Anticipation surrounds Saoirse Ronan as she prepares for a competitive Oscar season, showcasing two standout performances that could vie for top accolades.
Variety reports that Ronan is set to compete in the lead actress category for her role in the Sundance favorite “The Outrun” and in the supporting actress category for her performance in the World War II drama “Blitz.”
If she receives both nominations, which is currently anticipated according to Variety’s Awards Circuit predictions, she would be the 13th actor and the youngest to achieve this milestone in the same year.
Historically, seven of the previous twelve actors with dual nominations have gone on to win for at least one of their roles, including legends like Fay Bainter and Al Pacino.
In the upcoming film “Blitz,” which will open the BFI London Film Festival, Ronan portrays Rita, a mother striving to reunite with her 9-year-old son George (played by newcomer Elliott Heffernan) after sending him to the countryside for safety. The film, written and directed by Steve McQueen, features a talented cast that includes Harris Dickinson, Stephen Graham, and Kathy Burke.
On the other hand, “The Outrun” sees Ronan take on the emotionally intense character of Rona, a former addict seeking redemption and healing in the picturesque Orkney Islands. Co-written by Nora Fingscheidt and Amy Liptrot, the film is based on Liptrot’s memoir and also stars Paapa Essiedu and Stephen Dillane.
Ronan also serves as a producer on this project alongside her husband Jack Lowden, Sarah Brocklehurst, and Dominic Norris. Frances McDormand, Jessica Chastain, and Emma Stone are among the three women who have previously won best actress for films they produced.
At just 30 years old, Ronan is considered “overdue” for an Oscar win after receiving four nominations for her remarkable performances in “Atonement” (2007), “Brooklyn” (2015), “Lady Bird” (2017), and “Little Women” (2019).
If she secures nominations for both “Blitz” and “The Outrun,” she will surpass Kate Winslet’s record as the youngest actor to achieve five (or six) nominations, a feat Winslet accomplished at ages 31 and 34 with her films “Little Children” and “The Reader.”
A potential double nomination could mirror Winslet’s Oscar campaign in 2008, during which she aimed for nods for both “Revolutionary Road” and “The Reader.” However, the Academy shifted her performance in the latter to lead, following her success in supporting categories at various awards shows.
According to Academy guidelines, an actor cannot be nominated twice in the same category, though voters can choose to nominate a performer in either lead or supporting roles. As the awards season heats up, attention will be focused on Ronan.
Could she be the next actor to achieve the coveted double nomination? With her dynamic performances in two distinct films, this might be the year she finally secures the Oscar. “The Outrun” is set for theatrical release on Oct. 4, while “Blitz” will premiere in select theaters on Nov. 1 before becoming available for global streaming on Apple TV+ on Nov. 22.