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Saoirse Ronan says her experience as a child actor continues to shape her work
Saoirse Ronan plays a woman struggling with addiction in The Outrun.
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The entertainment industry is notorious for its mistreatment of child actors, but Saoirse Ronan says that wasn’t her experience. Maybe it was because her father was an actor, and her mother was there to protect her. Ronan says: “My mom and my dad always made me feel like, at its core, this should be fun. And as soon as it stops being fun, don’t do it anymore.”
Nominated for her first Oscar at just 13 for the 2007 film Atonement, the Irish actor says she was also “very lucky” to work with a string of supportive filmmakers when she was younger — including Peter Jackson, Peter Weir and Amy Heckerling.
“It was such an incredible environment to grow up in, where youth and innocence is sort of encouraged, in a way, and play is never forgotten about,” she says. “That’s really shaped who I am as an actor now.”
Ronan is currently starring in two films, Blitz and The Outrun. In the former, she plays a mother living in London with her young son and elderly father during the German bombing campaigns of World War II.
“Honoring the mother-child relationship was just something that I couldn’t really pass up,” Ronan says of Blitz. “I’m incredibly close to my own mother and we’ve spent a lot of time together where it was just me and her, so that dynamic is something that I’ve always wanted to bring to life on screen.”
The Outrun is based on the bestselling memoir by Amy Liptrot. Ronan plays Rona, a young woman whose life is derailed because of her addiction to alcohol. Rona makes several efforts to get sober before moving back to Orkney, Scotland, to help her father tend to his farm. In one scene, which Ronan describes as “the most insane experience I’ve ever had on film,” the character assists in the birth of a baby lamb.
“The really interesting and really humbling thing about it was that sheep don’t stick to a schedule,” Ronan says of the birthing scene. “And so we had to bend our shooting schedule to nature. I would get ready at, like, 4:00 a.m. We’d go into the shed and we would just wait and the camera would be ready to go.”
Interview highlights
On reading Amy Liptrot’s memoir The Outrun
I think it was the first time that I had been exposed to an addiction story that didn’t feel like it was all doom and gloom. And it allowed me to get to know the whole person. Amy Liptrot wasn’t defining herself by her addiction to alcohol, but was acknowledging that it played a huge part in her life and the destruction of her life for a long time. I was really drawn to the fact that we would follow a young woman as she struggles with alcoholism. I think that usually when you think of that as a story, you would imagine probably a man, middle-aged, or a woman who’s going through a divorce or she’s lost her family or there’s a domestic sort of element to it. And the fact that we were going to follow someone who, as bad as it sounds on paper, “shouldn’t” have this addiction and yet does, just reminds us of how this is something that can affect everyone.
On tackling the subject of addiction
It is a particular topic that is very personal to me. It’s an addiction that I haven’t struggled with myself, but I’ve watched people very close to me struggle with it. And some of them have seen the light eventually and others have not — and that’s incredibly painful. And I think as someone on the receiving end of that, there’s a lot of anger and resentment that is born out of that experience because you’re not going through it yourself. You don’t understand or I certainly didn’t understand, really, how addiction works. … Unless you actually sit down to examine the effect that a substance is having on your brain, you don’t really take the time to unpick it because you’re so hurt by it and you’re so hurt that it has been chosen over you. So I think I spent a lot of my life carrying that around with me. But it was scary. … It just brought up a lot of pain for me, I suppose.
Saoirse Ronan plays a mother during World War II London in Blitz.
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On Steve McQueen’s WWII film, Blitz
I, of course, knew that it was going to be a sort of fresh take on a World War II British epic, but I didn’t know exactly how. And so when he started to explain to me that it would follow a mixed-race little boy … and that it would really focus on the people left behind, essentially the ones who had to keep society going, which was the women, children and older folk, it just piqued my interest straight away.
On her memorable first time on a movie set as a young child
It was some film about the Troubles, of course, and there were lots of explosions. And we definitely went through a phase of that in Ireland. … I think that’s where I got my sort of mild tinnitus from. I still have a ringing in my ears and I think it’s from this. There was an explosion that happened … that they hadn’t prepared anyone for, and Dad ran for me and put his hands over my ears to protect them from this massive explosion that had gone off. And he always said, “I just don’t know if I got to you time,” because I’ve got a ringing in my ears right now, even as we speak to you. And he’s got really bad tinnitus because of it. So that’s my first memory of being on a film set. And I remember even though I was young, I was 5 or something. And even then I remember loving the atmosphere of the film. So I just loved how cool everyone was and how much fun everyone seemed to be having.
