Season 4 of Outlander sets the stage for big things, as Claire and Jamie are finally back together again. The two's reunification creates a lot of changes, some that actress Caitriona Balfe had to adjust to ahead of the new episodes. Balfe explained a major change to Claire in Season 4, and how viewers will see her character change in the upcoming episodes:
In many ways Claire's function is very much the wife and the homemaker this season. That is very different from the character that we've seen throughout the seasons before. I struggled with that a little bit in the beginning. Is this the same woman? What are we doing? How are we portraying this woman?
Caitriona Balfe said that Claire is living that domestic life in Outlander Season 4, which prompted her to examine whether this is the same character she's played in the past. Being a housewife on a plantation may not be the most exciting occupation Claire has held in the series, although one would think the character won't be transformed all that much by playing housewife. Balfe didn't specify what conclusion she came to and whether Claire was the same or changed ahead of Season 4, although book readers can probably already figure out how she'll play her character in the upcoming episodes.
One thing Caitriona Balfe said that hasn't changed is Claire's stubbornness, as she told EW she and Jamie will butt heads at points over various things. One source of this tension might be tied to the fact that Claire's time with Jamie is at the cost of being separated from Brianna, who is in the future. That aside, Balfe said that this is perhaps the most in sync the two of them had been, which makes it sound as though any conflict between them won't happen often.
Caitriona Balfe hinted a lot of the two's synchronicity is linked to the stability and calmness of staying at Aunt Jocasta's plantation, although that calm could be short-lived. Sam Heughan noted that Jamie is not a fan of Jocasta's politics or the slave trade in general, which obviously is not an opinion someone owning a plantation would like to hear. Balfe admitted there are "trials and tribulations," for the two to face in the upcoming episodes, but said that overall Season 4 of Outlander is much more hopeful than season's passed.
Outlander returns to Starz for Season 4 Sunday, November 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET. For a look at what else is coming to television in November or this fall season in general, be sure to visit and bookmark our handy fall premiere guide.
