Outlander Season 7 Part 2 has us in stitches! We sat down with Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe in a roundtable interview to talk about Jamie & Claire’s growth. They also discussed the challenges the two face in Season 7, Part 2 and the legacy they leave behind. Ready?
Here we go!
The return to Lallybroch in Outlander Season 7 Part 2
One of the most special moments in Outlander Season 7 Part 2 is the return to Lallybroch, the ancestral home of the Frasers. For Caitriona Balfe, this location is not only a space full of history in the series but also a fundamental place in the evolution of her character, Claire.
Talking about Lallybroch immediately brings us back to the moment when Claire shares her secret with her family. Balfe reflected on how that revelation shook the relationship between Claire and Jenny: “When there are secrets between people, it prevents them from fully connecting. For Claire and Jenny, this revelation meant being able to close that shift between them regarding their relationship and friendship. It was wonderful to return to that place where so much has happened for the characters.”
For his part, Sam Heughan highlighted the meaning of Lallybroch for Jamie and the emotional impact of returning to a place that defines so much of who he is. “Jamie has always wanted to return. Although his home is now in America, returning to Lallybroch allows him to reconnect with his family and close important chapters. However, things didn’t go as he expected, as there were many relationships he needed to resolve before he could move forward.”
Both actors agree that filming at Lallybroch is a gift for both them and viewers. According to Heughan, the scenes in Scotland capture the essence of Jamie’s character while also allowing fans to reconnect with the roots of the story.
MORE: Explore more about Lallybroch and family reunions in our exclusive interview with Kristin Atherton and Steven Cree.
Beyond the Wedding: The Importance of Marriage
At another point in the interview, a more personal topic was raised: the importance of marriage versus the spectacle of a wedding. This led Caitriona Balfe to reflect on the social pressure around modern weddings and how Claire, with her history of weddings and complex relationships, would have advised a young woman about prioritizing marriage over the event.
“Modern weddings have gotten out of hand. “It shouldn’t cost as much as a house to have a wedding,” Balfe said, with a mix of humor and sincerity. The conversation quickly turned playful when Heughan mentioned Roger and Brianna’s wedding on the show, pointing out that even that celebration reflected the emotional focus over the material. Balfe added that, in her experience, someone gave her a valuable piece of advice that resonated both in her life and in her portrayal of Claire: “Don’t make your wedding about your past, make it about your future. I thought that was a beautiful message.”
The dynamic between the actors was evident when Heughan humorously interrupted to point out how “Outlander” that phrase sounded, generating a moment of laughter between the two. However, Balfe returned to seriousness to conclude that, for her, a wedding should be a celebration of the beginning of a new stage: “Marriage is what matters. The party is not everything, but what you build after.”
MORE: We also talked to John Bell & Izzy Meikle-Small about Ian and Rachel’s Journey in Outlander Season 7.
Outlander‘s Legacy According to Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe
After this relaxed moment, nostalgia took over, and, after more than a decade of playing Jamie and Claire Fraser in Outlander, Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe face the challenge of saying goodbye to two characters who have become an extension of themselves. Playing two such iconic characters for more than a decade not only requires dedication but also a deep emotional connection.
Caitriona Balfe acknowledged that Claire has influenced who she is today: “When I think about who I was at the beginning of this series and who I am now, part of that change has to do with Claire, but also with leading this project alongside Sam and assuming everything that implies. Claire has given me a lot of confidence and has even inspired me to use my voice. Some might say perhaps too much, but who would say that?” she said with a laugh.
Sam Heughan shared similar sentiments, explaining that the line between him and Jamie has blurred over the years: “It’s hard to completely separate ourselves from the characters, and we’re in the process of doing that now, which sounds like a bit of a…”
Balfe chimed in humorously: “existential crisis?”
“Yeah,” Heughan replied with a laugh, “because you realize you’re saying goodbye to someone you’ve lived with for so long. I think it’s going to take me years to really understand everything Jamie has taught me, but I’ve certainly gained confidence, and experience and grown with him. Plus, he’s given me an incredible relationship, one I never thought I’d have.”
MORE: Check out our interview with Maril Davis & Matthew B. Roberts!
The Evolution of Jamie & Claire in Outlander Season 7 Part 2
From their first meeting to the most recent events in Outlander Season 7 Part 2, Jamie and Claire’s relationship has gone through countless trials and transformations. Including brushes with death, as happened in Outlander Season 7 Episode 15.
Balfe explained how this journey has shaped the couple, as “they’ve been through so many trials and tribulations, and they’ve learned a lot about each other. Over time, those harsher personality traits have softened a bit, and their understanding of each other has grown. However, when they’re separated, as happens in season 7B, we see that they’re both more capable of moving on without each other, but we know that nothing good really happens when they’re apart. When they finally meet again, there’s a lot of friction because, sometimes, we act from a place of old wounds.”
Heughan also reflected on how the years have changed the couple’s dynamic: “In the early seasons, Jamie and Claire were very intense, with arguments that felt like ‘will they work it out or not? ’ Now they’ve moved past that. They can still argue, but it doesn’t put their relationship at risk anymore. They’ve reached a point where their bond is deeper and more mature. When they’re finally apart and Jamie comes back, that’s a really dramatic moment for them to work through. Until then, we see how much their relationship has grown and matured.”
With eleven years of history on Outlander, Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe have not only brought Jamie and Claire to life but have evolved alongside them. The series has not only been an epic journey for the characters but also for the actors, who carry with them the lessons and experiences that this adventure has left them with. As Balfe noted, “It’s definitely been the role of a lifetime,” and both she and Heughan acknowledge that it will take years to fully understand the impact of this experience, not only on their careers but also on who they are.
