Cumbernauld-shot series now has its leading lady

Outlander which is being partially shot in the former Isola plant in Westfield has already seen Dumfries-born actor Sam Heughan cast as the male lead.

Producers had not revealed who would play the principal female role but it’s now emerged that an Irish model- turned- actress is their choice.

Caitriona Balfe (34) will play Claire Randall who is the heroine of the seven book series that is being adapted for television.

Executive producer Ronald D Moore admitted: “Caitriona wasn’t on anybody’s list but when we saw her audition tape , we immediately knew she was someone special. Then, after we had her read with Sam we know we’d found our Claire. At its heart Outlander is the story of two people, their loves and losses their adventures and tragedies and now we have them both.’’

Filming of the time travel romance is set to get underway this month.

The first two episodes will be directed by Breaking Bad and Dexter director John Dahl.