Saoirse Ronan was knee-deep in lamb goo on the primary day of filming “The Outrun,” a searing take a look at dependancy that premiered on Friday on the Sundance Movie Competition.

Tailored from Amy Liptrot’s best-selling memoir, “The Outrun” facilities on Rona, a recovering alcoholic who returns dwelling to the Orkney Islands in Scotland after spending a hard-living decade in London. Keen to flee the temptations of her former life, she helps out on her father’s sheep farm, the place she isn’t afraid to get her fingers soiled.

“I delivered seven lambs,” she stated proudly on the Selection Studio introduced by Audible. “That was very terrifying. I didn’t know if I used to be going to kill the lamb as I used to be pulling ’em out.”

Following the Sundance premiere of “The Outrun,” the 29-year-old actor sat down to speak about how Beyonce’s “Renaissance” helped her put together for one in every of her meatiest and most demanding roles whereas additionally revealing a deliberate “Barbie” cameo that by no means got here to go.

Congrats in your film’s Sundance premiere. What was it like watching it with an viewers?

Terrifying. It was actually nerve-wracking to see it with an viewers. I’m actually glad it went nicely. I had a giant pizza at midnight, and [then] I used to be sleeping soundly.

How did this venture land in your radar?

We discovered the e-book first. It was launched to me by means of [my partner] Jack Lowden, who additionally produced it and is a proud Scotsman. He had been to the Orkney Islands and had utterly fallen in love with the place, the individuals and the tradition. That’s when he found “The Outrun.” We have been in lockdown just a few years in the past and he stated, “It is advisable learn this as a result of that is the function you want to play.” I immediately fell in love with Amy’s writing and the way she captured the wrestle of dependancy.

You’ve carried out plenty of interval movies, so it is a extra fashionable function than audiences are used to seeing you in. How does your preparation differ for a film that’s set within the current day?

I believe it’s from an exterior perspective. While you’re doing one thing that’s set within the Second World Battle, you’re extra prone to do analysis into the time interval. It is advisable take note of etiquette, how individuals held themselves, communicated and the way intimate they have been with each other bodily. When it’s fashionable, you don’t have to consider that in any respect. There’s an actual freedom.

What’s it wish to develop such a private story with the precise particular person it’s about?

Very intimidating, actually. You’re feeling like there’s plenty of accountability in your shoulders. We delve into her relationships along with her household and mates, a few of whom she misplaced alongside the way in which. For me to guard that whereas additionally nonetheless authentically showcasing her life and what she went by means of, it was tough to seek out the stability initially.

Your character has a Scottish accent. What are the nuances and variations from your personal Irish accent?

Scot-ish. I’ve carried out a totally Scottish accent earlier than [in ‘Mary Queen of Scots’], which I’d like to redo. I stay half my life up in Scotland now, so I’m extra in tune with the accent. Generally, Irish individuals are a bit louder than Scots. The Irish accent is extra spherical and really muscular. Scottish, they maintain all the pieces a bit flatter.

What’s the key to taking part in drunk on display?

It was actually tough. There have been instances I discovered it very upsetting. I made the choice beforehand [about] music and physicality work so I had one thing to carry onto.

What songs did you take heed to whereas filming?

This may be shocking, however [Beyonce’s] “Renaissance” had simply come out. It was plenty of “Renaissance,” which I believe is an ideal album.

Your character has plenty of cathartic dance sequences. What was it wish to movie these?

It was nice. I really feel like I’ve an actual freedom when I’ve the excuse of a digicam being there. I’m very uninhibited once I get to bounce in a scene, even when I look ridiculous.

There are plenty of nature information all through the film. Had been there any enjoyable tidbits that caught with you?

We’ve got 60% of the identical DNA as jellyfish. That’s type of wild. My fascination with seals went to an entire new degree with “The Outrun.”

Rona goes by means of plenty of hair modifications. Did you truly dye your hair or have been you carrying a wig?

We didn’t have the cash for wigs. Kat Morgan, who did the hair and make-up, discovered this clay that was fairly superb. We didn’t spraypaint it. You would simply wash it proper out and alter it to a different coloration.

Do you assume it will be extra terrifying to assist a lamb give delivery or soar out of a transferring automobile like your character does in “Woman Chook”?

Nicely, the one factor I’ve carried out for actual is ship a lamb. That was very terrifying. I didn’t know if I used to be going to kill the lamb as I used to be pulling ’em out. They’ve obtained plenty of goo of their airwaves once they come out, so you must get hay and stick it up their nostril to allow them to sneeze it out and rub them actually aggressively to get the air transferring by means of them. For those who don’t do this, they’ll die. I believe that’s scarier.

That was actual? You truly delivered the lamb?

Sure, I delivered seven lambs. Lambing season takes place at a sure time yearly. In Orkney, it’s round April. We might get to the farm at about 4:30 a.m. We did it for about three or 4 days. I don’t know the way specific you need me to get, however you’d know which ewe was going to enter labor within the subsequent hour. You’d should pinpoint the ewe in a pen of perhaps 40 sheep and sort out it, which is admittedly tough. They’re actually robust and don’t need to be caught. I’ll put my leg on the ewe and ensure she’s calm and stick my hand up her and pull her lamb out. I used to be completely up for doing it, however I used to be actually scared. I grew up within the nation, however not on a farm.

Greta Gerwig stated she would revisit your character in a sequel to “Woman Chook.” Have you ever mentioned it along with her? The place do you see Woman Chook after the movie?

She’s primarily based on Greta so, does she make “Barbie”? I don’t know. [Laughs]. We did talk about whereas we have been making the movie that we might like to revisit it. I’ve heard she’s began speaking about it. I’ll do all the pieces along with her for so long as she’ll have me.

Timothee Chalamet stated you and he have been speculated to have a cameo in “Barbie.” Did you ever discover out who you’d be taking part in in case your schedule labored out?

I don’t know what he was going to be, however I used to be positively going to be Bizarre Barbie. I don’t know the best way to take that. I’d have been with Kate McKinnon, so that will have been good. I had a scene however didn’t ever get to do it, and it wasn’t within the film.

What was the scene?

I can’t even bear in mind now, but it surely was bizarre. I believe I’d be the unusual lady who talked to herself and all the time had her pet canine along with her and all the time talked to the canine and wouldn’t take a look at anybody.