Caitriona Balfe Joins Cast of Tenzing Biopic After Outlander

Dublin, Ireland

Caitriona Balfe is moving on to new roles following her iconic performance as Claire Fraser in the hit Starz series Outlander. The Irish actress has joined the cast of Apple Original Films’ upcoming biopic titled Tenzing, which explores the life of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who was pivotal in the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953.

Balfe, who has portrayed Claire Fraser alongside Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser for nearly a decade, confirmed her participation in this new project after completing filming for Outlander’s eighth season last year. In addition to Tenzing, she recently starred with Rami Malek in the Hollywood thriller The Amateur, which was released in cinemas last month.

Tenzing will be directed by Jennifer Peedom, who previously directed the documentary Sherpa, focusing on the same historical subject. The film will also feature actors Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe, portraying New Zealand explorer Edmund Hillary and English expedition leader Colonel John Hunt, respectively.

In the biopic, Balfe plays Jill Henderson, a friend of Tenzing who played a crucial role in organizing the Mount Everest summits. The film’s synopsis reveals that Tenzing Norgay, born in Tibet, together with Hillary, faced significant challenges to achieve what they believed to be impossible, reaching the top of the world’s highest peak. It emphasizes Tenzing’s journey through numerous previous attempts, treacherous weather, and intricate political landscapes.

The film will be produced by See-Saw Films, an Oscar-winning production company known for films like The King’s Speech. The screenplay is being crafted by Luke Davies, an Oscar nominee for Lion.

Balfe’s departure from Outlander leaves fans eagerly awaiting the show’s final season. This eighth installment will adapt Diana Gabaldon’s eighth installment, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, along with elements from her ninth book, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. Gabaldon also recently announced the title of her tenth and final book in the series, A Blessing for a Warrior Going Out.

Meanwhile, fans can catch Balfe in the theater and anticipate the upcoming release of Tenzing.