‘Outlander’ Star Caitriona Balfe Opens Up About Sex Scenes With Sam Heughan, Plus, What Are Her Emmy Chances?

There are a lot of elements that have made Outlander a huge success for Starz. Apart from the intriguing storylines, time travel, and all the gore and violence, the show has taken a very interesting approach to how it handles sex.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Outlander star Caitriona Balfe explained how important sex is to her character, both physically and mentally.

“Ron [D. Moore, the show’s creator] was adamant from our very first meeting that Claire is a sexual woman, and that’s a big part of her character — it’s not something she shies away from,” Balfe shared. “But if we’re going to have sex on the show or violence, it’s going to tell a story. It’s going to be there for a reason. And we all fight very hard to make sure that it’s kept that way.”

Although the series has included a gratuitous amount of sex scenes — three in one episode last season — the show blazed new territory in its second season with Claire’s pregnancy.

While most shows shy away from showing pregnant women having sex, Outlander jumped at the opportunity to include a scene with Claire’s baby bump.

“Yeah, we loved that scene! Sam and I fought to keep the belly bump in…” Balfe said. “And why don’t you see that in a sex scene? Why should that be taboo? You see so many boobs all over the bloody TV. It’s the one safe space for them in this time where they’re kind of estranged from each other, and they’ve been struggling with their intimacy… I think it’s a very sexy thing.”

Unfortunately, Claire’s pregnancy ended horribly after her baby was stillborn.

According to Gold Derby, the episode that featured the miscarriage, titled “Faith,” includes a scene that might be Balfe’s official Emmy submission.

In speaking about the heartbreaking scene, Balfe explained how she really dove into the character and felt like she needed to dig deep for the emotional moment.

“The writing was so beautiful. I definitely had the swollen, puffy eyes for a few days, but you want to do right by the character, and you want to do right by the storyline, so it’s about buckling down and focusing for a while,” Balfe revealed.

Caitriona Balfe shared her comments during the opening of “The Artistry of Outlander” costume exhibit in Beverly Hills. Balfe’s co-star Sam Heughan was also in attendance, as well as costume designer Terry Dresbach, Jon Gary Steele, Moore, and Maril Davis.

Based on her performance throughout this season of Outlander, Carter Matt is reporting that Balfe is in the running for an Emmy nomination. Balfe is up for the category of Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series and has some serious competition.

Other leading ladies that are in the running for a nomination include Shiri Appleby from UnReal, Eva Green from Penny Dreadful, Mariska Hargitay from Law & Order: SVU, and Taraji P. Henson from Empire.

Whether or not Balfe takes home the main prize is yet to be seen.

Meanwhile, International Business Times reports that Outlander has officially been renewed for two more seasons.

Season 3 will be based on Diana Gabaldon’s book, Voyager, while Season 4 will be an adaption from Gabaldon’s Drums of Autumn.

“I guess it really is a happy #WorldOutlanderday!!!” Balfe wrote on Twitter. “3 & 4!!!! Happy now????”

Of course, an Outlander‘s renewal didn’t come as a surprise to fans. After all, the show has become one of Starz’s most successful dramas to date.

“Like we were in any doubt?” Gabaldon posted on Twitter. “#GREATnews #MoreOutlander.”

The current season of Outlander airs Saturday nights on Starz.

Tell us! Do you think Caitriona Balfe deserves an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Claire Fraser on Outlander? Let us know in the comments section below.

[Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images]