"Outlander" star Sam Heughan has faced many trials on set over the series' ten-year run. Playing the rugged Highlander Jamie Fraser, Heughan's character endures countless physical and emotional challenges. Recently, Heughan shared insights into his most difficult moments during filming, and surprisingly, it wasn’t the intense season one finale that topped his list.
During a Vanity Fair game designed to test how well he and co-star Caitriona Balfe know each other, Heughan disclosed his "worst experience" on set. The conversation turned lively as Balfe, who plays Claire Fraser, guessed, “Was it being stuck on the boat with no toilet or food for a full day?” Heughan laughed and confirmed, “That was pretty horrific.”
However, Heughan's ultimate grievance was more mundane. “But the worst, I think it’s just general, I’d say midges,” he confessed. For those unfamiliar, midges are tiny, almost invisible biting gnats prevalent in the Scottish Highlands where "Outlander" is filmed. “They get into your hair, under your costumes,” Balfe added, with Heughan nodding, “Under your wig.”
Heughan did acknowledge the difficulty of filming the season one finale, where his character is tortured and raped by the sadistic Captain Black Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies). The emotionally grueling scenes left a lasting impact on both Heughan and the show's audience. “I’d say the most challenging was the end, the ep [episode] in season one,” Heughan admitted, reflecting on the harrowing shoot.
The cast and crew of "Outlander" are currently enduring the midge-infested Scottish Highlands once again, filming for the highly anticipated eighth and final season. Although an official release date hasn’t been announced, fans can expect the final episodes to air in mid-to-late 2025. As Heughan and Balfe navigate these last filming days, their shared experiences and camaraderie shine through, promising a memorable conclusion to the beloved series.
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