Outlander’s Claire Fraser and Laoghaire MacKenzie reunion was changed
Outlander’s Caitríona Balfe had a significant influence on a pivotal scene involving her character Claire Fraser and Laoghaire MacKenzie, portrayed by Nell Hudson.
The dramatic moment took place at Beaufort Castle where the two characters crossed paths once more after Claire’s near-death experience as a result of being accused of witchcraft, an accusation instigated by Laoghaire, reports the Daily Record.
Executive producer Ronald D. Moore and writer Anne Kenney discussed how Balfe felt it was out of character for Claire to “unleash” on Laoghaire during their encounter in season two.
Balfe, along with Kenney, believed that Claire would handle the situation in a more subdued way, and their input was incorporated into the final version of the episode titled The Fox’s Lair.
Moore shared: “A lot of discussion about how this first encounter was going to go down. I was actually advocating a much tougher response from Claire. I really wanted Claire to go at her.”
He continued: “But my initial impulse was Claire is taken by surprise, she sees Laoghaire, and she has thought about it on some level, the fantasy in her mind, ‘If I ever see Laoghaire again, what would I do?'”.
“And then caught unawares, Laoghaire comes and she would just unleash on her.”
Moore added: “Then I think you and I know Cait all felt, well that’s not Claire and wanted to play it a little cooler and hold back a little more. It’s probably the right decision in the show.”
Outlander’s executive producer Ronald D. Moore has previously shared on the Official Outlander podcast how receptive the team is to cast input about character development, with the actors’ perspectives influencing the series creation.
Scriptwriter Anne Kenney disclosed: “I wrote a version of that scene and ended up really liking it. It’s funny how that happens too.”
She also discussed why they modified Claire’s reaction in the scene, stating: “What we came to after everything Claire’s been through, Laoghaire is such small potatoes.”
Kenney elaborated further: “After everything in Paris and losing the baby and all that.”
Moore interjected: “That was the big thing that swayed it. Really in the scheme of things, is she really that mad at Laoghaire?”
Despite their strained past stemming from the witch trial, the dynamic between Claire and Laoghaire remained complex, mainly due to Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan).
However, season seven of Outlander showed positive developments, with Jamie and Laoghaire smoothing things over. Jamie notably assists his former flame in finding matrimonial bliss again, while also helping her daughter Joan MacKimmie (Layla Burns) pursue religious life as a nun and ensuring financial stability for Laoghaire’s family.