Helen Mirren has revealed that she is backing Saoirse Ronan for the Best Actress Oscar.
Helen Mirren
Ronan has picked up her first Best Actress nomination for her central performance in the critically acclaim Brooklyn, which saw her team up with filmmaker John Crowley.
Mirren says that she is a 'big fan' of the young actress and would like to see her win the prestigious prize later this month.
Speaking to Woman's Way magazine, Mirren said:"Just give her the Oscar already. Because oh my word, Saoirse was absolutely astounding in that film.
"She's outstanding in whatever she does. I'm a big fan. It's incredible to have that much power and vulnerability and wisdom at her age, so, so young. It's really remarkable."
This is the second Oscar nomination of Ronan's career, after being nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Atonement.
Ronan has already been in the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild mix, but has lost out on both occasions to Brie Larson for her central performance in Room.
Larson is the favourite for the Best Actress Oscar as she and Ronan are nominated alongside Cate Blanchett (Carol), Jennifer Lawrence (Joy), and Charlotte Rampling (45 Years).
Mirren was nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards at the weekend, for her performances in Woman In Gold and Trumbo.
The Oscar winner returns to the big screen this week with Trumbo, a biopic about Hollywood screenwriter
Dalton Trumbo. Mirren will rake on the role of American actress Hedda Hopper in the film.
Mirren has also completed work on Eye in the Sky, which is set to hit the big screen in the UK later this year.
The Oscar winners will be announced on February 28th.
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