(Photo: Getty Images) 
We were first introduced to Saoirse Ronan in 2007’s Atonement. Her character kicked off the story and caused major conflict, but Keira Knightley and James McAvoy were there to help with the heavy lifting.
These days, Ronan isn’t just taking the lead, but in some cases, she’s carrying the whole film.
That’s a lot of pressure for one person, but we can always count on her to bring it.
Let’s take a look back at where she got her start, landing on where she is now:

1. The Clinic

Ronan’s first on-screen role was in the medical drama The Clinic, which she starred in from 2003-2004. The series revolves around the staff of a clinic, based in Dublin, Ireland. Ronan took on the role of Rhiannon Geraghty. At the age of nine, she stepped onto a production set for the first time.
2. Proof

From there, she was spotted in the crime series Proof (2005). Also based in Ireland, the story revolves around an investigative reporter, who ties two crimes together, unearthing a much bigger scandal. Ronan portrayed Orla Boland in four episodes.
3. Atonement

In 2007, Ronan landed on the big screen, starring in Atonement. She takes on the role of a young girl who tells a very wicked lie, which threatens to destroy the lives of those involved. Rather than coming clean and setting things straight, she lets everyone believe it to be true.
4. City of Ember

In 2008, we saw Ronan in the sci-fi flick City of Ember. In an attempt to save the human race, a city is built underground. But there’s a catch — it will only be sustainable for 200 years. While Ronan’s character is but a child, she realizes what’s coming… that it’s a countdown to doomsday.
5. The Lovely Bones

We saw Ronan in the 2009 film adaptation of The Lovely Bones. The story revolves around a young girl (Ronan) who is abducted and murdered, but she’s not gone-gone. She is still able to watch over her family and help them get past the loss. And, also, watch over the killer and make sure he doesn’t do bad.
6. Hanna  

In 2011, Ronan stepped into the action thriller genre, starring in Hanna. She portrays a 16-year-old girl who was raised from a young age to be an assassin. Now that she’s a bit older, but not quite grown up, she’s ready to go on a mission of her own, which will take her across Europe.
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel  

We saw Ronan in Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel in 2014. The story is narrated by the owner of an aging hotel, who recounts how he started off as a lobby boy. We meet the owner as a young man, who not only is working on his career but his love life. That’s where Ronan comes in, starring as his love interest.
8. Brooklyn  

In 2015, Ronan starred in the romantic drama Brooklyn. She portrays a young Irish woman who moves to the U.S. with hopes of finding work. She finds much more than she was looking for, falling in love with an Italian-American man named Tony. She’s conflicted as to whether she should stay or return home.
9. Lady Bird

In 2017, Ronan teamed up with writer-director Greta Gerwig, starring in Lady Bird. Ronan plays a high schooler on the verge of going to college. Based in California, living with her mom (Laurie Metcalf), the teen would like to go to school on the East Coast. But her mother would prefer she stay closer to home.  
10. Little Women

Ronan and Gerwig reunited for 2019’s Little Women, an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic story. Ronan took the lead, starring as the eldest of the March sisters, Jo. She looks after her siblings, but at the same time, pursues a career in writing. Her aspirations eventually take her to NYC.
Annnd, what’s up next?
We can next look for Ronan in the Scotland-based Outrun. She stars as a woman recently out of rehab, who returns home to the Orkney Island. The feature is based on Amy Liptrot’s 2015 memoir.
Are you impressed by how much work Saoirse Ronan has done over the years?