SOPHIE SKELTON IS ‘LUCKY’ TO PLAY A ‘SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT VERSION’ OF BRIANNA EACH SEASON ON ‘OUTLANDER’

SOPHIE SKELTON IS ‘LUCKY’ TO PLAY A ‘SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT VERSION’ OF BRIANNA EACH SEASON ON ‘OUTLANDER’
Sophie Skelton is living the dream by playing Brianna on Outlander — unlike other shows, the actress’ character time travels and evolves over each season.

“We’re really lucky. The show has done really well, and I think my favorite thing is to play a character who not only spends different time periods but also different ages. I have played Brianna from 16 to her mid and late 20s — that is really cool,” the 28-year-old exclusively tells GRAZIA USA. “Each season I get to play a slightly different Brianna and that’s not something you usually get to do. When you’re on something for that long, it can get a bit monotonous, and actually for me, she is totally different every time we see her. You’ve seen her grow up, so it’s cool.”

The show, which premiered on Starz in 2015, is adapted from the best-selling books by Diana Gabaldon and stars Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall, a married military nurse in Scotland who, in 1945, finds herself transported back in time to 1743.

When season 6 premiered in March, Skelton shares that it was a fun change-up to play an older version of Brianna, who is the second daughter of Claire and Jamie Fraser (played by Sam Heughan). “I love this season. It was this settled version, and she is finding her feet as a young mother, and I think she really comes into her own,” the Hollywood starlet says. “I think it’s good for young women to have a voice because Brianna doesn’t always know how to behave. Sometimes she is too loud or moody, and it’s like sometimes we’re all like that, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I hope she can be a beacon of hope for young women.”

Though the brunette babe absolutely adores being on set, she notes that the costumes can be quite restricting — especially the corset. “With the corsets, you get bruises around your waist!” she admits. “Probably the most uncomfortable is when Brianna was pregnant and then you have a corset because those fake pregnancy bumps are not comfortable — they get can get sweaty.

As for how she takes her mind off the garment, she says, “Eat everything you can before you put it on because once it’s on, everything just sits there. I kind of give myself a pep talk!”

But, she adds, “I love the fact that the clothes really shape what the character does because they are all totally different. Even in the throwbacks, something Brianna is wearing might be reflective of what Jamie had on at one point. It’s really special because it keeps that close-knit family feel.”

Working with Balfe and Heughan is the cherry on top of it all, as she has become very close with her costars. “They are two of my best friends now,” she points out. “They are so funny. They have guided me a lot in terms of acting and allowing me to have a bit of a voice if something doesn’t feel right. They’re always championing me, and they care about the cast and crew. It’s really lovely having them on set.”

Skelton enjoyed season 6 because more of the cast got to film together, as opposed to prior seasons. “I love those scenes,” she gushes. “I think if follow more of the books next season, it will focus on the MacKenzie family, which will be a really fun and different dynamic to explore.”

The show has taken off, but Skelton shares that her life hasn’t changed too much in the past few years. “The fans are so respectful and sweet. It’s lovely because it reminds you, ‘This is why we do what we do.’ You see how happy it is making people. That’s one of my favorite things — you realize how much it means to people and how magical it is.”

But when the U.K. native comes to the U.S., she shares that she gets recognized a lot more. “I guess fame has changed me as I now keep my personal life personal,” she says.

Hopefully, the end of Outlander is nowhere in sight, but regardless, Skelton, who dressed like Brianna at the season 6 premiere, always shares a special connection to Brianna. “I feel very close to the character,” she notes. “That is why I wanted to wear a suit because I was thinking it’s fun for the fans to have a little nod to Brianna. I love when everything relates!”

Ultimately, Skelton is grateful for being a part of this show, and she hopes that Brianna can show others that “you don’t always have to fit into the norm, you can be a little unorthodox in your personality and in your actions,” she states. “I think we can champion women. I think women seeing Brianna make the most out of a bad situation is helpful, and she is so much stronger than she is given credit for.”