On feeling out of place both in the U.S. and in Ireland
I was born in the Bronx. I was there till I was 3. I always sounded Irish. I was only really surrounded by Irish people when I was there anyway. And then with two Dublin parents, I moved to the countryside and so still didn’t really fit in and was reminded of that quite a bit. And so I never really felt like I fully belonged anywhere — and I still don’t really. I think there’s parts of me that belong in different places. And I suppose the older I’ve gotten and the more people who have become a part of my bubble, they are my home. My partner is my home … and so it’s not site-specific. … What’s really great about being on the road from so young is that you can create a home for yourself anywhere. And you know what you need to feel safe and to feel and comforted. I think any actor, any filmmaker, any musician, I’m sure they become experts in setting up camp anywhere, really.
On working with filmmaker Greta Gerwig on Lady Bird and Little Women
Put simply, what I love and admire most about Greta is that she loves actors. She is not afraid of actors. She’s not intimidated by them. She knows how to handle them. She gives them support and structure, but also allows them to just play and be free. And it’s quite incredible how many directors can’t seem to do that. She enjoys being on set so much. She’s such a positive influence on all of us. And she has the most impeccable taste. And that girl will never stop working to make something better. She pays attention to every little detail without it feeling clinical. She actually put a line into Lady Bird where I think the nun in the movie says that the greatest form of love is to pay attention. … It’s the most beautiful line. And that is what Greta does. She pays attention. I’ve never met someone who is more genuinely interested by human nature and people, and I’ve never worked with anyone like her. And she always makes me better.
Lauren Krenzel and Anna Bauman produced and edited this interview for broadcast. Bridget Bentz, Molly Seavy-Nesper and Beth Novey adapted it for the web.
One of the richest men in the world is congratulating Donald Trump for winning back the presidency … with Jeff Bezos sending Trump major props.
The Amazon founder posted Wednesday morning on X … “Big congratulations to our 45th and now 47th President on an extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory. No nation has bigger opportunities.”
Bezos is also wishing Trump “all success in leading and uniting the America we all love.”
The congratulations come after Jeff sparked major backlash last month when he suddenly stopped the Washington Post, the newspaper he owns, from endorsing a presidential candidate.
Bezos’ decision to break with the paper’s endorsement tradition resulted in more than 200,000 readers canceling their WaPo subscriptions in the immediate aftermath … according to NPR … and some folks even went so far as to claim JB was trying to curry favor with Trump in anticipation of a possible election win.
For his part, Jeff said his decision to end WaPo endorsements was about being unbiased, and “no quid pro quo of any kind” was involved.
It’s interesting … Bezos has only posted on X twice this year … and his only other post was on July 13 — the night of the Trump assassination attempt in Butler, PA — when he said “Our former President showed tremendous grace and courage under literal fire tonight. So thankful for his safety and so sad for the victims and their families.”
When Trump was in office before, he often ripped Bezos over negative coverage in the WaPo … and DT even threatened to investigate Amazon for alleged antitrust violations.
Iris and Burt Foster take a selfie after voting Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr., High School in Upper Marlboro, Md.
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The final day of election season is coming to an end as polling stations around the U.S. close. The race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris remains statistically close.
NPR’s final national NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found that Vice President Kamala Harris narrowly leads former President Donald Trump among likely voters, fueled by white, college-educated voters, Black voters and Latinos.
Some of NPR’s member station photographers spent the day documenting Americans casting their votes in what could be a historic election.
Members of the Staten Island Republican Party hold signage in support of Republican Presidential candidate Donald J. Trump for drivers passing by in Staten Island, NY.
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José A. Alvarado Jr./José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR
A line forms outside of the Ruiz Branch of the Austin Public Library to vote in Austin, Texas.
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Voters drop off their ballots on Election Day at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif.
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Carmen Lopez prepares to fill out her ballot on Election Day at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif.
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Voters cast their ballot at VFW Post 738 with the state Capitol building in view in Des Moines, Iowa.
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St. Louis County voting stickers are laid out for voters at Holy Name Community Center in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo.
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At Waterbury City Hall, Joanna Dvorchak (left) and Rosemary Delano (right) hand count ballots that didn’t read in the tabulator machine the evening of Election Day in Waterbury, Conn.
