First Outlander screen test with Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan hits web
The clip below comes courtesy of Entertainment Tonight and it is introduced by none other than show executive producer Ronald D. Moore. In this, Moore makes it clear what the situation was leading into the screen test. Heughan had already been cast as Jamie Fraser and production was searching for the perfect Claire. There were many signs that Balfe would be perfect for the role, but this emotional scene helped to prove it. You can see the chemistry and the passion here from the beginning — even though they’re both wearing modern-day clothing you can still picture Jamie and Claire in their movements and emotion.
We understand why screen tests are so popular to watch after the fact — after all, they represent the beginning of an incredible journey for many actors on the show. For however much we like to follow casts and crews through their whole journey as a part of a show, this video is more evidence of how early the journey the stars for parties involved. Over the past few years we’ve gotten a wonderful chance to get to know Outlander through its story and cast members; we have to imagine that this time had to be an especially strange one in the lives of Sam and Caitriona. They were excited to be a part of this crazy new experience, likely feeling that it would be great but not knowing for sure how the audience would respond to it. The first couple of seasons of almost any show are among the most interesting because they are for the most part insular — you are making this show without much outside feedback, and with only the source material and the books as a guide.
Related – Want to see more Outlander news? Check out our new show perspectives series!
Now, flash-forward many years later. Outlander season 4 will be premiering on Starz later this year. These episodes will feature another new phase of Jamie and Claire’s lives as the two are definitely not in Scotland anymore. Yet, rest assured that the country will still have a major role to play in the story coming up.
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