colin Harvey.

• The Secret of the Sword - Duncan MacLeod knows a lot about swords. Everyone knows that. So, when he’s called in to help Seacouver police value an antique blade. But then, when he sees the sword – there might be more to his involvement than he originally thought… Starring Adrian Paul and Toby Longworth. Written by Jonathan Clements.

• Kurgan Rising - With an increasing number of Immortals disappearing, Duncan and Watcher Joe Dawson decide to investigate, but nothing can prepare the Highlander for what he will find: an ancient terror reborn! Starring Adrian Paul and Toby Longworth. Written by Cavan Scott & Mark Wright.

Each play in the first season is around an hour long, and contains a new music score and new Highlander audio theme by Jamie Robertson

Season Two

A second season of four plays was announced in August 2009, to be produced by Paul Spragg and script edited by James Swallow.

[edit] Books and Comics

[edit] Books

• Highlander: The Element of Fire, by Jason Henderson — The chronicles of Duncan's training days with Connor MacLeod; the friendship between the two Highlanders through the centuries. A bloodthirsty and immortal pirate Khordas vows to kill the Highlander, making up for a fearsome enemy that haunts them for hundreds of years.
• Highlander: Scimitar, by Ashley McConnell - When Joe Dawson receives an ancient sword, it triggers Duncan's remembrance of his involvement in the Arab Revolt in 1916.
• Highlander: Scotland the Brave, by Jennifer Roberson - Annie Devlin returns to draw Duncan into a new quest to win independence for Ireland. He is reluctant, given his history with failed attempts to free his homeland, including his culpability in the fate of the Stone of Scone.
• Highlander: Measure of a Man by Nancy Holder - In Venice, Italy 1655, Duncan meets legendary manipulator - and, apparently, Immortal - Niccolò Machiavelli. Duncan only narrowly escaped Machiavelli's machinations once; he may not be so lucky when the Prince of Lies resurfaces in 20th century North America.
• Highlander: The Path by Rebecca Neason - In 1781 Duncan meets a different kind of Immortal - the Dalai Lama. Soon the Highlander embarks on the path to enlightenment and peace. But that peace may be short-lived when the Immortal Nasiradeen invades Tibet.
• Highlander: Zealot by Donna Lettow - Duncan MacLeod was there when Avram Mordecai fought the enemies of his Jewish people in World War II, as he has for two thousand years. Now he finds himself trapped between his honor and his loyalties when he protects a Palestinian diplomat from his old friend.
• Highlander: Shadow of Obsession by Rebecca Neason - Once Darius was a man of war, laying siege to Rome. Centuries later, as a man of God, Darius touched the life of Duncan MacLeod. Now a spurned lover from Darius' warrior days returns for revenge against all he called friend.
• Highlander: The Captive Soul by Josepha Sherman - Three millennia past, Methos aided the Ancient Egyptian pharaohs when the Hyksos invaded. He reluctantly becomes a spy inside the Hyksos royal house, when he meets the Immortal - and thoroughly insane - Prince Khyan. Methos misses his chance to take the madman's head, a mistake that returns to haunt him as the Oldest Immortal in New York when Khyan returns to find his sword, killing all in his path.
• Highlander: White Silence by Ginjer Buchanan - MacLeod, Hugh Fitzcairn and his young apprentice get trapped in the frozen Yukon. There they face their deaths... over and over and over again.
• Highlander: An Evening at Joe's - An anthology written by the cast and crew of Highlander: The Series.

[edit] Comics

In October 2006, a Highlander comic book series started, based on the Highlander movies and TV series and published by Dynamite Entertainment. Following the TV series' continuity, the first comic arc, written by Brandon Jerwa and Michael Avon Oeming, follows Connor MacLeod after defeating The Kurgan. Duncan Macleod is slowly introduced in a one-off issue teaming him with Connor Macleod, while the second arc Dark Quickening pairs the two immortals together. The last arc of the comic is set after Highlander: Endgame and features Duncan Macleod as the main character, with a ghostly Connor advising him. Methos, Joe, Amanda and Ceirdwyn also feature.

After that series ended Dynamite released a shorter mini-series, Highlander: Way of the Sword, which can debatedly be set in the TV Series continuity, and be a stand-alone prequel to the first film, and Highlander Origins: The Kurgan, which similarly can also be set in any timeline.

[edit] Behind the Scenes

Template:Behind the Scenes

• The character of Duncan MacLeod was ranked#11 of Tv Guides list of 25 Greatest Sci-Fi Legends(August 2004).

• Alexandra Vandernoot told the producers that she wanted to leave the series early in the second season. So the writers killed off her character in the episode "The Darkness".

• The season-one episode Free Fall was the first episode to be filmed, while Indiscretions was the last episode in the series to be filmed. In that episode, the quickening scene was the last shot. Wingfield is said to have suffered a burn on the left side of his face, which healed later on.

• Musicians who have made guest appearances on the series include:

Roland Gift (Xavier St.Cloud)

Roger Daltrey (Hugh Fitzcairn)

Joan Jett (Felicia Martins)

Sheena Easton (Annie Devlin)

Dee Dee Bridgwater.(Carolin

Marcus Testory (Caspian)

Vanity (Rebeca Lords)

• Duncan's dragon-head katana hilt was made out of aluminum blades which were specially manufactured to fit though the subo into the hilt. The aluminum was so weak that it broke 2 or 3 times per fight so they made hundreds of blades.

