After bidding farewell to her beloved character Claire Fraser in Outlander, Caitriona Balfe is set to embark on a new adventure with her latest role.
The Irish star has graced our screens for a decade as the time-travelling heroine alongside Sam Heughan’s Jamie Fraser in the hit Starz series, which is approaching its final season.
Having wrapped up the eighth season last year, Balfe didn’t waste any time diving into new projects, starring alongside Rami Malek in the Hollywood thriller The Amateur, which premiered in cinemas just last month.
Balfe’s next venture sees her joining the stellar lineup of Apple Original Films’ Tenzing, a biopic chronicling the life of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, famed for his historic Everest ascent in 1953.
Under the direction of Jennifer Peedom, who has previously explored the same theme in her documentary Sherpa, the film also stars Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe as Edmund Hillary and Colonel John Hunt, respectively, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
In this highly anticipated film, Balfe will portray Jill Henderson, a friend of Tenzing who played a pivotal role in organising expeditions to Mount Everest.
Deadline provides a glimpse into the storyline: “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 the Oscar-winning production house See-Saw Films, famed for The King’s Speech, with the script being crafted by Oscar-nominated writer Luke Davies, known for Lion.
Outlander star Balfe’s fans keen to follow her beyond the show can revisit her acclaimed performance in Kenneth Branagh’s period piece Belfast, which earned her both a Golden Globe and a BAFTA nomination.
Additionally, she has shared the screen with Hollywood greats Christian Bale in the blockbuster Le Mans ’66 (Ford v Ferrari), Orlando Bloom in The Cut, and worked alongside George Clooney and Julia Roberts in Money Monster.
Hot on the heels of Outlander’s gripping seventh season finale this past January, fans are eagerly awaiting the final chapter.
The series’ eighth season will be drawn from Diana Gabaldon’s eighth book, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, incorporating elements from Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone.
Gabaldon has also just announced that the 10th and concluding book of her acclaimed series will bear the title A Blessing for a Warrior Going Out.
Outlander is available to stream on MGM+ via Prime Video.