Outlander star Caitriona Balfe says the show ‘changed her life’ as she praises the fans as ‘incredible’
The Claire Fraser actress appeared on the Late Late Show in Ireland where she praised Outlander fans for getting behind her so much and planting a forest on her behalf.
Outlander star Caitriona Balfe described how the hit drama has “changed her life” as she lavished praise on the fans for being “lovely” and getting behind her so much.
She has played Claire Fraser in the historic romance for almost 10 years, and will finally give up the role when the series comes to an end next year following season eight.
It was her first major acting role following a successful modelling career and has led to worldwide fame, and also catapulted her to movie stardom. She starred in Belfast, an Oscar-nominated film.
And she paid tribute to the cast and crew who have been by her side in Outlander for the past decade, including Scots co-star Sam Heughan who she shares a close relationship with.
Ms Balfe was interviewed on prime time Irish chat show the Late Late Show with host Ryan Tubridy mentioning how successful Outlander has been, and the rabid fanbase which it enjoys. He called it a “phenomenal success” and pointed out it was up to 10 years old.
"This job, it's a joy. I've worked with the same people pretty much now for 10 years. That's my gang that's my crew. And this character, she's incredible."
—Caitriona Balfe, on The Late Late Show talking about how Outlander has changed her life 💜💜💜 pic.twitter.com/gEiRqgU0Zy
— SA7AH (@TinyTunney) May 5, 2023
She said: “10 years of us shooting, yeah, so we’re about to start shooting in a few months our eighth season, but our seventh season is starting to air June 16.”
Mr Tubridy points out that she seems to be “really happy” discussing the show, to which the actress responds: “It changed my life. I was very late to start acting, I changed my career at 30 which is usually the age where people say ‘you haven’t made it, it’s over.’
“It gave me everything, it’s opened so many doors for me and I wouldn’t have done all this work {without it}. But also this job, it’s a joy, I’ve worked with the same people pretty much now for 10 years and we are a gang, that’s my gang, that’s my crew. And this character, she’s incredible, I’ve gotten to do so much and being so stretched as an actor because of who she is.”
The pair then discussed the Outlander fanbase which is huge. The Starz Play show has a cult following across the world, with it airing in multiple countries.
Ms Balfe called them “very passionate” and “incredible” and told how they had fundraised to grow her a forest to mark her 40th birthday and because she spoke about environmental issues.
She said: “So a couple of years for my birthday, I try and talk about environmental projects occasionally. And for my birthday, they decided that they would collect money and donate it to a tree planting organisation.
“When they started they wanted to get like 400 or something and it was for my 40th birthday. I think at this point, it’s now 200,000 or something trees they’ve planted which is incredible.
“I do have to give a shout out to one of the ladies I met the other night. It was Courtney, she gave me a card and she’s recovering from cancer so I just want to wish her the best, I wish her well. But it’s an amazing thing they get behind, they behind on our account. They’re kind, they’re thoughtful, sweet and lovely.”
