Actress Saoirse Ronan on ‘Mary Queen of Scots’, Margot Robbie and #MeToo

In the wake of her best actress Oscar nomination for Lady Bird at the beginning of last year, Saoirse (pronounced Ser-sha) Ronan has emerged as one of the hottest young stars in Hollywood. Having won the hearts of audiences with her spirited portrayal of a rebellious California teenager, the 24-year-old Ronan has entered a new realm entirely – playing the title role in Mary Queen of Scots. View this post on Instagram Our queens ruled the red carpet at the #MaryQueenofScots UK premiere. A post shared by Mary Queen of Scots (@maryqueenmovie) on Dec 10, 2018 at 4:06pm PST Brie Larson talks Captain Marvel, women’s empowerment and why she’s not into make-up This is undoubtedly the highest profile film of her brilliant career. The film recounts a pivotal and turbulent moment in British history where Mary Stuart (Ronan) finds herself facing enormous pressures after returning to Scotland in 1561 as a young widow and former Queen of France to assume the throne. View this post on Instagram Discover their extraordinary story. #MaryQueenOfScots is now available on Amazon. http://uni.pictures/MQOS_Amz A post shared by Mary Queen of Scots (@maryqueenmovie) on Mar 8, 2019 at 5:46pm PST This brings her into immediate conflict with her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, played by Margot Robbie, now ruling both England and Scotland. Mary [Stuart] and [Queen] Elizabeth held these impossible positions where they had so much power and ... were ruling two countries in a man’s world. Saoirse Ronan Mary is determined to overthrow Elizabeth, however, amid complex conspiracies and political plots hatched by their respective court advisers, who manipulate the two monarchs against each other. “We’re following someone who has a great deal of humanity,” Ronan says. “One of her main priorities is to connect with people, the people she works with and the people that are closest to her. And [Queen] Elizabeth as well. She really wants to connect to people on a human level.” View this post on Instagram “It was clear that Josie [Rourke] wanted to inject an element of youth and acknowledge that they were very young people, but with huge responsibilities. But at the same time, they are exploring their sexuality and they’re falling in love, and they’re feeling insecure. It was interesting to look at it through a political lens and try to understand, was there a calculated move there, or was she young and in love and feeling extremely insecure, and did something a bit stupid? When you have those conversations, you’re humanizing them, and realizing that they’re not so different to you and I, that they’re making mistakes and messing up, and that’s what makes them relatable.” - @margotrobbie #MaryQueenofScots via @deadline / : @g2fotog A post shared by Mary Queen of Scots (@maryqueenmovie) on Jan 12, 2019 at 1:51pm PST Mary Queen of Scots, produced by Focus Features, is set for release in Hong Kong on March 28. The film co-stars David Tennant (known for the television series Dr Who and Broadchurch), Gemma Chan (of Crazy Rich Asians fame), Guy Pearce (Memento and Iron Man 3) and Joe Alwyn. 5 reasons Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek stole our hearts – and the award Interestingly, Ronan and Robbie met only once during the entire film, a critical meeting between Mary and Elizabeth that saw them crying and hugging on the day this particular scene – the only time their characters meet – was shot. Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie deliberately avoided meeting each other to build up the tension for the climactic and, as it turned out, cathartic moment The actors deliberately avoided meeting each other to build up the tension for that climactic and, as it turned out, cathartic moment. “We really, really didn’t want to see each other,” Ronan says. “I love Margot and wanted to hang out, but we wanted [the meeting] to be this special thing. We were blubbering like idiots. We just held each other for ages, we wouldn’t let go. I’ve never experienced anything like that.” Chinese celebrity Ni Ni’s secret to success: ‘if the cap fits, wear it’ Ronan, whose recent performances also including 2017’s On Chesil Beach and 2018’s The Seagull, is reportedly single although there have been rumours that he is dating Swedish ballet star Calum Lowden. She divides her time between homes in Los Angeles, New York and London. View this post on Instagram Defy history to change the future. #MaryQueenofScots #NowPlaying A post shared by Mary Queen of Scots (@maryqueenmovie) on Dec 27, 2018 at 3:32pm PST THE INTERVIEW via GIPHY Saoirse, does this latest film about Mary Queen of Scots attempt to show different sides of her as compared with previous films about her? I think it does. The story plays more like a political thriller and that comes from the screenplay by Beau Willimon, the author of House of Cards, which he based on the book [My Heart Is My Own: The Life of Mary Queen of Scots] by John Guy. The film focuses on the seven years before Mary’s arrest in England and we see Queen Elizabeth – played by Margot Robbie – heavily involved in the politics of that time and the struggle against patriarchal authority. I’ve been pursuing this project since I was 15 and it was an incredible feeling to actually get to do it. It’s an incredible time in history when one considers the impact that these two women had on their world. Mary and Elizabeth held these impossible positions in that era where they had so much power and responsibility and ... were ruling two countries in a man’s world. They were also being advised in a way that didn’t necessarily serve them or their countries, however, and they needed a good head on their shoulders and [to] rely on the people closest to them. There is a [political] thriller element to the story, but it is more about the people they could trust – it’s a universal story and will never go out of fashion. Meet Bertrand Guyon, design director at Schiaparelli How would you describe the kind of personal journey that Mary and Elizabeth take during the film? They’re both trying to find their way and trying to find purpose in this very mixed up world that they’ve become part of. From Mary’s point of view she’s someone who’s genuinely trying to do their best and bring peace to a land that hasn’t known it in so long. They’re both trying to find their way and trying to find purpose in this very mixed up world that they’ve become part of Saoirse Ronan You’ve been attached to play Mary for many years, isn’t that so? Yes, I first signed up with [UK production company] Working Title when I was 18 and ever since I’ve been waiting