This series has so many intense and intimate scenes, and fans have long wondered what it's like to be an actor or actress on the set of Outlander. Now that the show has made it to its fifth season - hopefully, with a storyline that has won fans over once again - the cast and crew have revealed what it's been like to work on such a challenging and demanding set.
From real-life weather conditions (many scenes are shot out in nature) to how it feels to work so closely with other actors, they've covered it all, including some surprising BTS tidbits.
While not everything is sunshine and rainbows on the set of Outlander, one thing that's for sure is the chemistry between the cast members...and not just between Claire and Jamie. A little good-natured humor and patience go a long way, and the cast has plenty of interesting things to say about that.
13 Caitriona Balfe, Who Plays Claire, Claims The Period-Accurate Costumes Help Her Get Into Character
Those familiar with the show know that those corsets are not just for looks. The female lead knows all too well just how restrictive they can be - she has said that this is one of the things that allows her to get into character - the restrictive nature of the corset reflects the restrictions placed on women during that time period.
12 Sam Heughan Believes The Show Has A Unisex Appeal To Audiences
The audience for Outlander isn't defined by gender, and Heughan, who plays the role of Jamie, claims he's not completely surprised. One thing fans might not know about the actor is that he does have some opinions about the show. In an interview with Elle, Heughan said that the show has more than just racy scenes - it also has violence, so there's lot of different types of action for every type of viewer.
11 Diana Gabaldon Made A Cameo On The Show And Had Some Interesting Things To Say
It's not unusual for the writer of a book-turned-TV-show to appear on set (just ask Stephen King), but Gabaldon definitely had some interesting things to say after her time spent on the show. She played the role of Iona MacTavish and wrote all about it on her website afterward.
10 Balfe And Heughan Had Instant Chemistry
The crew of the show will be the first to admit how challenging it was to find the right person to play the role of Claire. Just when they were at their wit's end and starting to sweat, Caitriona Balfe came into the picture. As soon as she and Heughan were on set together, the connection was undeniable.
9 Despite Balfe's First Scene Being So Intense, She Drew Excitement From The Experience
The first episode of Outlander was not a G-rated show by any means. Balfe admits that it was an intense scene to shoot, but one that she drew excitement from, rather than nerves. This excitement is what helped propel her forward, through the chaos.
8 Richard Rankin Enjoyed Driving The Crew Crazy With His Constant Singing
Anyone who has seen interviews with Richard Rankin - who is indeed a skilled musician in real life - will have undoubtedly noted his contagious sense of humor. It's this same humor that kept him practicing his debut song on the set, despite pleas from the crew to stop. This was something he found quite amusing.
7 Tim Downie "Relished" Playing Such A Twisted Antagonist
Tim Downie plays an interesting character in Outlander and it's one that many love to hate. His role as Governor William Tryon was based on a real historical figure, and when asked about playing the role during an interview with EW, Downie responded by calling his character "the devil incarnate". He said it was "fun" to play someone so "Machiavellian and twisted."
6 Heughan Was So In Shape During Filming That He Ran Two Marathons In Four Weeks
This shouldn't come as a surprise, but it's a tribute to the sheer amount of work the cast members commit to on-set. Heughan had no hesitations when it came to running not one, but two, marathons while filming season four of the show, and he even beat his own personal best.
5 The Famed Wedding Night Took Five Days To Shoot
Not every scene is one and done, especially not scenes that require a decent amount of intimacy and choreography, such as Jamie and Claire's wedding night. This scene alone, from start to finish, took five days, according to director Anna Foster. She shared this insight in an interview with Marie Claire.
4 Every Intimate Scene Is Strictly Choreographed, Down To Hair Movements
Not one thing is left to chance when it comes to perfecting these scenes. Everything the fans see has been choreographed down to each movement, no matter how small, so that it looks and feels as real as it can be. This results in longer filming times, but stunning scenes when it's all over.
