Saoirse Ronan has revealed how her remarks about women’s safety left fellow actors Paul Mescal, Eddie Redmayne and Denzel Washington "humbled" during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show.
The Blitz actress, 30, made the powerful statement in a moment that went viral, stunning the audience and her fellow guests into silence.
The exchange followed a discussion led by Oscar-winner Redmayne, 42, who shared that he had been taught how to use a phone as a weapon during training for his role as a lone assassin in the Sky Atlantic series The Day Of The Jackal.
In response, Mescal, 28, said: “If someone attacks me I’m not going to go (reaches into pocket) phone”, before Blitz actress Ronan chimed in and said: “That’s what girls have to think about all the time. Am I right ladies?”.
Ronan's comments struck a chord with viewers and sparked widespread praise online for addressing an important issue.
Speaking on the Table Manners with Jessie Ware podcast, she said she didn't expect the interview to go viral in the way it did.
She said: “I didn't expect this sort of reaction, I am incredibly refreshed and proud. I think we can do it in a calm manner. We have to keep it in context, the lads didn't hear my comments and then say, what are you talking about? They were [humbled].”
Ronan admitted she initially feared that she had come across badly during the interview and went for a drink with Mescal afterward to decompress.
She said: “Most of the show is there but it is edited. I came away from filming it, Paul and I went for a drink afterwards, and I was so in my head about it.
“I was like, I thought I was s***e on that tonight. I forgot everything that had been said. Maybe two days later once it had aired, I was anxious about it airing, then my best mate said, everyone's contacting me about the phone comment.
“I'm very grateful for one comment that I've made to have started a conversation that absolutely needs to be had.”
She added: “I think I had a moment being honest where I felt bad. Then I thought, no, no, mustn't do that.
“Because that's the kind of conversation that I would have with my female friends and my male friends, one of which being Paul Mescal.
“The women in my life are very vocal about their experiences. I've never really shied away from that.”
Mescal has previously spoken out on the thought-provoking moment, saying Ronan had been “spot on”.
