EXCLUSIVE: Caitríona Balfe is set to join the ensemble of Apple Original Films upcoming pic Tenzing, which already stars Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe. Jennifer Peedom is directing the film. Peedom has a close relationship with the Tenzing family and the Sherpa community following her acclaimed documentary, Sherpa.
Oscar-winning producer See-Saw Films (The King’s Speech) is producing Tenzing, about the inspirational life of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and his summit of Mount Everest in 1953 alongside fellow outsider New Zealander Edmund Hillary. Balfe will play ‘Jill Henderson,’ a friend of Tenzing who helped organize trips up Mount Everest.
Tibetan born Tenzing Norgay, alongside New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary, both outsiders on a British Expedition, defied insurmountable odds to achieve what was once thought impossible, reaching the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest. After six previous attempts, Tenzing risked everything for one final venture. He had to navigate treacherous politics and perilous weather as he embarked on the most significant climb of his life. Through it all, he did so with humor, warmth, and generosity towards his fellow climbers, but also deep reverence and respect for the sacred Mother Goddess of his Mountain, Jomolungma.
Script comes from Oscar-nominated Luke Davies (Lion) and producers are Liz Watts, Emile Sherman and Iain Canning for See-Saw Films, alongside Desray Armstrong, Jennifer Peedom and Luke Davies. Executive producers are Simon Gillis, David Michôd and Norbu Tenzing.
Best known for her role as Claire Fraser in the hit Starz series Outlander Balfe currently co-stars alongside Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, and Laurence Fishburne in 20th Century thriller The Amateur, an espionage thriller film directed by James Hawes and written by Gary Spinelli, based on the 1981 novel of the same name by Robert Littell. The film was released in theaters on April 11, 2025.
In 2024, Balfe starred opposite Orlando Bloom in the boxing drama The Cut, directed by Sean Ellis. The film follows a retired boxer who returns to the ring for one last shot at the title as he embarks on an intensive and illegal weight cut program with an unscrupulous trainer. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2024.
As for her sit series, Balfe’s portrayal of ‘Claire Fraser’ has received critical acclaim in which she most recently received a Critics Choice Award nomination for her performance in Season 7 Part 2 of Outlander, which premiered on STARZ on Nov 22, 2024.
She is repped by WME, Emptage Hallett (UK), Cognition and Jackoway Tyerman, Wertheimer.
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