Caitriona Balfe: Claire is “destabilized” in Outlander season 6

Outlander star Caitriona Balfe has had a busy few years, what with getting involved with Oscar-nominated movies like Ford v Ferrari in between hanging out with Jamie in the 18th century. Her upcoming film Belfast is getting quite a bit of buzz as well, and we won’t be surprised to see it on the award circuit next year.

And speaking of next year, we will finally be getting the sixth season of Outlander. Due to COVID-19 production delays, the Droughtlander lasted a bit longer than we would have liked, but it’s okay because we’re almost there!

While Balfe is hitting the press circuit to promote Belfast, she’s getting tons of questions about the upcoming sixth season. After such a long wait, we want to know what’s going to happen, what the characters will be going through, and what dangers lie ahead for the Fraser family, and Balfe was willing to answer some questions during an interview with Variety!

There are tough times ahead on Outlander season 6

It was previously announced that Outlander season 6 will only have eight episodes, which is a lot shorter than the average season. But never fear, the seventh season will have a total of 16 episodes so it will more than make up for this shortened run!

“It’s a bit of a truncated season, but it’s very…there’s a lot going on,” Balfe said. “There’s some new people that arrive at the Ridge and they really kind of throw things into disarray.” She’s referring to the Christie family, who will be moving onto Fraser’s Ridge and causing quite the ruckus. The patriarch is Tom Christie (Mark Lewis Jones) who first met Jamie (Sam Heughan) back in Ardsmuir Prison. Their reunion will not be pleasant.

But how with this season go for Clair specifically? “For Claire, it’s a really cool season, actually,” Balfe said. “You’re gonna see Claire destabilized in a way that we’ve never really seen her before. And a lot of that has to do with the repercussions of what happened at the end of last season.” Claire indeed has a lot to process following the horrific sexual assault she endured at the end of season 5.

Jamie Fraser must “straddle a couple of different political lines” in Outlander season 6

There’s also a lot going on with Jamie this season. “He’s trying to straddle a couple of different political lines, so he’s, on one hand, trying to placate the British, but also he knows that the British are gonna lose the war, so he doesn’t want to be caught on the wrong side,” Balfe said. “Sam [Heughan] has some amazing work and I think everyone’s gonna be excited.”

Heck yes, we are! I simply can’t wait to see how this season comes together and fills the Outlander-shaped void in our lives.

Season 6 will air sometime in early 2022, so check back here for updates on a premiere date and much more!

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Get HBO, Starz, Showtime, and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels

h/t TV Insider