for the film to happen. I was thrilled when it finally all came together because it’s such a fascinating and compelling story and I couldn’t wait to play this character. We get to show Mary in a very personal way which adds another layer to the story and all the politics and betrayals and conspiracies taking place. View this post on Instagram “There was so much anticipation. We had been waiting months to do it, and we had both asked to be kept away from each other. It had become personal for us just like it was for the characters: I wanted to do the scene with Margot as much as Mary wanted to see and talk with Elizabeth.” - Saoirse Ronan on filming that powerful scene with co-star @margotrobbie in #MaryQueenofScots, now playing. More at nytimes.com : @nytimes A post shared by Mary Queen of Scots (@maryqueenmovie) on Dec 9, 2018 at 6:25pm PST When you and Margot finally had a chance to meet and get to know each other, what was that like? I had an especially good time acting with Margot. I had a chance to talk to her about Australia and also about her work in Suicide Squad, a film I really liked. Audiences have watched you grow up while you’ve played so many different characters over the years. How have you felt during this process? I’ve enjoyed it and I’m enjoying my work more than ever. There’s a profound need to represent women in every moment of their lives on screen, just as is normally the case with men. When I started working as a child, they told me that I would have a difficult time, because nobody writes interesting stories about girls in their late teens. And it turned out to be true. View this post on Instagram At Edinburgh Castle for a special screening of #MaryQueenofScots with James McArdle, #SaoirseRonan and @j_a_lowden. : @workingtitlefilms A post shared by Mary Queen of Scots (@maryqueenmovie) on Jan 15, 2019 at 8:05am PST I waited quite a while for a role that would enable me to make that transition from a child actress to an adult. That finally happened when I was able to work in The Grand Budapest Hotel and Brooklyn. I was very fortunate and grateful that I was able to find those roles. In the aftermath of the revelations about Harvey Weinstein and the rise of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, is this an important turning point for women? It’s a fantastic time for women because there is a real sign that change is taking place and that there’s much greater awareness of the very unpleasant things that have gone on. Women shouldn’t have to work under those conditions and we must all support each other now and stand up for those courageous women who have gone public with their stories. I’ve always admired Meryl Streep ... It’s incredible the kinds of roles she’s been able to play and how many great choices she’s made. The same goes for Cate Blanchett Saoirse Ronan Their voices shouldn’t be forgotten and let’s hope that the industry will reflect that spirit of change and we’ll see more projects like [television drama] Big Little Lies and Lady Bird where women are taking a lead role in developing those projects as well as telling more stories from a women’s point of view and with interesting female characters. What Reese Witherspoon did [co-producing and starring in Big Little Lies] was exceptional. She put together a group of incredible actresses she admires, giving each of them, even in seemingly minor roles, the same importance. Taylor Swift sets the red carpet ablaze at the AMAs Which other actresses have inspired you? I’ve always admired Meryl Streep, of course, who is a wonderful woman who has made a huge contribution to this industry. It’s incredible the kinds of roles she’s been able to play and how many great choices she’s made. The same goes for Cate Blanchett. They’re both very strong and dynamic women and I try to watch all their films because they always play such interesting characters. View this post on Instagram All hail our cast of #MaryQueenofScots. #NYPremiere A post shared by Mary Queen of Scots (@maryqueenmovie) on Dec 4, 2018 at 11:01pm PST You have moved around a lot the last few years. How do you adjust to living in different cities and working in so many different locations? Even though I was born in the Bronx [in New York], I grew up in Ireland in County Galway, and I still enjoy going back there where I feel at home and I can relax. There’s a serenity there that I can’t find anywhere else. Fan Bingbing, other Chinese celebrities light up Cannes’ red carpet But I also enjoy being in New York which is where I really began to enjoy my independence and living on my own and not having my mum doing everything for me. Living in New York and getting to experience all the different cultures and being part of the excitement of that city has been very important to me. Being there has helped me become more open and outgoing as compared to before when I was living a very sheltered kind of life. I feel I’ve matured a lot lately. I’ve known other actors who are very cynical about this profession and I never want to become like that ... acting is something I love very deeply Saoirse Ronan Are you still close to your mum? My mother and I are more like best friends. We’re still very close and she’s always been a role model for me and I have so much respect for how her sense of dignity and integrity. I admire her greatly and I’ve tried to take after her and bring that same kind of perspective to the way I live and how I treat people. Both my parents have taught me to be true to myself and dedicate myself to pursuing the things that are truly meaningful to me. I’ve drawn a lot of strength from my parents and also the support of some good friends. via GIPHY Is it hard to retain your youthful exuberance that you seem to project while becoming a major Hollywood star and dealing with the business end of things and the pressure to compete for the best role? I’ve known other actors who are very cynical about this profession and I never want to become like that. Of course I also want to be able to earn money and afford a good life for my family should I ever have one. But I want to do that while I am able to put all my heart into my work and continue acting in projects that I believe in because acting is something I love very deeply. Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Actress Saoirse Ronan on ‘Mary Queen of Scots’, Margot Robbie and #MeToo

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The New York-born star tells STYLE about her desire to play Mary Stuart and working with the actress playing Queen Elizabeth I

The New York-born star tells STYLE about her desire to play Mary Stuart and working with the actress playing Queen Elizabeth I