Discovery of Witches clip teases big Gallowglass arc in season 3

A Discovery of Witches may be gearing up to further explore Gallowglass' feelings for Diana Bishop in the fantasy show's third season, as it nods to a major plot point from the books in which it's based.

In season two, it was briefly mentioned that the character (played by Outlander's Steven Cree) carries a torch for Teresa Palmer's Diana – an affection complicated by the fact that she's married to Gallowglass' uncle, and fellow vampire, Matthew Clairmont (Downton Abbey's Matthew Goode).

steven gree as gallowglas in a discovery of witches

Sky UK

In 'The Book of Life', the final novel in Deborah Harkness' 'All Souls Trilogy', Diana spots a section of Gallowglass' tattoo and asks to see the rest. When he reveals the inking, she's shocked to see that it's of Cora, her firedrake familiar, and stretches from his arm across his chest to his heart.

Understanding the symbolism, it's in that moment that she realises he loves her, officially sparking an enduring debate between readers as to whom Diana should really be with. (You know, standard bloodsucker-based love triangle drama).

Now, a new behind-the-scenes featurette – unveiled exclusively by Digital Spy above – has revealed that the long-awaited new episodes will see Gallowglass sporting the body art (and indulging viewers with some potentially topless scenes, too).

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Sky

Showing fans around the set of season three, Cree offers up a glimpse at a tattoo parlour Gallowglass will be visiting.

"The reason for this scene is that vampire skin regenerates very quickly so Gallowglass has to get his tattoos reapplied every few months, otherwise they fade," he explains. "He's got one in particular that is very close to his heart, figuratively and literally, so when we see Gallowglass getting this reapplied, [it] tells a bigger story visually than you could ever say in words... Even though I've just told you in words!"

Cree also hints that, as in the third book, Gallowglass will always be around to protect Diana, and has in fact protected her since she was a child, watching over her even though she was completely unaware.

A Discovery of Witches airs on Sky Max and NOW in the UK, returning in 2022. In the US, it airs on Sundance Now, Shudder and AMC+.