It ’s uncommon for a televisedspinoffof a popular movie to capture its own chase , butHighlander : The Series(1992 - 1998 ) finagle it . The syndicated computer program surveil the adventure of Duncan MacLeod ( Adrian Paul ) , an Immortal being over 400 years old — and a distant relative of Christopher Lambert’sHighlander(1986 ) flick character Connor MacLeod — who is forever forced into mortal combat against other Immortals looking to chop off his nous . ( That ’s the only way this deep airstream can fail . ) With sidekick Richie Ryan ( the tardy Stan Kirsch ) , Duncan confronts enemies both preceding and present .
The series , whichairedin more than 90 countries and wasseenby roughly 4.3 million viewers weekly , received eclat for its thoughtful storytelling and generally being a slash above normal syndicated action transportation of the era . For more onHighlander : The Series , include why Lambert was upturned over the original and what Paul is up to today , keep record .
1. Christopher Lambert was paid 10 times more than he asked for to appear in theHighlanderpilot.
WhenHighlanderfilm manufacturer Bill Panzer and Peter S. Davis decided to go after a television series based on the franchise , they were able-bodied tosecurefinancial partnerships with a routine of foreign markets , including Germany and France . The producers hoped to have Christopher Lambert briefly reprise his role as Connor MacLeod in the pilot sequence to help introduce audiences to the new lead type , Duncan MacLeod . ( Earlyplansto have the show focus on Connor with a newfangled doer were considered but later scrapped . ) Lambert , who liked both Panzer and Davis , agreed to sprout the show for a very reasonable $ 50,000 . But apparently one French accountant involved with the show thought Lambert was too expensive and asked Connor be write out of the script . Then the Germans dropped out , which lead to the French investor require that Connor be written back in .
By the prison term Lambert was expect a 2d sentence , he was so stung he refused to do it . Because finance from the Germans depended on his participation , the production made him an whirl of $ 500,000 for three days of body of work — and Lambert accepted .
2. Adrian Paul landed the lead role inHighlanderby being cocky.
Adrian Paul had a recur role on the primetime soapThe Colbysand on the syndicated dramaWar of the Worldsbefore auditioning for the role of Immortal Duncan MacLeod . grant to Paul , when he walked into the cast session , hetoldproducers that “ you do n’t have to look any further . You ’ve already found your Highlander . ” Though Paul said it partly in jest , producers must have like his confidence . A few months after , he was range .
3.Highlandershot half of each season in France.
Unlike most syndicated shows of the geological era , Highlanderhad an international tactile property . Because it was backed in part by French - possess Gaumont Television , one-half of each time of year wasshotin Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada , and half was shot in France . ( Filmline International in Canada co - produced the serial , while Rysher Entertainment distribute it in the United States . ) That lent the series a feeling of oscilloscope — especially during one climactic time of year finale scrap on top of the Eiffel Tower — that was hard for other shows to match . The serial also contrive Belgian actress Alexandra Vandernoot as Tessa Noel , Duncan ’s girlfriend .
4. TheHighlanderactor who played Methos later became a physician.
Peter Wingfield became a fan best-loved for his portrayal of Methos , an Immortal who was over 5000 yr honest-to-goodness . AfterHighlanderand guest spots on show likeNCIS : Los Angeles , Wingfield pursued his original destination of becoming a doctor . He enroll at the University of Vermont College of Medicine andgraduatedat the age of 52 in 2015 . He specializes in anesthesiology .
5. AHighlanderspinoff failed to take off.
6. There was aHighlanderwebisode epilogue.
AfterHighlander : The Serieswrapped , Paul become on to star as Duncan MacLeod in 2000’sHighlander : Endgameand 2007’sHighlander : The generator , both of which were met with negative decisive and commercial-grade response . In 2008 , Davis - Panzer Productions producedReunion , a unretentive entanglement epilogue to the series thatfeaturedGracen , Wingfield , and Jim Byrnes , who portrayed mortal legal community owner Joe Dawson in the show . The mathematical group gathers prior to Methos getting married . Though Duncan is mentioned , Paul does not make an coming into court .
7.Highlandermerchandise was big business.
In the early days of the internet , Highlanderbecame a hot topic of on-line conversation , with the good - looking Paul and the show ’s increasingly complex mythology — due in part to the supervision of producer David Abramowitz — making for compelling television . Knowing that devoted fans of the show would be interested in collectibles , producers issue aHighlandermerchandise catalogue in the 1990s thatofferedeverything from replica swords to kilts to VHS tapes . The merchandising effortreceivedmore than 100,000 orders . you may see a vintage television bit for it above .
8. Adrian Paul has moved fromHighlanderto teaching sword classes.
Thanks to his years onHighlander , Paul is an completed point fencer . Fans who would care to foot up similar accomplishment and reenact sword fights fromHighlander , Game of Thrones , or even lightsaber duels fromStar Warscan sign of the zodiac up for The Sword Experience , a seminartourhosted by Paul . Your head is guarantee to remain entire .
