Caitriona Balfe, known for her starring role in the historical drama "Outlander," has revealed she was unaware of the immense popularity of Diana Gabaldon's novels upon which the series is based before filming began. The show, which catapulted her to global celebrity status, centered on her portrayal of Claire Randall, a World War II nurse transported to 18th-century Scotland.
Balfe, 46, shared in an interview with Tatler magazine that her journey to acting involved a significant shift from a decade-long career as a fashion model. Scouted at 18, she spent years working in Paris, Milan, London, and New York before transitioning to acting.
"I remember my lawyer emailing me, 'So it's going to be a year in Scotland? Are you OK with that?'" Balfe recalled. "Flash forward 12 years later…"
She acknowledged the inherent uncertainty in any acting project, stating, "You never know with things how they're going to go." Balfe credited the early success of "Outlander" to a strong on-set chemistry and the pre-existing, substantial fanbase of Gabaldon's books, a fact she did not fully grasp at the outset.
Following the recent conclusion of the series' final episodes, Balfe admitted that saying goodbye to the "Outlander" cast and crew was more emotionally taxing than anticipated. "I cried for ages," she said.
Despite her experience in "Outlander," which involved extensive periods in historical costume, Balfe was initially hesitant to immediately embark on another period drama. However, she found herself unable to refuse the opportunity to play Mrs. Dashwood in an upcoming adaptation of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility." She noted the enduring appeal of Austen's work, suggesting, "Every generation discovers something different from her."
Balfe is featured on the cover of the October issue of Tatler magazine, which is available digitally and in stores from September 3.