Outlander's Caitriona Balfe has opened up about being "broke" and "jobless" before booking onto the hit Starz fantasy drama.
Balfe, 42, has found huge success in the TV franchise after she made the decision to switch from her ' miserable' modelling career to acting.
But, at the beginning of her acting career things weren't always going smooth sailing for the Irish beauty.
Speaking to the Observer, she opened up on the months before landing her role as Claire Fraser in the fantasy drama alongside Sam Heughan.
“It was a total crapshoot,” says Balfe.
“I had done a few jobs, nothing of note really. I was living in LA and I was really struggling, actually, it was about four or five months since I’d had a job.”
For Outlander, Caitriona taped a few auditions but didn't hear anything so went ahead and booked a holiday with her pals to India.
But as luck would have it, she heard back from producers in the Indian Embassy and was told she needed to get to London immediately for a final screen test.
And the rest is all history.
“So I signed on for six seasons at that point,” she continued.
“I mean, you’re broke, you’ve got nothing else going on. My lawyer was like, ‘You do realise this is shooting in Scotland? You’ll be there for a year for the first season?’
"I was like, ‘A year’s great, a change of scenery, I’m not doing much in LA anyway.’ Yeah, I didn’t realise I’d still be there almost eight and a half years later.”
Fans loved Caitriona's candid interview and took to social media to praise the star.
One wrote: "One my favorites! I loved you in Belfast,which is a movie that completely resonated with me. And your performance as Claire in the Outlander Season 5 finale has helped me so much in my life. Thank you for the research and effort you put into your roles. You're a true inspiration"
"This is beautiful! So happy for you that the world has opened up to you. Everyone learning what all us fans have loved for years! #BalfeNation," said another.
Another said: "I was happy that I could order this magazine. I have been trying to find the Vanity Fair issue with you on the cover,but it is not in any stores and I cannot seem to find where I can order that single copy. You look so beautiful and I want to read more about you and the articles."
"Excited to read this interview, gorgeous cover shot!" one user gushed.
Someone else replied: "Great interview Caitriona! Loved reading about your journey to this great time for you! You deserve it all…it’s not luck…it’s your hard work, brilliance, humility and pure talent! Stay grounded…there’s so much more ahead!!!"
"Looking flawless as always! The article looks very interesting as well, I will be on the look out for this issue !" one fan wrote.
Caitriona will be back on our screens as Claire Fraser when Outlander premieres later this year on March 6.
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