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Voters arrive at Calhoun Community Center on Election Day morning to cast their ballots, with poll workers assisting with check-in and directions in Richmond, Va.
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Patti Gorman, dressed as lady liberty, talks with her former Seattle Central student, Afrikaan Sahra, right, as voters cast their ballots outside of Seattle Central College in Capitol Hill. Sahra is voting for the first time after receiving U.S. citizenship.
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Voters check in and head to voting booths at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club in Charlestown, Mass.
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Iris and Burt Foster take a selfie after voting Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr., High School in Upper Marlboro, Md.
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Adam Powell, 45, casts his ballot during the General Election at Holy Name Community Center in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo. A power outage at the polling site caused staff to run off of lanterns and generators.
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Voters wait in a long line down a spiral staircase before the polls open at 7 a.m. at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club in Boston, Mass.
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Attendees react as a race is predicted for Trump during the Travis County Democratic Party’s Election Night watch party in Austin, Texas.
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Ballots move through a signature verification system at the Multnomah County Elections Division office in Portland, Ore.
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Scanner printouts from every ballot scanner in every precinct in Fulton County are displayed at the election hub in Atlanta, Ga.
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Voters cast their ballots at Robious Elementary School in Chesterfield County, Va.
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Richmond residents cast their votes at Fire Station #15 during the morning hours on Tuesday in Richmond, Va.
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Residents of the Jackson Heights neighborhood anxiously look on for the evening’s election results during an election night watch party in Terraza 7 in Queens in New York City.
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Sometimes the best gift is not another item to keep track of but an experience where you can lose yourself entirely and find serenity, healing or replenishment.
Fortunately, L.A. is filled with unexpected places that provide an escape from the supersonic speed of our daily lives, and many of them offer gift cards. From a secret tea house in the Arts District to a festive sound bath in the Santa Monica Mountains, we’ve scoured the city for some of the best pockets of unexpected calm. Think your pals and loved ones will be into hiking with pygmy goats? Meditating with bees? Ready to try an ice bath? We’ve got you covered with self-care experiences for under $100.
If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated.
Escape to a dreamy oasis and drink tea
For anyone who’s obsessed with drinking herbal tea or hanging out in a TikTok-approved oasis for hours, Tea at Shiloh is the perfect gift. The tea house, which stays open until 11 some nights, hosts an array of connection-driven gatherings, including jazz evenings, breathwork sessions, flamenco performances and workshops. Tea at Shiloh also offers daylight hours — imagine a quiet co-working space — on select days. Reservations are required to experience this tranquil space, so treat your loved one to a gift card. A reservation for one is $44 and $88 for two. Or if they don’t live locally, consider purchasing them Tea at Shiloh’s limited-edition herbal book, “Roots, Leaves, Flowers.” — Kailyn Brown
$44 at Tea at Shiloh
(Zay Monae / For The Times)
Experience the healing powers of plants at Meet Me in the Dirt
When you don’t have the funds or time to get a massage at your favorite spa or stay at a luxurious hotel, you can find respite at a surprising place: the South Bay Galleria. Inside a 2,400-square-foot space at the mall is Meet Me in the Dirt, a whimsical plant shop that hosts events meant to generate the positive effects that being exposed to greenery and playing in soil can have on your mental health. We suggest gifting the soil meditation experience, which costs $75 and is hosted by shop owner Barbara Lawson, who is also a certified grief counselor. Or if your giftee might prefer alone time, book them space to in one of the five Zen-inspired rooms, which have names that represent what people may need in their life at that time (e.g., valued and loved). Room rentals are available for people ages 21 and up and cost $50 to $85 per hour. — K.B.
$75 at Meet Me in the Dirt
De-stress in an ice bath or sweat it out in a sauna at Remedy Place
Although many social clubs require you to be a member or a member‘s guest to experience their amenities, Remedy Place doesn’t have such restrictions. Created by Jonathan Leary, this Sunset Strip spot claims to be the world’s first social wellness club. Visitors can participate in everything from ice bath classes to infrared sauna sessions at a la carte rates. It’s the perfect way to try a service such as cryotherapy ($50) or lymphatic compression ($100 for 30 minutes) without having to commit to a pricey membership. We recommend buying a gift certificate; you can either pick the dollar amount or book a specific service for your gift recipient. Once they’ve completed their service, they can take a steamy shower, then hang out in Remedy Place’s gorgeous lobby, where there’s an alcohol-free bar that sells tonics, herbal energy drinks and more. — K.B.
