Saoirse Ronan Sets Sights on Directing After ‘The Outrun’: Inspired by Greta Gerwig’s Advice

The actress reflects on her journey as a producer, her desire to direct, and the personal connection she felt to her latest film.

Saoirse Ronan is ready to take her career to the next level, moving beyond acting to explore directing. The 30-year-old actress, who stars in and produced The Outrun, revealed that her experience working behind the scenes has sparked a desire to direct. “I’d love to do that [directing] next,” Ronan shared at the Los Angeles premiere of the Sony Pictures Classics film.

Ronan credits her frequent collaborator, Barbie director Greta Gerwig, for encouraging her to consider directing. “It was actually Greta who said that you need to immerse yourself in the preparation first to see if it excites you because that’s where the real challenge lies,” Ronan explained. “Producing gave me insight into the tough early decisions, and it made me feel more confident as a storyteller.”

In The Outrun, Ronan portrays a young Scottish woman battling addiction, in a story based on Amy Liptrot’s memoir. Liptrot co-wrote the script, which resonated deeply with Ronan. “What drew me in was how Amy depicted addiction—how it was so much more than just that,” Ronan said.

Reflecting on the production, Ronan admitted it was a transformative learning experience. “You can’t help but learn from both the good and the bad,” she said. Producing gave her a newfound appreciation for independent filmmaking, particularly the long and often challenging process of bringing such projects to life. “There were days when we weren’t sure if we’d make it to the next,” she recalled, but praised the crew for their resilience and dedication.

Scotland, where the film is set, holds a special place in Ronan’s heart. “It’s a place I’m very passionate about,” she said, adding that the subject matter of The Outrun felt particularly personal. “The way it was written, so uniquely, made it feel fresh to me. I knew if we could pull it off, it would be something really special.”