‘Outlander’ Star Sam Heughan Claims Season 5 is the Toughest One Yet

Droughtlander is officially over. The epic time travel drama Outlander has finally kicked off season 5 more than one year after the season 4 finale. Leading couple Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) and Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall Fraser) are back with even more passion and romance, and their chemistry continues to light up the screen. But Heughan is warning fans that season 5 is going to be the toughest one yet.

Season 5 has more steamy scenes than season 4

The epic love story between Jamie and Claire is why Outlander has such a passionate fan base, and Heughan says that season 5 will have more “love scenes” than the previous season.

“There are definitely more love scenes in this season, and they are … lovely,” Heughan told the Scottish Sun. “The show is a global success and that is down to the fact it’s a love story. I think that in one way or another, we are all looking for a relationship that is supportive and no matter where that person goes, you’re always there with them. Outlander is a great love story.”

The chemistry between Heughan and Balfe has been obvious to fans from day one, but Outlander producers witnessed it in advance. Heughan was cast months before they started filming, but producers were struggling to find the right Claire.

Three weeks before they started filming season 1, Balfe finally got the chance to screen test with Heughan. Showrunner Ron Moore admitted that the chemistry between the actors is what “sealed the deal” for Balfe.

Moore explained that they kept the camera running after the test was over so they could see the two actors more relaxed and naturally interacting with each other. He says there was enough spontaneity, genuine affection, and good humor between them that “spoke volumes about their potential relationship.”

‘Outlander’ is all about family in season 5

Outlander fans saw the family grow when Brianna Randall (Sophie Skelton) and Roger MacKenzie (Richard Rankin) prepared for their wedding at Fraser’s Ridge. Heughan told The Hollywood Reporter that season 5 is “all about the extended family” now that Jamie and Claire have laid the foundation. After they built Fraser’s Ridge in North Carolina, the settlement has started to grow bigger.

Unfortunately, says Heughan, they are at a volatile point in American history, and Jamie is “now being pitched against his godfather and having to take sides.” Jamie also knows that he’s on the losing side of the Revolutionary War, and that’s one of the many storylines fans have to look forward to.

Heughan believes what makes Outlander interesting is that the characters in the story aren’t stuck in the same location. Instead, everyone is growing and changing, and the relationships evolve throughout the seasons.

He says that Jamie is growing and becoming a lot more like his Uncle Colum, and during this season he has to play a lot of different people in different times.

“He’s got a lot of balls up in the air and he’s juggling constantly,” says Heughan.

Jamie and Claire face even tougher challenges in season 5

The new season kicked off with Brianna and Roger tying the knot in a traditional Scottish wedding, which Balfe described as a “lovely opening episode.” However, the hints were everywhere that the American Revolution was coming.

Even though things are “very cozy and comfortable and all is well,” Balfe says that doesn’t last very long. Viewers have already witnessed a brutal tarring and feathering scene thanks to Murtagh’s (Duncan Lacroix) new role with the Regulators, and that’s just the beginning.

Yes, season 5 of Outlander will have more romance and love scenes than season 4. But, on the flip side, the Frasers will also face their most difficult obstacles.

“Every season, every episode there’s always a challenge. This season is no exception, it might be the toughest season yet,” said Heughan.

The storyline for season 5 is based on Diana Gabaldon’s longest book in the Outlander series, The Fiery Cross. Jamie and Claire’s relationship will be tested as he deals with the Revolutionary War and she stretches her medical knowledge as far as possible.

Even though season 5 will be difficult, viewers might find it to be the best one yet. New episodes of Outlander air Sunday nights on Starz.