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Saoirse Ronan entered the world of acting at a very young age and quickly became a fan favorite. After years of hard work and dedication to her craft, she has reached a new chapter in her life at 30. The talented Irish actress, who earned her first Oscar nomination at just 14 forAtonement, has gone on to star in acclaimed films likeBrooklyn,Ladybird, andLittle Women.
Married and looking to slow down, she had been hoping to enjoy some well-deserved downtime. However, the only thing that could have tempted her out of that break was an offer she simply couldn’t refuse and that was working with Steve McQueen. And that’s exactly what brought her back to the spotlight!
Saoirse Ronan Went On a Self-Imposed Semi-Retirement
Saoirse Ronan decided to step back and take a much-needed break from her demanding career. Despite her young age, she has been a prominent figure in the industry for years, winning over both audiences and critics with her incredible talent. But even when you love what you do, the constant hustle can become overwhelming. Instead of quitting, Ronan set a condition for herself, leaving her next move up to fate.
In early 2022, she was fully immersed in back-to-back projects, starting with a three-month shoot in Australia forFoe, directed by Garth Davis, followed by another six months working onThe Outrun. Exhausted from being away from home for so long, she told herself that unless something extraordinary came her way, like the chance to work with the legendary Steve McQueen, she would stick to her plan for a semi-retirement. She said toEntertainment Weekly,
I’d been away from home for months. I said to my agent, ‘The only way I would do anything else after that is if, I don’t know, Steve McQueen was making a film.
As it turns out, McQueen did come calling, making her brief retreat from acting short-lived. Ronan was already a huge admirer of McQueen’s work, and couldn’t resist the opportunity. Adding to the appeal, her husband, Jack Lowden, had previously worked with McQueen onMangroveand had spoken highly of the experience.
Admiration For Steve McQueen’s Filmmaking Drew Saoirse Ronan Back to Acting
Steve McQueenis the reasonSaoirse Ronandecided to end her semi-break from acting. Having started her Hollywood career at a very young age, Ronan had reached a point where she wanted to step back and focus on her personal life, especially after recently getting married. However, some opportunities are just too good to let go. According toDeadline, Ronan said while talking about director McQueen,
I love his taste. I think he’s a very smart filmmaker. I think that he manages to create work that isn’t didactic, but it always gives you a sense of reflection while being entertained.
She further added,
I think that he is one of the few directors who’s managed to come from the visual art world and is just as much about performance and the actors having their time, as he is about making the frame look beautiful. You don’t often get both. When it comes to the respect that he gives to the actors, it’s a nice energy to be around. It’s supportive, and it makes you feel like nothing’s really off the table.
Ronan has always admired McQueen as a filmmaker, known for his ability to create thought-provoking films that entertain while leaving a lasting impact. His unique approach combines stunning visuals with a deep focus on the actors’ performances. This creates an atmosphere that feels both supportive and inspiring.
Blitz Austin Film Festival Review — Steve McQueen Makes a Stunning, Stressful, Moving War Drama
For Ronan, taking on new roles has become about more than just acting, it’s about working with filmmakers whose vision aligns with her own and who create environments that value collaboration and creativity. She said in an interview with Deadline,
It’s become more about the type of filmmakers I want to work with, the older I get, because I think the richer your personal life becomes, the more it takes for you to be convinced to leave it. So, you really want it to be with people who are not crazy, are nice to be around, do great work, and do the kind of work that you align yourself with.
As Ronan gets older, choosing a project has become about finding the right balance between her personal life and roles that push her boundaries as an actor. It was this mix of artistic inspiration and mutual respect that drew her back into the spotlight for McQueen’s film.
What Drew Saoirse Ronan to The Role inBlitz?
Saoirse Ronan was drawn to her role inBlitz, a World War II drama that tells the story of a biracial boy searching for his mother in war-torn London because it offered her something new and deeply personal to explore. For the first time in her career, she got to portray a mother, a role that holds a special meaning for her.
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The bond between a mother and child has always been important in her life, and the chance to bring that connection to the screen felt both meaningful and challenging. She said
I’ve never played a mother before, and the relationship between mother and child is one that’s incredibly precious to me and has been very formative in my life. Being able to explore that, and embody it on screen, especially with a filmmaker who is so about achieving truth and realism — to know that that wasn’t going to be skimmed over, and it was going to be given the time that it deserves — really intrigued me.
The role became even more enticing because she trusted the filmmaker’s dedication to authenticity. She felt confident that the story would be told thoughtfully, giving her the space to deeply explore this meaningful relationship and portray it with the care it deserved.
Blitzwill be available for streaming on Apple TV+ from June 14, 2025.
Sohini Mukherjee
Content Writer
Articles Published :331
Sohini Mukherjee is an Evergreen writer at FandomWire, specializing in pop culture, all things sitcoms, and, of course, Harry Potter. She has a soft spot for shows like Modern Family and pretty much any movie that knows how to tell a good story. You’ll find her name on listicles and long form articles that feel more like fun conversations than stiff articles. Having published over 300 articles, Sohini always brings a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the stories she covers.
