Saoirse Ronan Embraces Sheep Farming for ‘The Outrun’

Saoirse Ronan, who played the lead in “Lady Bird”.“Little Women” and “Mary Queen of Scots,” is an actress that dives into each character she plays. For her latest movie. The Outrun, Ronan had to learn a completely unexpected skill she didn’t expect—sheep farming.

The Plot for The Outrun Saoirse Ronan 

Based on Amy Liptrot’s memoir which won several awards, The Outrun follows Rona who goes back to her homeland in Orkney where she needs to deal with her past and addictions. As part of this process, she becomes involved in farming with her father: feeding animals or helping birth lambs. To genuinely play Rona, Ronan decided it necessary to undertake these tasks herself.

Learning to Lamb Saoirse Ronan 

In an interview with BBC Scotland News, Ronan shared her experience of lambing for the film. “Oh, I was lambing,” she said. “I don’t think you can fake that, as you’ll see from the film.” She learned by observing local farmers and mimicking their techniques, with guidance from a young farmer named Kyle, who oversaw three farms on the Orkney mainland.

The real challenge came when Ronan had to deliver a lamb on camera. “When you pull a lamb out at first, they look like they’re dead,” she explained. “They are pretty lifeless, and the first time you do it, you worry you’ll hurt them, but you do have to be quite rough.” Despite her initial fear, Ronan grew more confident after her first successful lambing, though she admitted it was one of the most challenging acting experiences she’s ever had.

A Personal Connection to the Story

Ronan’s connection to The Outrun began during lockdown when her husband, Scottish actor Jack Lowden, introduced her to the book. Lowden had discovered the memoir during a visit to the Orkney Islands, where he was researching explorer John Rae. After finishing the book, he handed it to Ronan and told her, “This is the next role that you need to play.”

Ronan quickly agreed, drawn not only to the story but also to Amy Liptrot’s poetic and relatable prose. The couple, both producers on the film, were committed to capturing the raw beauty and challenges of the Orkney Islands on screen.

Filming in Orkney

Filming The Outrun presented unique challenges due to the unpredictable Orcadian weather. Director Nora Fingscheidt and the crew had to adapt their schedule to the natural elements. Returning to the islands multiple times throughout 2022 to capture different seasons. Despite the difficulties, Ronan, Fingscheidt, and the team were determined to authentically portray the environment. Which plays a crucial role in the film.

The production was supported by residents, including those who knew Amy Liptrot and her family. The late Dave Gray, a former BBC journalist, lent his voice to the radio news in the film. Adding another layer of authenticity to the project.