MORE: What did Charles Vandervaart say about William’s discovery in Outlander Season 7?
Jamie & Claire’s Most Complicated Moment
When discussing the most shocking recent moments from Outlander Season 7 Part 2, Balfe and Heughan reflected on what they thought of the particularly intense moment between Claire and Jamie in Outlander Season 7 Episode 12. Balfe admitted, “When I read the first version of the script, I was like, ‘We can’t do this..’ I felt very defensive of Claire and we worked closely with the writers to find the best way to tell this beautiful but complicated story based on the books. It’s a difficult moment to digest.”
Heughan, for his part, highlighted how surprising Jamie’s reaction was to him: “I didn’t expect him to be so violent. I thought he would be more understanding, but at the end of the day, he’s a flawed human being. He has pride and darkness within him, and that makes him interesting.”
MORE: Take a look at our exclusive interview with Lotte Verbeek about Geillis Duncan’s return.
The Past in Outlander Season 7 Part 2
One of the most distinct moments in Outlander Season 7 Part 2 compared to previous seasons involves Roger MacKenzie, who, instead of arriving at the period he expected, ends up interacting with someone unexpected: Jamie Fraser’s father.
Sam Heughan explained how this unexpected connection adds a new layer to the story, as “it’s a cool moment, the way they’ve done it. Roger knocks on the door at Lallybroch expecting Jamie to open it, but he finds his father instead. It’s a disconcerting situation for him. He has to think fast and adapt. What’s interesting is why he was sent to that period, what the consequences were, and where everyone was at that time. I think Jamie is in France at that point.”
Caitriona Balfe highlighted how this plot twist amplifies the use of time travel in this season because “normally, time travel is a smaller part of the narrative, but this time it has a much more prominent role. This leads to fascinating questions about what changes someone can make by traveling back in time and what the ripple effects of those actions are.”
MORE: Read this interview where we talked to Richard Rankin & Diarmaid Murtagh about Roger and Buck.
Exploring Characters Beyond the Books
Throughout seven seasons of Outlander, the writers have taken certain liberties with the source material, something Sam and Caitriona acknowledge as an inevitable challenge when adapting such a rich and sprawling saga. “There have been moments or elements that we’ve left out,” Heughan admitted. “Sometimes I wish we’d done more or gone a little further from the books, but adapting such a dense series of novels into hour-long episodes is almost impossible. We probably could have done 20 seasons.”
Balfe added that despite the limitations, the final seasons have tried to stay true to the spirit of the books: “I think especially in these last few seasons, there’s been an attempt to follow the books closely, but there’s always been a need to tell our own story. And that’s the exciting thing about television, finding the balance between faithfulness to the source material and narrative that works on screen.”
Heughan also reflected on the future of the Outlander universe, referring to the spin-off Outlander: Blood of My Blood, which will explore the Frasers’ story without the direct backing of the books: “It will be interesting to see how they handle that new show, as they don’t have any books to follow. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities.”
MORE: Are you curious about Outlander: Blood of My Blood? Check it out the first look!
Claire’s Double Responsibilities
Likewise, Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe shared their thoughts on the dilemmas their characters face. As a time traveler with advanced medical knowledge, Claire has been a crucial figure in almost every season. But is it fair for others to expect her to be some kind of universal savior?
Caitriona Balfe reflected on this constant pressure: “I think Claire feels like she should be able to do more. It’s frustrating for her not to have the tools, the medications, or even enough knowledge to solve all the problems she faces. Although she comes equipped with impressive skills, even doctors today rely on books and the internet. They don’t have an encyclopedic memory of everything. And Claire is no different.”
Sam Heughan humorously added: “I don’t think she’s done enough. And neither does my daughter! They could have done so much more.”
Claire’s relationship with history is also a constant source of conflict. Balfe commented on the gaps in her historical knowledge: “I think what’s fun about the character is that she has a general idea of historical events, but she doesn’t always know the details. There are moments where you think, ‘Claire if only you’d paid a little more attention in class…’”
Despite these limitations, Heughan highlighted Claire’s impressive handling of her situation: “Her knowledge of history, for a non-historian, is pretty impressive.”
MORE: Check out our exclusive interview with Sophie Skelton about Brianna’s Evolution.
The Inevitable Call of War in Outlander Season 7 Part 2
Throughout Outlander, Jamie and Claire have tried to avoid getting caught up in the historical events that shape the world around them. However, as Heughan noted, it seems that fate always drags them back into the middle of the conflict, as we see in the latest episode. “They’ve tried to change history, to avoid it, but it always finds them. This season is no exception. The War of Independence is about to break out, and though they try to stay out of it, they are inevitably drawn into the heart of events. It’s quite dramatic,” Heughan explains.
The tension between Jamie and Claire’s personal decisions and the weight of historical events is one of the pillars that continues to drive the narrative of Outlander. Balfe added: “It’s fascinating to see how their personal relationships and historical conflicts run in parallel, creating a balance between intimate drama and the magnitude of the events they face.”
And she’s absolutely right because, after all, in addition to their love story, Claire’s constant struggle to help those around her, while carrying the expectations as a time traveler, along with Jamie’s resilience amid historical turbulence, encapsulates the spirit of Outlander. What happened in the last episode is just a taste of it, but the best thing is that there is still more to come because, definitely, that wasn’t the end.
Outlander Season 7B airs on Fridays at 8:00 PM ET/PT on STARZ.
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