Caitriona Balfe Joins Cast of Apple TV+'s Mount Everest Film 'Tenzing'

Though the final season of Outlander has yet to air, filming wrapped on the series last Fall, which means we'll slowly start to see its stars take on projects that don't involve Scottish standing stones or time travel over the next few months. Sam Heughan recently starred in the (admittedly bizarre) psychological thriller The Couple Next Door, and now it's his co-star Caitriona Balfe's turn. She's set to take part in the forthcoming Apple TV+ film Tenzing, a 1950s-set historical drama about the inspirational life of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who helped Sir Edmund Hillary summit Mount Everest in 1953. 

An accomplished mountaineer and high-altitude porter for several previous British expeditions, the Tibetan-born Norgay had (unsuccessfully) been to Everest six times before his and Hillary's attempt. The pair would forge a strong working relationship and together achieve what was, at the time, thought impossible, reaching the peak of the world's tallest mountain. 

While the role of Tenzing has yet to be cast, Tom Hiddleston (The Night Manager) is set to play the New Zealand-born Hillary. Balfe will take on the role of Jill Henderson, a friend of Tenzing's who helped organize trips up Mount Everest. (At the time, the long-standing climbing route to the summit of Everest was closed by Chinese-controlled Tibet. For the next several years, Nepal only permitted one or two expeditions to make the attempt per year.)

Here's the film's synopsis.

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, Chomolungma.

Alongside Hiddleston and Balfe, William Dafoe (Poor Things) will play expedition leader Colonel John Hunt. 

The film is directed by Jennifer Peedom, who made the 2015 documentary Sherpa and whose existing relationship with the community that depends on the mountain for their living was instrumental in gaining the exclusive rights to tell Tenzing’s story via his family. Luke Davies (Lion) wrote the script. Producers are Liz Watts, Emile Sherman, and Iain Canning for See-Saw Films, alongside Peedom, Davies, and Desray Armstrong. Executive producers are Simon Gillis, David Michôd, and Norbu Tenzing.

"I have no doubt this film will resonate widely," Peedom said when the film was first announced. "We all have our own mountains to climb, and this film shows us what human beings are truly capable of."

Tenzing is currently in production, but does not yet have a release date.