Starz's Outlander Casts Its Lead Claire

Irish actress Caitriona Balfe has been cast in the lead role of Starz's upcoming dramaOutlander, the network announced on Wednesday.

Based on a seven-book series by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander follows the story of Claire Randall (Balfe), a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. In her new life, Claire is forced to marry a Scottish warrior (Sam Heughan), leading to an affair of the heart.

Outlander adds Game of Thrones alum

"The moment Caitriona Balfe came on screen, I sat up straight and said, 'There she is!'" Gabaldon said in a statement about the casting news. "She and Sam Heughan absolutely lit up the screen with fireworks."

Battlestar Galactica's Ron Moore will write and executive-produce the series with Jim Kohlberg and will begin filming in Scotland this fall with the premiere slated for 2014.

Balfe can be seen next in Escape Plan with Arnold Schwarznegger and Sylvester Stallone

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