Caitríona Balfe suggested a change to a Claire and Laoghaire scene
Outlander star Caitríona Balfe influenced a pivotal scene involving her character Claire Fraser and nemesis Laoghaire MacKenzie, portrayed by Nell Hudson, reports the Daily Record.
The charged encounter unfolded as Claire and Laoghaire crossed paths again unexpectedly at Beaufort Castle following Claire’s narrow escape from being executed as a witch, an event Laoghaire played a role in orchestrating.
Showrunner Ronald D. Moore alongside screenwriter Anne Kenney revealed how Balfe proposed that Claire should not “unleash” on Laoghaire, saying it wasn’t true to the character’s nature.
Balfe and Kenney concurred that Claire would handle the reunion in a far more subdued manner, and their input was reflected in the final version of the episode titled The Fox’s Lair.
Moore recounted: “A lot of discussion about how this first encounter was going to go down. I was actually advocating a much tougher response from Claire. I really wanted Claire to go at her.”
He also shared his original notion: “But my initial impulse was Claire is taken by surprise, she sees Laoghaire, and she has thought about it on some level, the fantasy in her mind, ‘If I ever see Laoghaire again, what would I do?'”.
“And then caught unawares, Laoghaire comes and she would just unleash on her.”
Moore further expounded: “Then I think you and I know Cait all felt, well that’s not Claire and wanted to play it a little cooler and hold back a little more. It’s probably the right decision in the show.”
Moore has shared in the Official Outlander podcast that the actors often contribute their insights regarding their characters’ reactions, with the production team incorporating their feedback into the series.
Kenney revealed, “I wrote a version of that scene and ended up really liking it. It’s funny how that happens too.”
She also noted the need for a shift in Claire’s response, stating, “What we came to after everything Claire’s been through, Laoghaire is such small potatoes.”
Kenney continued, explaining the rationale behind the alteration: “After everything in Paris and losing the baby and all that.”
Moore joined in the conversation, questioning the depth of Claire’s anger: “That was the big thing that swayed it. Really in the scheme of things, is she really that mad at Laoghaire?”.
Despite a low-key initial encounter following the witch trial, it remained certain that Claire and Laoghaire would always conflict over Jamie Fraser (played by Sam Heughan).
Season seven thankfully reveals Jamie and Laoghaire making peace as he assists his former spouse in remarrying for her own happily ever after.
He extends his help further by aiding Joan MacKimmie (portrayed by Layla Burns) in pursuing her religious calling as a nun and ensuring the financial well-being of Laoghaire and her kin.