Outlander's Caitriona Balfe says she fights every day for 'a good portrayal of women'

Manytwists and turns are expected for season two of the hit time-travel TV seriesOutlander, butCaitrionaBalfesays there's one constant about her role asBritish war nurseClaire.

"I fight every day and the writers fight every day for a good portrayal of women in the show," Balfetold CBC's Laura Thompson."I think it's very interesting how you have this strong, central, female character."

Balfe's character, a warm yet practical nurse,started season one married to Frank Randall in the 20th century. She thenfoundherself transported back in time to Scotland, where she marries Highland warrior James Fraser.

The season one finale saw Claire and Jamessail away on a ship to France in the 18th century, determined to change the course of history. Balfe said fans can expect a lot more to changeas well.

"Our characters from season onewere always so honest and honourable," she said. "This season they've taken on this task of being duplicitous and underhanded and lying so you see them use a very different side of themselves."

The Irish actress wascast in the popular Showcase seriesin 2014 after many of her co-stars had already been preparing for months on location. Awhirlwind schedule began immediately following herfinal audition.

"Aweek later, I was in Scotland and we started shooting within twoweeks later after that," said the 36-year-old former model."All of the sudden, my Twitter account was exploding, so I kind of knew that there was a fan base, but I didn't realize the magnitude of them."

In the upcoming season, which premieres Sunday in Canada, Claireand JamesFraserleap from18thcentury Scotland to Francewith a mission to stop the Jacobite rebellion. New excitement and tension inherromantic relationships are bound to ensue.

"We try to show thatno matter what society's norms, the strength and the power of women always shines forth," she said.