Caitriona Balfe heading for Scotland to film Outlander

US cable channel Starz have announced key casting for their major new TV drama Outlander, which is due to start shooting in Scotland at the end of September and which will star Caitriona Balfe (Now You See Me).

By Nia Daniels 12 Sep 2013

Caitriona Balfe heading for Scotland to film Outlander
Caitriona Balfe

US cable channel Starz have announced key casting for their major new TV drama Outlander, which is due to start shooting in Scotland at the end of September and which will star Caitriona Balfe (Now You See Me).

Balfe will play the role of Claire Randall in the show, which is adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books. Balfe is best known so far for her role in J.J. Abrams’ sci-fi thriller, Super 8, and has completed filming Escape Plan with heavyweights Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.

Gabaldon herself said of the casting news: “The moment Caitriona Balfe came on screen, I sat up straight and said, ‘There she is!’ “

Showrunner and executive producer Ronald D Moore added: “Caitriona wasn't on anyone's radar, she wasn't on any list, but when we saw her audition tape, we immediately knew she was someone special. Then, after we had her read with Sam [Heughan, the male lead actor], we knew we'd found our Claire.”

Outlander will provide a major boost for the Scottish production industry – a purpose-built studio is being erected from a converted warehouse in the Cumbernauld area of the country. And with an eleven-month shoot ahead, it should certainly provide plenty of jobs.

Gabaldon herself said of the casting news: “The moment Caitriona Balfe came on screen, I sat up straight and said, ‘There she is!’ “

Showrunner and executive producer Ronald D Moore added: “Caitriona wasn't on anyone's radar, she wasn't on any list, but when we saw her audition tape, we immediately knew she was someone special. Then, after we had her read with Sam [Heughan, the male lead actor], we knew we'd found our Claire.”

Outlander will provide a major boost for the Scottish production industry – a purpose-built studio is being erected from a converted warehouse in the Cumbernauld area of the country. And with an eleven-month shoot ahead, it should certainly provide plenty of jobs.

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