Saoirse Ronan Reveals She Auditioned for Luna Lovegood inHarry Potter: 'I Knew I Wasn't Gonna Get It'

Mar. 15, 2025

Saoirse Ronan and Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood.Photo:Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty; Alamy

Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty; Alamy

Saoirse Ronanwas almost enrolled at Hogwarts.

While appearing onJimmy Kimmel Live!Thursday, Oct. 3, the four-time Oscar nominee, 30, was asked if there were any past roles she regretted not being able to play.

“There’s things that you’ll pass on and then they come out and you think, ‘Oh, God, that was a misstep on my part,” said Ronan.

“But I think the one that stayed with me over the years was — I didn’t say no to it, I just didn’t get the part. I lost, again; it’s a running theme for me.”

“But I had gone up for Luna Lovegood inHarry Potteryears ago,” said Ronan, who has two movies out soon:The OutrunandBlitz. “Because it was like the Irish character, so they got everyone Irish in, like half Ireland come and audition.”

Saoirse Ronan on Jan. 19, 2024.Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

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Ronan recalled that she “knew I wasn’t gonna get it because I was too young, but I got to read out a scene that was gonna be inHarry Potter, and it was the coolest thing ever.”

The character of Luna Lovegood is introduced inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which debuted in theaters in 2007 with then-newcomerEvanna Lynchin the role. That was the same year Ronan’s filmAtonementcame out, earning her her first Oscar nomination at age 13.

Ronan did go on to star in someHarry Potter-adjacent young-adult book-to-screen adaptations, likeCity of Ember,The Lovely Bonesand Stephenie Meyer’sThe Host.

Saoirse Ronan on Oct. 1, 2024.John Lamparski/Getty

John Lamparski/Getty

source: people.com