Back on screens: Saoirse Ronan’s dad to join Fair City later this year

He's been one of the driving forces behind his daughter's success but now Paul Ronan is stepping out into the spotlight himself.

Saoirse Ronan's dad Paul has landed a part on Fair City. Paul's a longtime actor, having appeared in shows including Striking Out, The Tudors and Ballykissangel. The new gig will see him join the cast of the RTÉ soap in a long-term role, according to the Sun. He'll play Anto Collins, the father of sisters Hayley and Harmony. The character will make a splash when he arrives in Carrickstown with his wife Sharon, played by actress Neili Connor. "The Collins family are set to make quite a stir," a source told the publication. "They certainly not The ­Waltons so viewers can expect to see lots of drama as Sharon and Anto join Hayley and Harmony." He'll make his debut on the soap in early March. Saoirse, who's within reach of an Oscar this year for her star turn in film Lady Bird, credits her dad for helping her get into the entertainment industry. She was born in New York where Paul and her mother lived in the early nineties while trying to break into acting there. "They had to struggle for a long time," Saoirse previously said. "Ma watched dad lose out on parts or star in shows off-off-Broadway and make buttons. "She watched these really talented people never get the shot they deserved. So they prepared me to be realistic."