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Outlander's Caitriona Balfe teases her 'sumptuous' new Jane Austen period drama
Reach Daily Express | March 28, 2026 11:39 PM CST

Outlander actress Caitríona Balfe has revealed details about her upcoming period drama that's ideal for fans seeking to bridge the gap after the fantasy series concludes permanently, reports the Daily Record.

During a recent event in London, the 46 year old star discussed the conclusion of Outlander, which is presently broadcasting, alongside her new ventures.

The Dublin-born Balfe will portray matriarch Mrs Dashwood in the upcoming adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, which features an impressive cast including Normal People's Daisy Edgar-Jones, Killing Eve's Fiona Shaw, George MacKay and Esmé Creed-Miles.

Discussing her work on Sense and Sensibility, Balfe informed media, including the publishers of the Daily Record, Reach Plc: "That was incredible."

Paradoxically, she disclosed how she'd previously informed her agent: "I'm not doing period dramas anymore. Don't come to me with anything that's got a corset." Nevertheless, she couldn't resist the opportunity to feature in the film directed by acclaimed Blue Jean director Georgia Oakley.

"I feel like I've been so lucky with the people I get to work with," Balfe remarked.

Discussing Oakley's interpretation of the cherished Austen novel, Balfe stated: "She is somebody who had a very clear vision of what she wants to do.

"And that to me is the thing that will always make me want to say yes: being led by somebody who's an artist. And she is, she's a real artist." During a meeting with Oakley, Balfe questioned why she wished to produce a fresh adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, considering the Oscar-winning triumph of the 1995 film helmed by Ang Lee and featuring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant.

Lee's picture received nominations for numerous accolades, including seven Oscar nods, with lead star and screenwriter Thompson claiming the prize in the Best Writing category.

Balfe praised Lee's rendition of Sense and Sensibility as "so amazing". She continued: "But [Oakley] had this really new, fresh take on it and I think the great thing about these great, classic texts is that every generation comes to it with their own perspective.

"And so they meet at a different place and have a different understanding of what that means to them."

The film has been shot on traditional film rather than digitally, and Balfe revealed she'd viewed a sizzle reel, describing the forthcoming release as "sumptuous in a different way" to Lee's version.

Sense and Sensibility is set to hit screens in September this year, following the loves and fortunes of the Dashwood sisters Elinor (Edgar-Jones) and Marianne (Creed-Miles), whose contrasting personalities lead to vastly different outcomes for each of them.

The actress is additionally set to feature in The Housekeeper, Tenzing and A Long Winter, the latter of which stars The Bear's Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Heartstopper actor Kit Connor.

Outlander season 8 airs on Starz in the USA on Fridays and on MGM+ via Prime Video in the UK on Saturdays


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