Caitríona Balfe on her weirdest fan moment and emotional farewell to Outlander after 12 years

Caitríona Balfe has lifted the lid on her most unusual fan interaction — one that unfolded in rather alarming circumstances.

The Outlander star, 46, spoke exclusively to PEOPLE at a Sony Pictures Television FYC event in Hollywood, California, on 6 May 2026, where she recounted the memorable episode involving a medical professional with a flair for musical timing.

"I think my weirdest one was an anesthesiologist who decided to start singing the theme tune to me as she was putting me under. That was a lot. She's supposed to be keeping me alive," the actress recalled.

Twenty tears and twelve years on set

The Irish-born actress went on to reflect on the experience of filming the eighth and final series of the beloved fantasy romance, which first aired in 2014 and co-stars Scottish actor Sam Heughan.

"I cried like 20 times this season," Balfe said. "I was like, 'Wait, I just can't stop being emotional.' I mean, it was like this has been a humongous part of both of our lives, and everybody on the show has been a huge team … to be on something long. It's been like 12 years."

Taking home a piece of the show

Balfe also revealed which mementoes from the set she held on to as keepsakes once production wrapped.

"I got a vase, and also I asked for my rings, and I got my rings … I feel like if I've gone through that many marriages [in the show], I deserve the hardware," she said.

An emotionally taxing nine months

Balfe had previously opened up to PEOPLE about how difficult it was to say farewell to the series, disclosing that she opted to take a period of rest once the final series had wrapped.

"It was an emotionally taxing nine months," she said of the production, adding that she and Heughan, also 46, "felt so much responsibility to make it right, and everything felt heightened."

Cast members found their own ways to decompress

In the aftermath of the final shoot, each member of the cast sought their own means of processing the experience.

"We all went and did something right after," Balfe said. "I went off and did a retreat, and [Heughan] went and climbed the Himalayas. Sophie [Skelton] went to Africa, Richard [Rankin] learned how to fly. I think we all had that initial ... I wouldn't say exorcist, but it's like that [process] of releasing it."

She continued: "All of us took some time off as well. Because I think you do — well, at least for me, I'll speak for myself — but I wanted to process it and I wanted to honor the experience of the character by letting it go, in a healthy way."

Balfe added: "I don't know, I think you can maybe make yourself a bit mad sometimes if you don't sit in the experience for a while."

The final series of Outlander is currently available to stream on the Starz app and a number of other streaming platforms.