• Duncan's antiques store and apartment for the first season were intended to be old world in new world environment-rich & textured.

• The pilot episode "The Gathering" is Christopher Lambert's first and only appearence in an american series. He was repotedly paid $500,000 for 3 days of shooting.

• The name Duncan was chosen at the last minute. It means "dark warrior" in Gaelic.

• The character of Marcus Constantine, from Pharaoh's Daughter, was originally envisioned as someone who could replace Darius as an elder to Duncan younger Immortal. But the role ultimately fell to Methos in season three.

• Band Of Brothers, Homeland, Comes a Horseman, Revelations 6:8 and Indiscretions are hailed as the best episodes of the series, with Band of Brothers considered to be the best episode overall.

• Homeland, Revelation 6:8, and The Modern Prometheus were directed by Adrian Paul himself.

• The series was originally going to follow the first film with Conner Macleod in the lead role to be played by Paul. However, Paul wanted the freedom to create his own characterization. So the writers agreed and thus Duncan Macleod was created.

• Unlike most immortals in the series, Duncan does not use an alias. The writers considered giving his some aliases like; Alistair Duncan Ian MacLeod, Daniel Warren and Axel Brosnan.

• Joe Dawson was originally going to be named Ian Dawson and was conceived to be a bookish historian with less world experience. David McCallum and Michael York wanted the role.

• The producers wanted to make a spin-off series featuring Immortal Mathew McCormick (The FBI agent who hunts serial killers). The concept would have had him traveling the US and England investigating crimes, while also dispensing Immortal justice. Kim Johnston-Ulrich (who played Cedirwyn in Take back the Night) and Nicholas Lea would have had recurring role in the series.

• Amanda originally intended to be a bisexual character. It was said that the writers were going to have the episode Legacy to reveal that Amanda and her mentor Rebecca Horne were once lovers. But the producers scrapped the idea, fearing that the censors would not allow it.

• Methos was originally going to be killed off during the series finale of season three, but the popularity of the character prompted the writers and producers to make him a recurring character.

• During the filming of the episode Epitaph for Tommy, guest star Roddy Piper sliced Adrian's hand. The on-set nurse wanted him to go to the hospital, but Adrian refused, wanting to finish the scene first.

• Werner Stocker(Darius) was unable to shoot the last episode of season one due to cancer. That episode which opened with the characters murder edited together with existing footage from earlier episodes for the first scene. Stocker died by the time the episode was aired on TV.

• "Arcangel" was to be a cliffhanger setting up season 6. After Duncan kills Richie,he retreats to a monestary foe a year.Season 6 picks up after that year and Ahriman has taken over most of the world. There is a rebellion. Joe and Methos find Duncan and talk him int getting back into the fight. Season 6 was to concern that struggle. Apparently, Adrian Paul wanted less involvment in Highlander so that he could pursue a movie career. Thus a new, ending to the series was designed.

• The spin-off series Highlander;The Raven was originally going to focus on Immortal Alex Raven from "Sins of the Father".

• Many fans of the series had hoped that "Indiscretions" was a back-door pilot for a Highlander spin-off featuring Methos and Joe. There were attempts to make the spin-off back in 2000, but the series was never made.

[edit] Controversy and Cancellation

The death of Ritchie Ryan in the season five finale and the introduction of a demonic force after 106 episodes caused outrage among fans of the series and caused a sharp decline in ratings. The killing off of Ritchie was said to be the desire of the producers to make new characters for a proposed spin-off series. Shortly thereafter, the show was canceled.

[edit] See also

• List of Highlander cast members

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Highlander: The Series

• Highlander: The Source at the Internet Movie Database
• Highlander: The Series at the Internet Movie Database
• Highlander: The Series at TV.com
• Watch Highlander episodes online (United States only)
• Official Highlander Facebook page

• Parisian and Scottish locations at:
• http://www.phys.ualberta.ca/~jdejong/personal/hl/highland.html

v • d • e Highlander Films Highlander (1986)  · Highlander II: The Quickening (1991) · Highlander III: The Final Dimension (1994) · Highlander: Endgame (2000) · Highlander: The Source (2005) · Highlander (2010) TV series Highlander: The Series (1992-1998)  (List of episodes · Season 1 · Season 2 · Season 3 · Season 4 · Season 5 · Season 6) · Highlander: The Raven (1998-1999) (List of episodes) Animation Highlander: The Animated Series (1994-1996) · The Methos Chronicles (2001) · Highlander: The Search for Vengeance (2007) Books The Element of Fire · Scimitar · Scotland the Brave · Measure of a Man · The Path · Zealot · Shadow of Obsession · The Captive Soul · White Silence · An Evening at Joe's Comics Highlander (comics) · Highlander: Way of the Sword Video games Highlander · Highlander: The Last of the MacLeods · Highlander: The Game Main characters Connor MacLeod · Duncan MacLeod · Richie Ryan · Amanda · Joe Dawson · Methos · Nick Wolfe Minor characters Heather MacLeod · Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez · Rachel Ellenstein · Tessa Noël · Darius · Hugh Fitzcairn · Charlie DeSalvo · Maurice Lalonde · Anne Lindsey Enemies The Kurgan · James Horton · Kronos · Silas · Caspian · Four Horsemen · Ahriman Lists Characters · Screenshots Other The Immortals · The Quickening · The Watchers · Seacouver · A Kind of Magic