‘Outlander’ Star Sam Heughan Says His Career Comes Before His Love Life

After playing Jamie Fraser on “Outlander,” it’s safe to say that Sam Heughan definitely has women who’d happily volunteer to date him. However, the Scottish actor revealed that romance isn’t a top priority right now.

“Certainly, relationships are hard when you’re working in Scotland 10 months a year,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, noting the long “Outlander” filming schedule. “I travel a lot and any downtime I have, I’m trying to do other projects, so very much, my career comes first. Maybe I will find someone eventually.”

Though he is embarking on his fifth season on the Starz time travel drama, he noted that his strong work ethic started long before he started playing Jamie.

“My whole career, not just ‘Outlander’ but as an actor, I have always put that first. It’s hard when you travel a lot. My priority has been my career, so that’s where I am at the moment. But I am sure at some point, I will get knocked off my feet, then I’m screwed,” he laughed.

Maybe he should ask his onscreen wife about balancing work and romance. After all, Caitriona Balfe, who plays Claire on “Outlander,” managed to find some time for falling in love. She married her longtime boyfriend Antony “Tony” McGill last year.

It’s easy to see why Heughan is busy, though. He’s currently on a press tour for “Outlander” Season 5, which premieres Feb. 16. It won’t be long before he starts promoting the comic book adaptation “Bloodshot,” due in theaters in March. He also recently wrapped a couple of film projects, with an action flick called “SAS: Red Notice” and “An Unquiet Life,” in which he plays Paul Newman.

Outside of acting, Heughan filmed a nonfiction show about Scotland called “Clan Lands” with Graham McTavish that is expected to debut this year. He runs a fitness program called My Peak Challenge, and he’s launching his own whisky, Sassenach Spirits.