Saoirse Ronan fascinated by violent role

(Cover) - EN Movies - Saoirse Ronan was attracted to the "violent" nature of her latest role.

The Irish star rose to fame in films Atonement and The Lovely Bones and is busy promoting fantasy thriller Byzantium with co-star Gemma Arterton.

Saoirse has revealed why the movie - which sees her play a bloodthirsty vampire - drew her in.

The number one reason was the heavily female-dominated cast.

“That is always very appealing to an actress. This story has two lead characters, both female, and that is the first attraction," she smiled to British newspaper the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"The fact that they are the violent ones makes it more interesting."

The star's character, Eleanor, is desperate to tell her unusual tale in the flick.

The 19-year-old let fans in on a bit of background to the story.

“Eleanor is a young girl who has been raised in an orphanage until the age of 16, and was then turned into a vampire by her mother," she revealed.

“We find them at the start of the film 200 years later, when their relationship has become very deep and it’s just the two of them against the world.”

Saoirse has never taken her role as an actress lightly.

Atonement and The Lovely Bones both tackled difficult subjects, which is important for the pretty blonde.

“There are a lot of projects now that aren’t just kind of ‘teeny bop’ films. They’re quality films and they’re centred around young people,” she explained.

"You still have the other types as well, which is fine, but I’m seeing more quality projects now which is good. I do feel like a bit of an old soul sometimes."