‘Outlander’ Stars Sam Heughan, Caitriona Balfe Appear Virtually At Convention After Cancellations

Fans at a New Jersey “Outlander” convention received some bad news this weekend. The show’s biggest stars, Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe, were unable to attend, but the actors didn’t let the convention pass without making a virtual appearance.

The Jame and Claire actors each did a video chat with fans at Creation Entertainment’s “Outlander” Convention in Secaucus, New Jersey. Heughan teased that “Outlander” Season 4 has some beautiful locations, but he didn’t give away much about the new season, according to fan reports on social media. Balfe was equally tight-lipped, but she mentioned that she loves her scenes with Brianna actress Sophie Skelton.

Both actors were very apologetic about the cancellation on social media. Though they had been announced as guests months ago, filming commitments come before cons. Balfe and Heughan had shooting schedules that couldn’t be moved.

Production on Heughan’s new movie, “Bloodshot,” is starting in South Africa. It seems he couldn’t be made available, and even if he was, he may have had some issues getting into the U.S.

“In response to comments re NJ, fully understand disappointment,” he wrote on Twitter. “I was excited to attend when I signed up but then got new movie offer. We asked for them to clear dates but due to various changes it has been unavoidable. I also have no passport at present due to visa office.”

Balfe was equally apologetic. She told fans that the cancellation wasn’t announced until the day before the convention because she was hoping something could be worked out until the last minute.

“I haven’t said anything prior to this as up to 3am last night I was still trying to see if there was some way I could make it work,” she wrote on Twitter along with several apologies. “Unfortunately our shooting schedule changed so that I was needed late last night and wouldn’t have made any flights to NJ and also made it back for Monday morning. I fully understand the effort (financially and otherwise) that all fans make in coming to conventions and it isn’t something I take lightly. Unfortunately, schedule changes are beyond our control and I feel terrible not to be there.”

Both Heughan and Balfe are on hiatus after “Outlander” Season 4 wrapped earlier this year. Heughan is filming the action movie “Bloodshot,” a comic book adaptation, alongside Vin Diesel. Balfe, meanwhile, scored a role alongside Christian Bale in a drama about Ford setting out to build a new car to beat Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans World Championship. The film still doesn’t have a title.

The shooting conflicts also affected Wizard World Chicago later this month. Balfe will still make it on Thursday, Aug. 23, but Heughan had to cancel his appearance. Much like the New Jersey convention, the “Spy Who Dumped Me” star will make a virtual appearance via webcam.

“Outlander” Season 4 premieres on Starz on Sunday, Nov. 4.