Caitriona Balfe has landed her next major film role after wrapping up production on the eighth and final season of Outlander
Outlander star Caitriona Balfe has already found her next project after saying goodbye to her iconic role as time-traveller Claire Fraser.
The Irish actress has starred opposite Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser on the epic Starz drama for the past 10 years, with just one more season left to air to conclude the saga.
Since wrapping up filming for season eight last year, she has already starred in Hollywood thriller The Amateur with Rami Malek, which hit cinemas last month.
Balfe has now been confirmed to join the cast of Apple Original Films’ upcoming biopic Tenzing, about the life of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay who led the first successful summit of Mount Everest in 1953.
Directed by Jennifer Peedom, who previously made the documentary Sherpa on the same subject, Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe were previously confirmed to be portraying New Zealand explorer Edmund Hillary and English expedition leader Colonel John Hunt, respectively.
The Outlander star has been cast as Jill Henderson, Tenzing’s friend who helped organise Mount Everest summits.
A synopsis for the film, per Deadline, reads: “Tibetan born Tenzing Norgay, alongside New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary, both outsiders on a British Expedition, defied insurmountable odds to achieve what was once thought impossible, reaching the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest.
“After six previous attempts, Tenzing risked everything for one final venture. He had to navigate treacherous politics and perilous weather as he embarked on the most significant climb of his life.
“Through it all, he did so with humour, warmth, and generosity towards his fellow climbers, but also deep reverence and respect for the sacred Mother Goddess of his Mountain, Jomolungma.”
The film is being produced by Oscar-winning production company See-Saw Films, known for The King’s Speech, while Oscar nominee Luke Davies (Lion) is penning the script.
For fans of Balfe’s work on Outlander who want to check out her other big screen roles, she was previously nominated for both a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for her performance in Kenneth Branagh’s acclaimed period drama Belfast.
She has also starred opposite Christian Bale in Le Mans ’66 (Ford v Ferrari), Orlando Bloom in The Cut and George Clooney and Julia Roberts in Money Monster.
Following the conclusion of Outlander’s thrilling seventh season this past January, fans have just one instalment left to look forward to.
The eighth outing will be based on Diana Gabaldon’s eighth book in the series, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, as well as parts of Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone.
Author Gabaldon has also just confirmed the 10th and final book in her bestselling series will be titled A Blessing for a Warrior Going Out.