Saoirse Ronan on Surviving Hollywood and Her Fears About the Election

Believe it or not, Saoirse Ronan — a four-time Oscar nominee and one of Hollywood’s brightest stars — is just a cool girl from the Bronx.

Ronan was born in the U.S., moved to Ireland when she was three, and still splits time between there and her native land. And yes, she still votes in every election and can even one day run for president (if she chooses to). Beyond her acclaimed performances in films like “Lady Bird” and “Little Women,” Ronan remains deeply grounded. She recently married her longtime partner Jack Lowden, who celebrated his first Emmy nomination for “Slow Horses” (with Ronan secretly wishing for him to play James Bond). Nonetheless, she’s deeply committed to making the entertainment industry a safer, more supportive environment for young actors.

On this film awards season premiere of the award-winning Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Ronan opens up about her early start in the film industry, her challenges, and her two critically acclaimed performances in the dramas “Blitz” and “The Outrun.” Listen below:

Ronan is no diva. After driving herself to the studio, she enters the room with her signature humility and humor, reflecting on some light-hearted moments from her youth, including the many mispronunciations of her name and an incident when her name was misspelled on an “Atonement” poster at the Grove in Los Angeles during the 2007 writers’ strike.

For someone who began her career at just 13 in Joe Wright’s war drama, Ronan speaks with remarkable clarity about how those early experiences shaped her. She attributes much of her success and ability to navigate the pressures of fame to her mother’s constant support. “I was very lucky that I had the mother that I have,” she shared. “Whether it was the biggest producer in the world asking her if I could work overtime or someone she admired, she would never put that ahead of me.” Her mother’s fierce protection ensured Ronan never became a casualty of Hollywood’s darker side.

This parental support was crucial for Ronan in an industry where young actors often face exploitation. “There are directors who are incredibly manipulative, especially with young actors,” she said. “It’s fundamentally who a child is to want to please and never say no.” Ronan is committed to protecting today’s young talent from similar experiences. Now 30, she feels a strong sense of responsibility to offer guidance and support, encouraging young actors to contact her personally if they need advice or help. “It’s a very lonely place, and it’s a very unnatural environment to grow up in,” she explained. “I just want young people to know they can always reach out. It’s important they have someone in their corner.”

Ronan’s advocacy isn’t limited to the film industry. She’s equally outspoken about the importance of political engagement, particularly in the upcoming U.S. election. “America is such a huge part of how the world operates,” Ronan says. “If you guys go down, a large majority of us will go down.”

Her concerns are deeply rooted in the global implications of U.S. politics, and she is particularly troubled by the recent rollbacks in reproductive rights and the rise of racism and bigotry. “There are people I’m close to who don’t feel safe and can’t go to New York anymore because they’re just randomly getting attacked in the street for TikTok content. I don’t feel safe going to the cinema because I’m not sure if someone’s going to pull a gun out. It’s horrifying.”

These unsettling developments have driven Ronan to become an even more vocal advocate for voting. As the election draws nearer, she urges people to take action. “Please don’t be on the fence,” she pleads. “The people who are undecided will sway this election one way or the other.”

For Ronan, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Her message is clear: vote, and vote for the future you want to see — not just for yourself, but for everyone.

Also on this episode, actor John Magaro from the film “September 5” discusses preparing for a movie that couldn’t be more relevant and what to expect from his upcoming projects, including Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Bride.”

Sony Pictures Classics’ “The Outrun” also stars Stephen Dillane and Paapa Essiedu and is currently in theaters. Apple’s “Blitz” will open in select cinemas on Nov. 1, followed by a streaming release on Apple TV+ on Nov. 22.

Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Riley and Michael Schneider, who also produces, is your one-stop source for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each episode, “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives, discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines, and much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts.