Caitriona Balfe is preparing to bid farewell to her iconic role in the beloved series “Outlander,” even before the eighth and final season has premiered. Reflecting on her journey, the Irish actress shared, “We sort of said our goodbyes a year and a half ago, and now this is the final goodbye.” Just weeks ahead of the show’s release, which wrapped filming in the fall of 2024, Balfe expressed excitement about the culmination of the series and her eagerness for fans to experience the final chapter.
Recently attending a press trip in New York, Balfe emphasized the special nature of this final season, describing it as a mix of old and new emotions. “Even though a lot of us have seen each other over the last year and a half, having us all together probably hasn’t happened since we wrapped,” Balfe stated, highlighting the significance of their reunion.
Since its debut in 2014, “Outlander” has chronicled the time-traveling adventures of Claire and Jamie, played by Balfe and Sam Heughan, respectively. As she prepares to leave the character behind, Balfe reflected on her decade-long transformation alongside Claire, who aged from her late 20s to her early 60s throughout the series. “She lived within me for over a decade, so I understand — or I feel like I understand — her intimately,” Balfe remarked.
While “Outlander” reaches its conclusion, Balfe is already looking to the future, having started production on a new project titled “The Housekeeper,” a romantic drama set in the 1930s. Filming in London allows her to remain closer to home, which is particularly important as she balances her career and family life with a young son.
Aside from “The Housekeeper,” Balfe has an exciting lineup of upcoming projects, including “Tenzing,” a biographical film about the Sherpa who helped conquer Mount Everest, and adaptations of Colm Tóibín’s “A Long Winter” and Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility.” She is eager to bring a fresh perspective to these classic stories, noting the evolving relationship each generation has with timeless texts.
As Balfe reflects on her ten years with “Outlander,” she feels liberated by the newfound opportunities ahead of her. “I’m just so grateful that I get to do different things,” she expressed, shedding light on her curiosity for exploring a variety of roles in her upcoming ventures. Balfe’s journey illustrates a beautiful evolution not just for her character Claire but for herself as she embarks on the next chapter of her career and life.