Actress Saoirse Ronan has shared her insights on the evolution of acting talent, contrasting today's rising stars with iconic figures from previous generations saying the likes of Dame Maggie Smith are talents they 'don't make anymore'.
During a candid conversation with Selena Gomez for Variety's Actors on Actors series, the pair delved into their latest roles. Ronan is set to appear in The Outrun and Blitz, while Gomez discussed her character in Emilia Perez. Both actresses, who started young in the industry, found common ground in their early experiences.
Gomez expressed her admiration for her Only Murders in the Building co-stars, Steve Martin and Martin Short. Echoing this sentiment, Ronan highlighted a breed of actors she feels are unique to their time: "There's a certain group of actors that I think exist in the States and also in the UK and Ireland that we just don't make anymore."
Ronan continued, praising the dedication and roots of these performers: "So like for us people like Leslie Manville, and Gary Oldman, and Steve and Martin, and even Meryl. All of these people, so many of them started in the theater. Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, they grafted in a way that not only we didn't have to, but there's an awareness of the industry now and we all sort of have an awareness of ourselves. Which I feel like they didn't have to deal with in the same way. And so they just had these incredible bodies of work, before they ever moved into screen", reports the Irish Star.
Gomez resonated with Ronan's perspective, adding: "I think that's so spot on," and shared her joy in learning from such experienced actors, noting the stark differences in how films were made in the past.
Ronan is renowned for keeping her personal life away from the public gaze. She discreetly married fellow actor Jack Lowden earlier this year and has revealed little about their shared life.
Gomez, on the other hand, has been at the centre of numerous media frenzies since she started acting as a child. She recently took a break from her music career to return to acting.
During the interview, Gomez mentioned her partner, music producer Benny Blanco, stating: "I'll always have music in my life because my partner's a musician, and I love having moments to do it for fun. It can be a little vulnerable when you're putting yourself out there versus escaping into a character."
She further added: "I think I might be a little too old for the pop-star life. I'm genuinely so happy to just be in this new era of my life, because in a lot of ways, it's just the beginning."
Actors on Actors is available on Variety's YouTube channel.
English (United States) ·