Helen Mirren is backing Saoirse Ronan to win the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in Brooklyn saying "just give her the Oscar already".
The 70-year-old actress lavished praise at the 21-year-old Carlow star and said she hopes that their paths cross in the near future.
"Just give her the Oscar already," Mirren told Woman’s Way. "Because oh my word, Saoirse was absolutely astounding in that film [Brooklyn]."
"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," she added.
Saoirse Ronan and Domhnall Gleeson in Brooklyn
Oscar winner Mirren said she hopes she gets to chat to Ronan in person one day sayin, "I certainly hope that our paths cross professionally some day."
Mirren's support comes after Ronan appeared alongside her and a group of Hollywood leading ladies on the front cover of Vanity Fair's latest edition, which was shot by the legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz. The feature focusses on 'Hollywood's Fiercest Women.'
Jane Fonda, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Viola Davis, Charlotte Rampling, Brie Larson, Rachel Weisz, Lupita Nyong'o, Alicia Vikander, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Helen Mirren, Saoirse Ronan and Diane Keaton all star on the three page fold-out cover of Vanity Fair
While Mirren may be backing Ronan for Oscar glory at the end of the month, Room's Brie Larson is the hot favourite to take home the coveted Best Actress trophy, with her performance already earning her Golden Globe, Critics Choice and Screen Actors Guild awards.
Carol's Cate Blanchett, Joy's Jennifer Lawrence and 45 Years star Charlotte Rampling are also nominated for Best Actress.
The 88th Academy Awards take place in Hollywood on February 28.