Prices vary at Remedy Place
Channel the inner child on a goat excursion
Who needs a therapist when there are goats? Michelle Tritten of Hello Critter hosts rejuvenating goat events around the Los Angeles area. That includes goat yoga as well as goat hikes, goat walks and goat sound bath meditations. Her Nigerian dwarf goats are playful, loving creatures — part dog, as they’re smart, friendly and loyal; part cat, given their independent quirky personalities; and part horse, with an appetite for outdoor adventures. Treat your most harried friends or family members to a goat yoga class, held at cultural institutions around the L.A. area such as Pasadena’s Gamble House and the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Or splurge on an all-day excursion — Tritten leads private groups on goat hikes to a remote waterfall. Why goats? Because their “playful antics and gentle manner,” Tritten says, “open hearts, widen smiles and deepen stretches throughout each [yoga] practice.” — Deborah Vankin
Gift cards start at $50 at Hello Critter
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
Totally unwind at a head spa
A Chinese scalp treatment at the San Gabriel head spa Cai Xiang Ge might be the most relaxing spa service in L.A. Some on social media even claim it will “change your life.” The 60-minute service includes a detailed scalp analysis — shedding light not just on the health of your noggin but also your overall health, according to practitioners — followed by a slow, indulgent head and neck massage and repeated hair washings. All the while you’re wearing a heated eye mask and your feet are soaking in a warm bath infused with Chinese herbs. Dermatologists say that scalp treatments promote circulation and detoxify, as well as calm and hydrate skin, all of which can help prevent dandruff, itchiness, dryness and inflammation. But the real benefit is the deep relaxation and sense of being cared for that comes from someone expertly massaging your head in warm water for an hour. With gifts, it may be the thought that counts; but with a head-massage, it’s the experience that matters. The service ends in the salon, with an “anti-hair loss” treatment and blow-dry as you sip tea and eat sweets. Pure heaven. — Deborah Vankin
$95 for 60 minutes at Cai Xiang Ge
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Seek guidance from the stars with a down-to-earth astrologer
Warm and infinitely relatable, Richard Contreras offers down-to-earth (and affordable) astrology and tarot readings that might change your giftee’s life or at least help them gain some much-needed perspective — assuming they’re open to that kind of thing. The messages Contreras divines may not always be reassuring — “I’m not going to lie. It’s going to be a bumpy road ahead,” he told me in a recent reading — but he also reminded me that challenge is necessary for growth. Contreras, who used to have a storefront in Pasadena, mostly sees clients on Zoom these days. He’s also efficient: I met with him for less than an hour, and the reading continues to reverberate weeks later. — Deborah Netburn
$60 for 30 minutes, $90 for 45 minutes. Contact him through Instagram: instagram.com/ozomapilli.
Meditate in an apiary at Teas With Bees
Spiritual beekeeper Marvin Jordana’s latest offering is Teas With Bees, a two-hour experience that invites participants to find calm in the presence of hundreds of thousands of bees. (Yes, it’s possible.) You’ll begin with a handcrafted herbal tea and a brief discussion about the divine energy of the hive. After a meditation, you’ll move slowly and mindfully into the apiary (Jordana provides bee suits and veils), where you’re invited to feed bees honey, observe a hive with a magnifying glass or simply zone out to the buzzing vibrations around you. “Ask yourself, ‘Can I slow down?’ And then ask yourself, ‘Can I slow down even more?’” Jordana said before leading my group out to meet the bees. “It’s a safety thing, and also a meditative thing.”
— D.N.
$44 at Teas With Bees
Bliss out with a magical sound bath in Malibu
Ana Netanel’s Shakti Sound Bath might be the most magical in all of L.A. It takes place most Sundays (weather permitting) on a grassy clearing high in the Santa Monica Mountains beneath a massive sculpture of a seated figure with a heart cut out of its torso. Led by Netanel and the members of her High Vibe Tribe, it’s a 90-minute alfresco experience that includes harp, flute, gongs, chimes, rain sticks, crystal bowls and other relaxing sound makers. I think of it as somewhere between a new age revival and a concert — joyful, rejuvenating, relaxing and festive all at once. It doesn’t matter if your loved ones are new to sound baths or if they attend them all the time — they will be dazzled. — D.N.
$45; $111 for VIP tickets at Shakti Sound Bath
Prices and availability of experiences in the Gift Guide and on latimes.com are subject to change.
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