You both have always said you have each other’s backs. Any examples of that? How do you balance each other on set? I feel you have different temperaments.
Balfe: [Laughs.] Yes, I pop off. Sam stays calm.
Heughan: It’s been complementary. I felt weirdly protective of you from episode one. Then seeing you flourish into being the strong Claire that you are… that’s always been part of Jamie, as well, to protect. I don’t know whether that was the character or me, but it works really well. I can also guide her in a direction to then have her energy…. [He mimics something being shot off.]
Balfe: Sam likes to stir. If he wants something to happen or doesn’t like something, he’ll just whisper, “Oh, yeah, you should say something,” And then, because I’m an idiot…
Heughan: No, not at all. You’re a person of action. But, you know, this one’s trouble—always corpsing. We have a silly sense of humor, and sometimes that was my downfall. We’re very lucky.
Balfe: I think our friendship is probably one of the things I’m the proudest of from the whole show. [They hug.] It’s true. We’re both competitive people, but we’re not competitive with each other. And we’ve always made sure to talk to each other.
Heughan: We were in the show for over a decade. Whether it was on set or off set, we both went through stuff in our personal lives. Caitríona would instantly know if there was something going on. In those moments, she was there for me and would protect me in some ways, way more than she needed to…like an older sister.
Balfe: Really? So cheeky. Only six months. One time I really took one for the team. You got a message that upset you on set, and I jumped up and yelled, “I have to go to the toilet!” Everyone was like, “Does she have diarrhea?” I let everyone think I had that for you.
Heughan: Did you? So nice!
Let’s talk about the future. You both have said, about an Outlander movie, “Never say never.” Has one actually been discussed?
Heughan: No.
Balfe: Not with me, no.
Diana is working on finishing book 10. Would you two consider voicing the audiobook?
Balfe: It’s so iconic. Davina Porter, who did it before, was so synonymous with the series.
Heughan: Well, they’ve just done one. Kristen [Atherton, who played Jenny in Season 7] took over. But it would be nice to hear everyone’s voices and be back together again.
Balfe: Wouldn’t have to wear a corset. You could do all the acting in your pajamas.
Caitríona, how has Sam changed and grown as an actor over the years? Did you get to see his recent production of Macbeth?
Balfe: I did get to see him in Macbeth, and he was amazing.
Heughan: So nice you came.