Watch Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe’s steamy first Outlander screen test
By Amy Kaplan
Watch one of the first never before seen on-screen tests between Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe, which will be featured on the Outlander season 3 collector Blu-Ray DVD’s.
If there was any doubt in your mind that the chemistry between Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe) was real, this recently released first screen test will set all those doubts aside. The heat between the two leading actors in Starz hit show Outlander is apparent in just a few seconds.
Sony Pictures Entertainment teased the never before seen footage to YouTube in hopes of promoting the additional features that will be included on Season 3’s DVD once it is released.
The pair is acting out the incredibly emotional scene after Claire is rescued from Black Jack Randall. Jamie is explaining to Claire what it felt like to rescue her from the man, who he had such a troubled past with. This is also the moment where many fans believe Claire finally admits her strong feelings for Jamie.
I dare you to not get chills.
At this point in the development the show had already cast the part of Jamie and were leaning towards Balfe as Claire, but final casting had not been decided yet, this scene was her final audition for the part.
The chemistry between Balfe and Heughan is unmistakable.
Towards the end of the clip, after the scene is over you see the pair awkwardly chatting with each other; perfect strangers at this point and it’s remarkable to see how far they have come and how rich their off-screen friendship really is now that they’ve grown used to each other.
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“We were looking for chemistry between the two characters,” said Outlander executive producer Ronald D. Moore. “We really felt that Cat was probably going to be the one, but this was the final moment. This was literally when she sealed the deal and got the show.”
The Season 3 Blu-Ray collector DVD is set to be released on April 10. Premiere dates for Season 4 have yet to be announced.