The seventh season of Starz’s historical fantasy epic Outlander ended on a cliffhanger, with Claire (Caitríona Balfe) telling Jamie (Sam Heughan) that she believed their daughter Faith, long thought to be stillborn, actually survived.
This suspicion was confirmed in the first episode of Season 8. Jamie and Claire learn that not only did Faith survive, but she also grew up and had two daughters of her own—one of whom is Fanny (Florrie May Wilkinson), the young girl rescued from destitution by Jamie’s son, William, and later entrusted to Claire and Jamie’s care. While Jamie and Claire still don’t know how Faith was raised, a man confesses to having killed her at sea—a confession Claire answers with her knife.
This revelation marks a departure from Diana Gabaldon’s original Outlander novels, to which the Starz series has otherwise been largely faithful, and it has shaken both fans and the cast. “It’s really sad, because you find out that there was this whole other life that could have been lived,” Balfe told Vogue in a joint interview with Heughan from London. “And then to only find out after she’s already gone is really tough. As an actor, you’re trying to understand where that grief sits, because the grief over losing a child never leaves you. To then add a new layer to it… it was hard to find.” Turning to Heughan, she added, “But you’re amazing in that scene.”
“I think when we first read it, we were like, ‘What? How can this be?’” Heughan recalled. “And I still don’t know if I know the truth. But Florrie just imbued it with so much.”
This week’s episode, titled “Prophecies,” brought a different kind of twist, marking Balfe’s directorial debut. It was a challenging episode to helm: not only was it densely plotted—featuring a birth, a funeral, and a wedding—with Claire in most scenes, but it also included a bear, which was added to the story just three days before filming (the cougar originally wanted was no longer available).
Heughan was full of praise for the result. “She’s why there are some really strong performances in this episode,” he said, addressing Balfe directly. “Everyone’s amazing, and you’re the conduit to that.”
“Caitríona was thrown into the deep end,” Sophie Skelton, who has played Claire and Jamie’s daughter Brianna since Season 2, told Vogue. “They say kids and animals are hard to work with, and she got a big ol’ handful of both.”
Skelton continued, “It’s always wonderful to have an actor’s director, but Caitríona is on another level. Not only does she know these characters better than most, but she also has such a quiet empathy and air of security about her. It wouldn’t have been out of the ordinary for some people to treat having one of our own in the director’s seat like a school snow day, but she has such a warm authority and is so loved and respected that everyone was just rooting for her. I felt so proud of her.”
Next week’s episode, titled “Abies Fraseri,” sees Claire and Jamie revisiting a past point of contention. Last season, when Jamie was presumed dead at sea, his best friend Lord John Grey—who harbors a not-so-secret admiration for him—married Claire to protect her from being imprisoned as an English spy. Grief-stricken and under the influence of alcohol, Lord John and Claire later slept together.
When it was later revealed that Jamie had not died, Lord John confessed the incident to him, turning what should have been a joyous reunion between Jamie and Claire into a tense and painful moment. Eventually, the couple seemed to move past it—or so Claire thought. Now, that moment between Lord John and Claire is set to resurface.This season, she and Jamie confront the issue head-on. (The scene echoes Season 1’s “The Reckoning”—not just the argument, but the intense reconciliation that followed.) Both Balfe and Heughan enjoyed that dynamic exchange and believe Jamie and Claire are at their best in such moments. “It’s because it’s not make or break, is it? Their relationship isn’t over,” Heughan observes.
“And there’s no fear of it being over,” Balfe adds. “I think it’s completely understandable that Jamie is still upset about this. It’s almost funny—Claire is like, ‘I’m so over this.'”
As for their personal take on Lord John and Claire’s indiscretion? Balfe shares, “I think it’s one of the most bizarre things that’s happened in the show!”
“There have been a few bizarre things,” Heughan responds.
“Well, for Claire, very bizarre,” Balfe clarifies. “Look, I suppose we’ve all been in strange situations, haven’t we?”
Balfe and Heughan filmed several endings together, but as of the Season 8 premiere in New York, neither had seen the final cut. They hope to eventually watch it with their fellow cast members. “Caitríona did mention us having a watch party, but I’m not quite sure how we’ll manage it since we’re all working or in different places,” Heughan noted. “But we’ll have to document it, won’t we? Maybe we’ll find a way to all get together.”
At that same premiere, Outlander author Diana Gabaldon shared that she had already seen the finale—but hinted that her own ending for Jamie and Claire’s story will be even better. (The tenth and final book in the series, A Blessing for a Warrior, is still to be released.) Two great Outlander endings? That sounds like the best of both worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Caitríona Balfe Sam Heughan on Directing a Series Finale Party
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q1 Who are Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan
A They are the lead actors on the hit TV series Outlander playing Claire Fraser and Jamie Fraser respectively
Q2 What did Caitríona Balfe direct
A She directed an episode of Outlander for the first time The specific episode is from the later part of the series
Q3 Why is it a big deal that she directed an episode
A Its a significant step in her career moving from in front of the camera to behind it It shows her growth as a filmmaker and her deep understanding of the Outlander story and characters
Q4 What did they say about a series finale viewing party
A Sam Heughan joked that they should all watch the final episode together in Scotland suggesting it would be an emotional and celebratory event for the cast and crew
Advanced Detailed Questions
Q5 What was Caitríonas experience like directing for the first time on Outlander
A She described it as challenging but incredibly rewarding She felt wellsupported by the crew and emphasized the unique perspective of directing her fellow cast members having acted alongside them for years
Q6 Did Sam Heughan act in the episode she directed
A Yes he did Both actors have mentioned that it was a unique and interesting dynamic for Sam to take direction from his longtime costar
Q7 What were some of the specific challenges Balfe faced as a firsttime director
A While not an exhaustive list common challenges for actordirectors include managing the immense responsibility the logistical pace of TV production and shifting the mindset from performing to overseeing the entire creative vision of an episode
Q8 What ideas did they toss around for the finale party
A The main idea was a gathering in Scotland likely at a place meaningful to the cast They hinted it would be less of a wild party and more of a reflective possibly tearful shared experience to mark the end of a huge chapter in their lives