Former Irish model Caitriona Balfe prepares for big break on cult series debut Outlander

The Mongahan native, who is the only Irish woman to walk the Victoria's Secret runway, has been quietly working on her new role as the star of tv series Outlander - the television adaptation of the cult book series.

Outlander's first trailer debuted at Comic Con last night to much acclaim from both fans and critics.

Fans of the romantic novel series expressed their delight at Balfe's casting as heroine Claire Beauchamp, a WWII British Army nurse who time-travels back to the Scottish highlands in the 18th century, where she lands in the middle of a battle zone and falls for a clansman warrior, played by newcomer Sam Heughan.

"I didn't realise how many books had sold and how die-hard the fans were. It's amazing that everyone was so welcoming when I got the job.

"And the story is captivating. It's leading up to the war between the Highlanders and the British Redcoats but seen through the eyes of a modern woman.

"There's so much spectacular action but at the same time, at the centre, is this love story between Claire and Jamie. I can't say too much, but it's incredibly exciting."