Such a beautiful man...

I have known how you feel since I first noticed him in Rome almost ten years ago. Nathaniel Bloom in the Honorable Woman is one of his best characters. You don't get many tough guys who are also so soulful.

I am a Cat-aholic, cats are my religion.

Eloise, I think you described his character perfectly - soulful tough guy. I did notice that you are also into him. Saw a lot of your comments in the threads to 'Outlander'. The only other show I've seen Tobias in is 'Game of Thrones', but because he played Edmure Tully and came in the show at an extremely tense juncture, all that everyone was focused upon was the fate of the Starks. Everything and everyone else kind of got relegated to the background.

I haven't seen 'Rome' or 'Outlander'. I'll watch the shows, eventually... But I feel like if I continue devouring everything he has acted in, I fear I'll fall further in love with him. Think I should wait to get some perspective and a little objectivity when it comes to TM and then watch the shows. Don't know whether that makes any sense to you...

I agree. I first noticed him in HBO's ROME. His portrayal of Brutus was brilliant, sensitive, and heartbreaking. When Brutus died, the show was over for me.

While Sam Heughan is lovely, Menzies steals every scene while he's on the screen. The scene in "Both Sides Now" in which Frank loses control of his anger and frustration and attacks the two blackmailers is horrifying--and so damned exciting. Man, oh, man--an Oxford don with street cred is unbelievably sexy.

When I read Outlander, I thought Frank was a lovely man. I thought his knowledge of history was fascinating instead of boring like Claire did. Part of me didn't quite understand Claire's desire to stay with Jamie., but I guess I don't want a guy who punishes me like a child, admonishes me to be less independent, and learn to accept a man's control over my life.

I'm both dreading and intrigued by the upcoming scenes in Wentworth Prison. I know Menzies will play Black Jack with merciless, twisted sadism. Still I think what makes Menzies's portrayal of both Frank and Black Jack so compelling is his intrisict intelligence and innate empathy--and almost feline grace. Tobias Menzies is ideal man--beautiful mind, body, and soul.

P.S. I would love for Menzies to play Alex Randall, since Jamie and Claire initially mistake him for Black Jack. Please, please--are you listening Mr. Moore?

I don't want a guy who punishes me like a child, admonishes me to be less independent, and learn to accept a man's control over my life.


Yet many Outlander readers accuse Frank of doing exactly this. Go figure. Great post, by the way.

I am a Cat-aholic, cats are my religion.

I'm shocked by how sexy I found him in "The Honourable Woman" because I'm usually a complete beauty nazi. Any actor without mathematically perfect features doesn't get a mention.

By all logic, I should find Tobias utterly homely. Some people just have this IT factor that goes beyond looks.

I haven't seen 'Rome' or 'Outlander'. I'll watch the shows, eventually...

You haven't seen Rome? Lucky you, you are in for a treat. I consider this to be one of the best series I ever saw. It's top notch - everything about it is fantastic from the actors to the sets to the writing. This is where I first noticed TM. He was absolutely marvelous as Brutus and was one of my favorite characters.

I just discovered Outlander and binge watched my way through all of season 1. Have to say TM and Sam Heughan are two very brave actors. I don't think I've ever seen anything like the scene they play in the last episode S1 in any movie let alone a TV series. I was awed at their performances though it was very difficult to watch. While Sam Heughan's character is indeed a hunky hero, I find TM's character, Black Jack Randall so much more interesting. The way TM plays him is just mesmerizing. I find I can't take my eyes off of him whenever he's on screen. He does a brilliant job with this character.

And yes, I agree he is a very attractive man. 

Hi RememberMePlease,

I agree with you about Sam Heughan, he's very attractive and quite talented, but Tobias is astonishing in Outlander. He blows it out of the water in Season 2, Episode 1 as Frank. To be honest, though Black Jack was quite flashy and Tobias took chances, his Frank broke my heart.

If you have a spare 10 minutes, look at The Birthday Gift. Tobias shot it around the time he started Outlander. The link is on this board and I think you'll like Tobias's performance.

I agree with you about Sam Heughan, he's very attractive and quite talented, but Tobias is astonishing in Outlander. He blows it out of the water in Season 2, Episode 1 as Frank. To be honest, though Black Jack was quite flashy and Tobias took chances, his Frank broke my heart.

Completely agree with you. I saw the first episode of season 2 and nearly cried. Poor, poor Frank he's so wonderful with Claire who cannot quite hide her (almost) contempt and disdain for him. He's so gentle and so reasonable. I think he loves her as much as Claire loves Jamie because how many men would accept back a wife who disappears for two years, comes back with a time travel story and the announces she's pregnant to boot? Yet he's quite prepared to take her back and raise the child as his own. I really felt for his suffering though I know most people don't give a damn about Frank amd just want Claire to get back to Jamie.

Claire's pregnancy at this time has me quite puzzled though. If this is two years after they leave for France and she was pregnant then, why is she pregnant now? I'm kind of scratching my head at that but since I've only started watching S02 maybe it will all be explained.

I do hope though that Black Jack is not dead mostly because I do so enjoy watching TB play him, lol. He's less of a cartoon evil character than Ramsay Bolton in GoT because his character is so much more complex,

And thanks I did see the "Birthday Present" that was posted here. Creepy but very good and what a twist, eh?