Loves of My Life: Sophie Skelton

The best interviews are often the most personal. In Loves of My Life, we get to know the person behind their craft, asking them the important questions we're desperate to know—the restaurants and date-night spots, what's in their Saved folder on Instagram, the piece of jewellery they're most attached to and what's lurking at the bottom of their handbag. In short, these are the true loves of their life. Next up is Outlander actress Sophie Skelton.

What's your #1 restaurant to visit in the world, and what do you order?

Ah man, that’s a good question. I come from the North of England where the pub food and countryside setting is hard to beat, so seeing as we’re coming into winter, a cosy pub in the middle of nowhere with an open fire and (ideally) snow outside is pretty perfect but otherwise—a “favourite” really depends on my mood and what the occasion is. There’s something I really enjoy (and it's very barbarous of me,) about eating fish by the ocean. I love a marinated miso cod so perhaps Nobu Malibu for the view and the fresh fish. (Insert your judgement here).

Is there anything in your wardrobe that you're particularly sentimental about?

I’m not usually a big cap wearer but I have one that I bought with my best mate on a trip; they had just moved country and were having a hard time so I flew out to visit them. I love pieces that remind me of smiling and laughing in the face of hardship, and it gives me a little injection of life and joy whenever I wear it, so sometimes I’ll throw it on to capture that feeling and to feel close to someone/ the people I love who are far away.

What would we always find lurking in the bottom of your handbag?

Random sets of keys! I have keys from flats I’ve stayed in for jobs, and for friend’s houses around the world in case I ever want to stay or visit, and I don’t know which belong where or to whom they belong, soooo it’s a rock-up and lucky-dip kind of situation at the bottom of my handbag. I’m like Mr Treeger from Friends. (I definitely have an old NYC one in there too, so dancing on a New York rooftop is an option.)

I also have a load of friendship bracelets in there that fans have given me on trips. I have one handbag that I take everywhere, so it's full of have random bracelets from fans all over the world that now come with me. I always remember the individual interaction and who gave me what, so I like to think they can feel my thoughts and strength with them back.

What's your signature scent?

That is actually one of my best kept secrets (and I pride myself on my secret keeping). But I do have a signature blend I created and used to wear all the time. Unfortunately they discontinued one so I’m still looking for an alternative to recreate the mix, but it’s Tom Ford White Suede, then Vanille Fatale, and then Venetian Bergamot on top to lift it. I'm not a fan of anything too floral, and I’ve always been a tomboy so I edge towards more “masculine” scents. I also like to change my perfume at work sometimes to ensure I don’t feel rooted back to myself so it’s great to have a small handful on hand to mix and match.

If you could only holiday in one place for the rest of your life, where would it be?

This is going to sound extremely textbook, but I’m a sucker for white sand and sea. I’m also a sunshine junkie and I’m the kind of person who struggles without Vitamin D and natural daylight. Plus, I’m always cold so, take me to wherever that may be! I’ve never been to the Caribbean or Hawaii so maybe that’ll be the spot. Sand, sea and sunshine. Watching a quiet sunset on the beach with a warm breeze is my happy place.

Lahania beach in Hawaii.

We've caught you on a rare day off. What are you doing with your spare time?

I am terrible at “days off”. I look forward to them so much but when they arrive I feel guilty for being idle. I'm usually trying to clear life admin so I can have a day with really nothing to do. I do love a Sunday morning with a coffee, monthly Vogue and my dog roaming around though. And if I can find somewhere green for him to run and me to flight-mode my phone and switch off my mind then that’s a pretty good day off for me. I love being with my friends but everyone lives so far away most of the time and spread around the globe, so I fall into my factory hibernation mode which I am wary of succumbing to too much. I like to add in a pub Sunday roast if I’m in the UK and that’s a perfect day off for me. Laughter and Yorkshire puddings. Sold.

What's your secret date-night spot?

I recently discovered a great Mezcal bar near me. I love a speakeasy and somewhere private and not too bright or noisy. The best spots are somewhere you can chat, not have to shout, but also not be overheard. I also love a late night wander through a city too and feel the buzz of everyone enjoying their evenings around. I'm a big admirer of just walking and seeing where we end up. Bridges, rivers and city night lights.

What's one item of clothing you would never part with, and why?

I have a pair of Chloé wellies that I think I will wear in and wear down ‘til the day I die. Dramatic but true. Well worn-in wellies are the one.

Richard Rankin, Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton, Executive Producer Maril Davis and John Bell attend "Outlander" 10th Anniversary Celebration during PaleyFest 2024.

What's your current most-played on Spotify?

My music taste is so eclectic. Most played will range from Etta James to Taylor Swift and maybe some Rock sprinkled in with Country. Currently my most played song is “Letting Go” by Angie McMahon from the Shrinking soundtrack, and “Bright” from the Stereophonic musical, but they’re a little more sad than my usual taste. I must be having a moment.

What's your favourite IG account to follow, and why?

Social media and I don’t have a very consistent relationship and I’m not a big scroller, but some of my friends are really flipping funny on there. I’d say my friends who are mums are probably my favourites to follow and see pop up on the old feed. Their posts are so authentic and have such a comedic and sarcastic way of showing their parenthood struggles and strifes that lift other women up and show familiar experiences in a way that you can feel seen and still have a giggle on top. Makes me happy to see that sisterhood and teamwork in what can be such a lonely/= and comparative online place.

If we looked through your Saved folder on IG, what would we find?

Currently a lot of motivational posts. It’s an exciting and uprooting time for me so I seem to be liking a lot of posts that are grounding and foreword facing. That and quotes from actors. Handy tips and what not.

Where is your favourite place for inspiration and your favourite place for fun?

My favourite place for inspiration is Haworth—Brontë falls, moody moors and getting lost. For fun, it's probably at the piano seeing what creation pours out. And actually, being at work for both. I love being on set and not knowing what’s going to come out in a take. It’s a great way of processing life for me and discovering new things about people and myself.

What's one beauty or self-care item you can't live without?

"Can’t live without" is extreme, but I do have this little face roller that I got from an airport Boots called “Botanics Twin Facial Massager” and that’s become my daily go -to, I’ll often use it on way to work. I have endometriosis and PCOS, so I tend to get sluggish lymphatic system and water retention, especially when travelling a lot for work. I also tense when I’m stressed, so it’s been an easy but super effective game changer. And not time consuming which is a win-win for me.

What are your top three favourite movies of all time?

Green Book, Good Will Hunting and Roman Holiday.

Richard Rankin (“Roger MacKenzie”) and Sophie Skelton (“Brianna Fraser MacKenzie”) in series 7 of Outlander on Starz.

What's one piece of advice that someone you love gave to you that has always stuck?

Put your blinkers on and run your own race.

Who are your professional and personal heroes?

Professional? Easily Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Dakota and Elle Fanning, Matt Damon, Elizabeth Olsen, Zendaya, Tom Hanks... Man, I could go on. Personal— there are so many people around me who are making a difference in the world and have missions so much bigger than themselves that I really admire, and I see people I love being stronger and wiser each day which is heroic in itself.

Who is/are the love(s) of your life?

Being in the cinema is and has always been my one love. So immersed and totally switched off from everything else. It’s magical to me. I get a similar feeling being on stage.

What is the love of your life?

Typical “dog mum” of me but, Loka, my 70kg Great Dane. Accidentally named him that and later found out it means “world” so pretty appropriate.

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