After starring on the show for 11 years, Balfe tells Harpers BAZAAR how the Starz series allowed her try new things and what her character Claire taught her.
It is safe to say that Caitríona Balfe learned a lot after being an actress on Outlander for over 10 years, but she’s also learned a lot from the fictional character Claire she played as well.
Balfe’s claim to fame is one of those hard to believe stories, as she was scouted at the young age of 18-years-old as a model when she was simply in her homeland of Ireland trying to raise money for Charity.
Not only has she received several nominations for her role as Claire in the Starz show throughout it’s seven season run thus far, but she quickly became a fan favorite-with some in awe of her just because of her beauty.
Balfe spoke to Harper’s Bazaar about her relationship to her character Claire, as the show is ending after its eighth season airs which is expected to be late 2025 next year.
“My relationship with Claire has completely evolved over the years. In the beginning, you were filling in all of these blank spaces of her history and her memories and then, as the years went on, you’re living it, you’re creating them in real time,” she explained.
“And so, in a way, you know, without sounding weird, she lives within you. I think more than anything what I realized is, for me, personally, what an amazing teacher Claire has been.”
She continues on to say Claire has been an amazing teacher to her, as she taught her things about the human experience as a female.
“She taught me how to be responsible, taught me how to use my voice, how to stand up for myself and for other people, about compassion and empathy. I hope I brought some of those qualities into it, anyway,” she added.
Balfe continued on to explain that she learned new things from the show as well, as they let her direct an episode of the show in its seventh season.
“I was asking our producers for a little bit if I could, and in season seven, I got the opportunity to do some second unit stuff,” she recalled to Harpers BAZAAR. “That was amazing as a first foray into it. When I got to do a whole episode, it was just so much fun, so I would love to do more.”