Saoirse Ronan says her ‘Little Women’ character would have experimented with her sexuality
The actress portrays lead character Jo March in Greta Gerwig's new adaptation
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Saoirse Ronan can see her Little Women character ‘experimenting with her sexuality’.
Greta Gerwig’s new adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s Civil War-era novel features a stellar cast including Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh and Emma Watson.
Focusing on themes of female freedom and sexuality, Ronan believes the new adaptation is the first time her character’s, Jo March, sexuality has been addressed.
Speaking to Out Magazine, Ronan opened up about her character – who has previously been coded as queer – and said: “This the first time in any adaption of the book that [her sexuality has] even in some way been addressed.
“That actually comes from Louisa’s words. And yeah, I think that what I did really love about her is that she didn’t sort of put a lid on it.
“It was something that she was willing to acknowledge.
“And I think she was self-aware enough to know that there was something different about her and something that made her sort of different from even her other sisters.
“And I think if she had had the language or even a term that she could use to go, ‘Oh, maybe this is how I feel,’ or ‘This is what I am and that’s okay. And there’s a safe space for this.’
“And totally I could see her definitely experimenting with her sexuality, for sure.”