Outlander’s Sam Heughan: Secret Romances, Rumors & Why He’s Still Single at 43

When heartthrob Sam Heughan (a.k.a. Jamie Fraser from Outlander) first graced our screens, the first question on everyone’s lips was, ‘Who is he?’

That was followed by, ‘Is he single?’

Heughan has kept a relatively low profile about his love life, keeping romantic interests out of the public spotlight. Yet, over time, a few paramours have been clear, from actress Amy Sheils to model Monika Clarke.

Did Sam Heughan And Caitriona Balfe Have A Relationship?

Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe dating rumours have been around for years. — *(Credit: Image: Getty)* *(Credit: Image: Getty)*

Sam Heughan has worked with Irish actress and model Caitriona Balfe on Outlander for nearly a decade now, so it’s only fair that fans have often theorised about their relationship online.

Given the two play wildly-in-love couple Claire and Jamie Fraser in the series, and their chemistry on screen is so palpable, many wondered if there wasn’t something going on behind closed doors.

However, the two co-stars have always maintained that they are just friends, and almost best friends at that. The pair attended the 2023 Austin Television Festival together, with Balfe explaining that when the show started they decided to always have “each other’s backs” and it’s been like that ever since.

“We like to be very prepared and focused, but then, we like to have a lot of fun. We like to not take ourselves too seriously even though we take the work seriously,” she said.

She added, “As our lives have gotten more complicated and busy, we may not see each other as much as we used to, but that core and that friendship and that base that we have has never changed.”

Balfe married her now-husband, business magnate and music producer Tony McGill back in 2019.

Are Sam Heughan And Jessica De Gouw Dating?

Rumours about Sam Heughan dating Australian actress Jessica De Gouw began after he shared some very sweet photos on Instagram. The pair star in British series The Couple Next Door, alongside Alfred Enoch and Eleanor Tomlinson, as married couple Danny and Becka Whitwell. But this really is just a rumour, as De Gouw is in a long-term relationship with hairstylist Sophie Roberts.

Does ‘Outlander’ Heart-Throb Sam Heughan Have A Girlfriend?

Despite his romances, in 2023 the Love Again star said his life was not unlike his character in the movie (looking for love). Heughan is single once again and, despite having an on-screen wife (and swoon-worthy marriage) in Outlander, he has never married. So far, Sam Heughan has maintained his space as one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors.

And yes, he is looking. In an interview with People, Heughan opened up about his search for love.

“I’ve done all of the gift-giving and turning up when least expected, but, so far, I’m still looking,” he said in May 2023. As he’s often in Scotland (up to 10 months a year) and travelling for work, finding ‘The One’ can be tough.

Here, we count down this hunky Scottish man’s relationship history, in the hope that he will eventually find his ‘Claire’.

Monika Clarke (2022)

Monica Clarke was rumoured to be dating Sam Heughan in 2022. — *(Credit: Image: Getty)* *(Credit: Image: Getty)*

In 2022, Heughan got cosy with model Monika Clarke, grabbing lunch at a café in New York and even putting his arm around the brunette. They were seen “packing on the PDA”, according to Us Weekly. However, come 2023, he declared that he was still single.

Amy Shiels (2018-2021)

Sam Heughan and Amy Shiels didn't publicly confirm their relationship but she's believed to have been his girlfriend between 2018 and 2021. — *(Credit: Image: Getty)* *(Credit: Image: Getty)*

US Weekly confirmed in 2018 that Heughan was dating Twin Peaks actress Amy Shiels, although neither openly confirmed the union at the time. The Irish actress did come close though, liking a tweet that said she and Heughan make a “beautiful couple” like “Brangelina”. Shiels was spotted at the premiere for his movie The Spy Who Dumped Me.

Mackenzie Mauzy (2016-2018)

Sam Heughan and Mackenzie Mauzy were seen together several times between 2016 and 2018. — *(Credit: Image: Getty)* *(Credit: Image: Getty)*

Marie Claire first reported Mauzy and Heughan’s connection, when they attended an Oscar party together in 2017. Mauzy, an actress on The Bold And The Beautiful, was also papped with Heughan’s arm around her on multiple occasions while out in New York City.

However, Mauzy appears to have a new love, having married lacrosse player Scott Ratliff.

Cody Kennedy (2014-2015)

Cody Kennedy is thought to have been Sam Heughan's girlfriend for a few months in 2014. — *(Credit: Image: Instagram)* *(Credit: Image: Instagram)*

It’s alleged that Sam Heughan dated actress, writer and model Cody Kennedy for a four months in 2014, but not much is known about their union. Kennedy once posted that Scottish men were better than American men, which was believed to be in relation to Heughan’s Scottish roots.