Outlander star Caitriona Balfe has landed a major new role beyond her iconic portrayal of time-travelling Claire Fraser.

The acclaimed Irish actress shot to fame following her debut in the opening series of the popular Starz drama over a decade ago in 2014.

Twelve years later, devoted fans eagerly anticipate her return alongside Sam Heughan as Claire’s Highland warrior husband Jamie Fraser in the sweeping period drama’s final chapter.

Ahead of Outlander’s last series premiering on Friday, 6th March, Balfe is already lining up her next projects and her latest, a period thriller film set in Cornwall, looks set to be unmissable viewing.

The Claire Fraser actress has been confirmed as joining the star-studded cast of The Housekeeper, adapted from the forthcoming short story by bestselling author Rose Tremain, reports the Scottish Daily Express, reports the Express.

Outlander star joins A-list cast of ‘incredible’ new period drama(Image: GETTY)

Balfe announced the news by sharing the update on her Instagram, writing in the caption: “I am really excited to be a part of this special project – The Housekeeper directed by Richard Eyre, based on the novel by Rose Tremain alongside @anthonyhopkins , Helena Bonham Carter and @emmalaird …. Still pinching myself!!!!”

Her co-star Heughan showed his support in the comments: “Incredible project!” Director Richard Eyre, known for The Children Act, will helm the production from a screenplay penned by Tremain herself, with filming set to kick off on 9th February.

Joining Balfe in the cast are esteemed British actors Helena Bonham Carter, of Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials fame, and Anthony Hopkins, renowned for his role in The Father. The Housekeeper will also star Emma Laird, who gained recognition for her standout performance in Taylor Sheridan’s Mayor of Kingstown and the post-apocalyptic thriller 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, currently showing in cinemas.

According to Deadline, the plot summary for the upcoming film reads: “Set against the wild, brooding landscape of Cornwall, Danni (Balfe) is the housekeeper at Manderville Hall, a grand historic house owned by the wealthy and widowed Lord Grenville-Whithers (Hopkins).

“When the young writer Daphne du Maurier (Laird) arrives, Danni is drawn into a clandestine and intoxicating affair. For one, it is an all-consuming love; for the other, an awakening of long-suppressed desires.

“Their fragile secret threatens to unravel under the watchful gaze of Adelaide (Bonham Carter), Lord Grenville-Whithers’ calculating niece.”

The celebrated author du Maurier garnered acclaim for novels such as Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel, with the upcoming production seemingly drawing from her signature blend of high society, intrigue, and scandal.

The eighth and final season of Outlander is premiering in March(Image: STARZ)

In a statement, director Eyre remarked: “Rose Tremain has written a brilliant screenplay which is dark and surprising and mysterious, and we look forward to making a film which lives up to its promise.”

Producer Julia Taylor-Stanley from Artemis Films added: “Assembling a cast of such calibre speaks to the power of Rose’s storytelling, and to Richard’s standing amongst the great British directors.

“We are excited to be working with our talent on bringing this compelling story to the screen.”