After eight seasons of wearing period costumes in Outlander, Caitríona Balfe was ready for a change. But when the actress was offered a role in a new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, the beautiful script and talented cast proved too tempting to resist.
Balfe, best known for playing Claire Fraser in the hit historical drama, stars as Mrs. Dashwood in the upcoming film directed by Georgia Oakley. Although returning to corsets wasn’t exactly what she had in mind, the project ultimately became a memorable experience.
“It was so lovely,” Balfe told Today’s Dylan Dreyer about working on the film. “We had a wonderful director Georgia Oakley. When they first approached me, I was, maybe not rushing to be back in a corset. Real clothes would be nice but it was such a beautiful script by Diana Reid and just the cast that Georgia had gotten together, it was a beautiful time.”
Why Caitríona Balfe Said Yes to ‘Sense and Sensibility’
For eight seasons, Balfe inhabited the world of Outlander, bringing Claire Fraser to life through decades of romance, danger and historical upheaval. Her new role takes her into another beloved literary world, this time based on Jane Austen’s first novel.
Sense and Sensibility follows the Dashwood family after the death of their father forces the widowed Mrs. Dashwood and her three daughters to leave their family estate. Their half-brother refuses to share his inheritance, leaving them to move to a modest cottage on a distant relative’s property in Devon.
Balfe plays the girls’ mother, while Daisy Edgar-Jones portrays Elinor, Esmé Creed-Miles plays Marianne and Bodhi Rae Breathnach takes on the role of Margaret. As the two eldest sisters navigate love and heartbreak, the story explores relationships, family loyalty and the challenges of growing up.
For Balfe, the appeal of Austen’s work lies in its ability to connect with audiences across generations.
“I think these classic texts are filled with these universal themes that every single generation can come to and meet them where they are,” Balfe told Craig Melvin. “It’s that idea of first love, that yearning, the ups and downs of all of that and the sisterly bonds that you see with all of the beautiful Dashwood girls. I think every single generation has their own approach to it and their own response to it that keeps them relevant.”
The ‘Outlander’ Star Even Tried Her Hand at Sewing
Balfe also revealed that her work on Sense and Sensibility involved learning a few new skills behind the scenes.
Speaking with Al Roker, the actress joked about making handkerchiefs for her on-screen daughters.
“I picked up some skills,” she says. “I made all of the girls some really bad handkerchiefs. It was definitely the thought that counted.”
The admission offers a lighter glimpse into Balfe’s experience on the film, which brings another classic literary story to the screen with a new cast and creative team.
Caitríona Balfe’s Next Role Is a Disney Queen
Following Sense and Sensibility, Balfe is preparing for another major period-inspired project, although this time she’ll be stepping into the world of Disney fantasy.
The actress will play Queen Arianna in the live-action remake of Tangled, based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Rapunzel. The story follows Rapunzel, played by Teagan Croft, a young princess with magical long hair who has spent her life locked away in a tower by Mother Gothel, portrayed by Kathryn Hahn.
Rapunzel’s chance to escape arrives on her 18th birthday when a handsome thief, Flynn Rider (Milo Manheim), enters her life and takes her on an adventure to see the kingdom’s floating lanterns.
Balfe admitted that the role has a special meaning for her family, particularly her five-year-old son, who is already a fan of the animated film.
“For my 5-year-old [son], it is a big deal,” Balfe shared. “Any time you get to be a queen, it’s pretty good. I watched the cartoon version with him and he was obsessed with it.”
The live-action Tangled is scheduled to arrive in 2028, while Sense and Sensibility will open in theaters on October 16.
For Balfe, the two projects represent another exciting chapter after her long run on Outlander — from returning to the corsets of a classic period drama to becoming royalty in a Disney fairy tale.