Hugh Fitzcairn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hugh Fitzcairn
Highlander character
First appearance	"The Hunters"
Portrayed by	Roger Daltrey
Information
Gender	male
Born	c. 1190, Sussex, England
Immortality	1224
Death	1995 (aged 804–805)
Teacher	Henry Fitzmartin

Hugh Fitzcairn is a fun and brave character from the TV show Highlander: The Series. He's played by the famous actor and musician Roger Daltrey. Fitzcairn is an Immortal, which means he can't die from old age or sickness. He's also a close friend of the show's main hero, Duncan MacLeod.

First Adventures: Meeting Fitzcairn

Fitzcairn first appears in the final episode of season one, called "The Hunters" (1993). He's known for being charming and loving life. When we first see him, he visits Duncan MacLeod's boat. He's very polite and compliments Duncan's friend, Tessa Noël.

Fitzcairn is worried because other Immortals have been disappearing. Soon after, another Immortal named Darius is found without his head. Duncan and Fitzcairn investigate together.

Captured by the Hunters

While looking for clues, Fitzcairn is captured by a group called the Hunters. Their leader, James Horton, believes Immortals are wrong. Even when he's a prisoner, Fitzcairn keeps his sense of humor. He tells Horton to calm down!

The Hunters try to hurt Fitzcairn using a guillotine. But Duncan MacLeod arrives just in time to save him. Fitzcairn thanks Duncan, joking that "the women of the world" will be happy he's safe. This episode also shows that Fitzcairn and MacLeod first saw the Watcher symbol in Italy in 1639. A Watcher, disguised as a beggar, wore it on a necklace.

Fitzcairn's Long History

Hugh Fitzcairn was born in 1190 in Sussex, England. He became an Immortal in 1224. His first "death" happened because of a jealous husband, which shows his habit of getting into tricky situations over women. Henry Fitzmartin taught him how to be an Immortal. Fitzmartin either shared Fitzcairn's lively personality or was often annoyed by him!

Fitzcairn was a happy and popular person. He was the life of every party and could charm anyone. He was well-liked by his friends, especially Duncan MacLeod.

Friends and Family

Fitzcairn was also friends with Connor MacLeod and Darius. He once flirted with a woman named Selene, who was with Connor. He called Connor a "rebel" who would break her heart. Connor was so upset that he didn't go to a wedding ten years later.

Much later, in 1987, Fitzcairn helped Duncan when Connor was recovering from a "Dark Quickening." Fitzcairn spoke kindly of "Brother Darius," saying he was one of the best Immortals.

A Royal Plot

In 1720, Fitzcairn tried to copy the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. He wanted to remove King George I from power because he thought the King was not the rightful ruler. Fitzcairn was loyal to the House of Stuart and remained a Roman Catholic. Duncan MacLeod accidentally stopped Fitzcairn's plan. Duncan was trying to steal the Stone of Scone at the same time! This adventure is shown in the episode "Stone of Scone."

The End of an Era

Fitzcairn was killed in 1995 by Antonius Kalas. Kalas wanted to hurt Duncan MacLeod by killing his friends first. Duncan later got revenge for Fitzcairn by defeating Kalas. Fitzcairn is remembered for his fun, romantic style. He shared many adventures with Duncan, from a golf game where Fitzcairn was caught cheating to the theft of the Stone of Scone.

What Makes Fitzcairn Special?

Fitzcairn saw himself as "kind and brave." He was also good at sword fighting. He loved mead, which he called "the honeyed drink of the gods." The Watcher Chronicles, which are like a secret history of Immortals, describe him as a mix of famous heroes.

Loyalty and Love

Even though he might have moved on from some relationships quickly, Fitzcairn was always very loyal to his friends. He believed that love was the most important thing in life. He thought it was the only thing worth fighting for.

Fitzcairn also had excellent taste and a dramatic style. His sword, a cup-hilt rapier, fit his adventurous personality perfectly.

Behind the Character: How Fitzcairn Was Created

The script for "The Hunters" described Fitzcairn as looking like he was in his early forties. He had a strong build, a reddish face, and thick, straw-colored hair. He also smoked a pipe.

Roger Daltrey's Impact

Originally, Fitzcairn was supposed to die at the end of "The Hunters." But the show's producer, Bill Panzer, liked Roger Daltrey so much that they decided to let Fitzcairn live. Daltrey is famous as the lead singer of the band The Who.

Creative Consultant David Abramowitz said that Roger Daltrey and actress Elizabeth Gracen brought "magic" to the show. He knew that any episode with them would be fun and well-acted. Executive Script Consultant David Tynan also found Daltrey fun to work with. Even though Fitzcairn was killed off later, the show could always bring him back in stories set in the past.

Donna Lettow, an Associate Creative Consultant, explained that Fitzcairn's death in "Star-Crossed" was planned to make the villain, Kalas, seem truly evil. Even though fans wondered if Fitzcairn really had to die, it was important for the story at the time. But the creators knew they could always bring him back in flashbacks.

Tynan mentioned that Fitzcairn was an "angel" in the series finale episodes "To Be" and "Not To Be." He was surprised they could get Daltrey back, but it was the perfect choice for the character. Associate Creative Consultant Gillian Horvath felt it was great to have all the important characters, including Fitzcairn and Roger Daltrey, in the finale. It was a wonderful ending for the show.