Exploring The Love Life Of Sam Heughan: A Closer Look At The Outlander Star

Actor Sam Heughan rose to prominence in 2014 when he took on the role of the beloved Jamie Fraser in the time-travelling STARZ drama Outlander. Fans have since become enthralled with the Scottish soldier character, obsessing over his on-screen romance with co-star Caitriona Balfe and loving the handsome leading man in all his glory.

Due to this obsession, fans often wonder: is Sam courting a lovely lady in real life? Below we break down the love life and romantic history of the UK native, a man who tends to remain somewhat of a mystery.

Not Currently Linked to Anyone Specific

Sam is notoriously private about his personal life and hasn’t shared much specific information about his relationships or who he has dated in the past. He has commented about the challenges of balancing a personal life with a demanding career in acting.

“Certainly, relationships are hard when you’re working in Scotland 10 months a year,” he told the Inquirer in 2020 ahead of season five of the show. “I travel a lot, and any downtime I have, I’m trying to do other projects, so very much, my career comes first. Maybe I will find someone eventually,”

Relationships and Rumors

He Has Dated MacKenzie Mauzy

From about late 2016 to early 2018, Sam was linked to actress MacKenzie Mauzy. Marie Claire first reported their relationship when the couple attended a 2017 Oscar party and noted their flirty social media exchanges before they were seen together.

The paparazzi caught them out together on a few occasions in New York City for various events. However, their relationship seemed to quietly fizzle out in the spring of 2018. MacKenzie now appears to be happy in a new relationship.

His Connection with Amy Shiels

Sam has been linked to Twin Peaks actress Amy Shiels, although whether they were more than just friends is still unclear. In 2018, following Sam’s breakup from MacKenzie, Amy appeared at the premiere of his movie The Spy Who Dumped Me, although they weren’t photographed together.

Amy also stirred up fans in 2014 when she “liked” a tweet suggesting the two would make a good couple. She further fueled speculation in 2018 by posting a sweet Instagram for his birthday, calling him her “big brother.” Was he ever more than a brother/friend-like figure? Perhaps we’ll never know.

His Relationship with Caitriona Balfe

Although fans have fawned over the chemistry between Sam and his onscreen love interest, Claire Fraser, played by Caitriona Balfe, he insists that there has never been any real romantic connection off-screen. Caitriona married music producer Anthony McGill in August 2019.

“She is such a wonderful woman—intelligent and creative,” he praised his co-star to the Inquirer in 2020. “More than anything, she’s a good friend. She forces me sometimes to socialize when I don’t want to. She’s a social animal. It’s wonderful to be part of, and always welcomed into, her world.”

Caitriona herself commented on the fan speculation in 2018, stating, “There’s a small vocal group that really wanted [Sam and I to get together], which is just a testament to the characters that we portray, that the love story is so inspiring and so aspirational that people just really wanted to believe in it. And that’s a nice thing,”

Key Takeaways