Saoirse Ronan made a notable appearance alongside Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, and Eddie Redmayne on The Graham Norton Show, captivating the audience with her insights on pivotal social issues.
During the episode, Paul Mescal remarked that Ronan “hit the nail on the head” regarding women’s safety—a poignant comment that quickly gained traction online and sparked widespread discussion.
The two talented Irish actors, who share a camaraderie both on and off the screen, participated in a frank conversation on the popular BBC show last month. Fellow actor Eddie Redmayne recounted a striking experience in which he had been advised to utilize a phone as a weapon during his preparation for a role as an assassin in the thriller The Day of the Jackal.
In response to Redmayne’s anecdote, Mescal, 28, raised concerns about the practicality of such advice, questioning whether a person under attack would actually have the opportunity to retrieve their phone. Ronan interjected, emphasizing the constant vigilance that women must maintain in everyday situations, stating, “That’s what girls have to think about all the time. Am I right ladies?”
Reflecting on Ronan’s impactful comments during an interview on RTE’s The Late Late Show, Mescal praised her insights as being “spot on,” shedding light on the challenges and fears that women navigate daily.
The star of Gladiator II expressed no surprise at the immense response her remarks received on social media, recognizing the significant importance of such conversations in today’s society. “You’re on a talk show like this, and you’re kind of just talking… but I’m not surprised that the message received as much attention that it got,” Mescal added, highlighting the relevance of Ronan’s words.
Ronan, who is currently starring in the Oscar-tipped film Blitz, received enthusiastic applause from the audience for her candid statements on The Graham Norton Show. This viral clip continued to trend on social media for days after the episode aired, resonating deeply with countless viewers who related to her experiences.
Later sharing her thoughts with Virgin Radio UK, Ronan described the reaction to her comments as “wild” and “definitely not something that I had expected,” reflecting on the unexpected engagement her remarks generated.
She noted, “I think there’s something really telling about the society that we’re in right now and about how open women want to be with the men in their lives,” and emphasized that discussions about women’s experiences are crucial and should be more frequent.
Ronan further explained that the conversation she initiated mirrored discussions she often has with friends, stating it’s an experience they face “every single day, 100%.”
She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to open up this dialogue, stating it’s “amazing” that such moments can encourage more women to share their experiences with confidence.
She appreciated that the men on the show were supportive and accepting of her message, mentioning that Mescal “completely gets” the issue, as they had discussed it previously.
Her remarks were widely praised at the time, with many commentators lauding her for drawing attention to the harsh realities faced by women today.
After Ronan made her compelling points, there was a brief, reflective silence in the studio, quickly followed by enthusiastic applause from the audience, while the men on the couch—including Graham Norton—nodded in acknowledgment of her important message.
Ronan was on the show to discuss her role in Blitz, where she portrays Rita, a mother bravely navigating the turmoil of World War II in search of her son amidst the chaos in London.
Meanwhile, Normal People star Paul Mescal is currently seen in the highly anticipated Gladiator II, Ridley Scott’s sequel to the 2000 classic, which has garnered a mixed response from film critics and fans alike.
How did Saoirse Ronan react to the overwhelming response from audiences about her comments on women’s safety?
**Interview with Saoirse Ronan**
**Editor:** Welcome, Saoirse! Thank you for joining us today. I want to start by discussing your recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show. Your insights on women’s safety sparked a lot of conversation. How did you feel about the reactions to your comments?
**Saoirse Ronan:** Thanks for having me! It was honestly a bit surreal. I didn’t expect the reactions to be so overwhelming. I think it speaks volumes about the issues at hand that so many people resonated with what was said.
**Editor:** Paul Mescal mentioned that you “hit the nail on the head.” What motivated you to bring up the topic of women’s safety during that chat?
**Saoirse Ronan:** It’s a conversation that we need to have more openly. As women, we are constantly aware of our surroundings and the potential threats we face, which is something that often goes unspoken. It felt crucial to underscore that reality.
**Editor:** Eddie Redmayne shared a rather intriguing story about preparing for a role, where he was advised to use a phone as a weapon. What are your thoughts on that kind of advice?
**Saoirse Ronan:** It’s absurd when you think about it. In a real attack situation, the last thing on your mind would be to retrieve a phone! It highlights a larger issue—women shouldn’t have to think about self-defense in everyday life.
**Editor:** Your comments seemed to resonate widely, with the clip trending for days. What do you think made your message so relatable to audiences?
**Saoirse Ronan:** I think it was the honesty and shared experiences. So many women live with these concerns every day, and when someone vocalizes that reality, it creates an immediate connection.
**Editor:** You shared that the reaction was “wild.” Can you elaborate on what surprised you most about the response?
**Saoirse Ronan:** Yes, absolutely! I was surprised by how many people reached out to share their own stories. It showed that this is a conversation we need to keep having, and it was great to see so many people willing to engage with it publicly.
**Editor:** You expressed that you believed the attention your remarks received was deserved. Why do you think conversations like this are so important in today’s society?
**Saoirse Ronan:** It’s vital because awareness can lead to change. By talking openly about these issues, we can help shift perspectives and hopefully influence a safer environment for everyone.
**Editor:** Thank you so much for your time, Saoirse! Your willingness to discuss such important matters is inspiring. We look forward to seeing more of your work in Blitz and beyond!
**Saoirse Ronan:** Thank you! I appreciate the support and the opportunity to share these thoughts.
