“When you have a kid, you become really protective. I don’t want those crazies — because that’s what they are — I just don’t want them talking about him,” Balfe shared candidly during the interview. The actress highlighted how she had received troubling feedback from certain individuals who questioned the legitimacy of her marriage to Tony McGill, even going so far as to contact the church where they wed.

Since announcing her son’s birth on Instagram, Balfe noted the joy she felt but also recognized the dark side of fame. After taking time off social media to fully embrace motherhood, she posted about her son, expressing joy and gratitude, saying, “I’m in awe of him already and can’t help stare and wonder at all the possibilities of who he will become, where he will go and what he’ll do on the big adventure of his life. Right now, he seems so small and fragile…”.

While Balfe celebrated her son, she lamented the fascination fans have with her and co-star Sam Heughan, who portrays her husband Jamie Fraser on the show. Fans have often speculated about their off-screen relationship, even leading to incidents where private investigators attempted to dig up personal information linking the actors outside their professional roles. Balfe emphasized the need for personal boundaries, explaining, “It’s not like I was hiding my pregnancy. Everybody at work knew, all of my friends knew… But in terms of putting [that] out there, I don’t see the value in it.”

Heughan himself weighed in on the situation during various interviews, affectionately categorizing their relationship. “We’re like brother and sister now — we know each other really well as we’ve been working together for six years, which is just crazy,” he said. Their long-standing partnership has created camaraderie, making the fans’ shipping of their characters all the more surprising to both actors.

Balfe has consistently corroborated Heughan’s sentiments, praising him as more than just a co-star. “Sam’s just so kind. He’s a really good friend… I feel very lucky. Sam and I have an amazing bond, we’re really great friends.” This friendship has developed over the years of working closely, and both actors have expressed how this bond is strictly platonic.

The outpouring of support Balfe sometimes receives juxtaposes with harsh criticism from fans, highlighting the complex relationship celebrities have with their audience. Her frustration is understandable; much of her work on Outlander relies on fans connecting with the characters, yet this has manifested in unwanted scrutiny. “It’s sad, because you meet the loveliest people who are fans of the show and they’re super supportive and they do the nicest things — and then you have this little thing, which just taints it,” she reflected, recognizing how the negativity can overshadow the positive experiences with fans.

With the airing of Outlander Season 7 on the horizon, the delicate balance between celebrating the show’s achievements and maintaining privacy is more important than ever for Balfe. The actress remains dedicated to her role as Claire, but she insists on protecting her identity as Caitriona, the mother and wife. Fans can look forward to the new season, but also should appreciate the boundaries stars like Balfe strive to uphold.

While Balfe continues to navigate her life as both a public figure and a private individual, she emphasizes the joy of motherhood against the backdrop of her successful career. To her, family will always come first, and balancing fame with the natural instincts to protect one’s loved ones is key. With several new episodes on the way, both Balfe and Heughan appear set to return to the screens, but perhaps with renewed focus on personal boundaries and respect for their private lives.