(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Saoirse Ronan says Harry Potter is "a part of her life" she can't believe is ending.

The 17-year-old actress is upset that the recent instalment of the hugely popular fantasy wizard franchise is the final one.

The star, whose latest role saw her play a teenage assassin in Hanna, is sad to see the end of the successful film series starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson because it's meant to much to her over the years.

"I can't believe it's the last one. I've basically grown up with Harry Potter, as so many kids my age have. It's kind of a part of my life. I'll go see it no matter what," she insisted in an interview with British newspaper The Independent.

Saoirse auditioned for the role of Harry's fellow Hogwarts pupil Luna Lovegood at the age of 12, with the part eventually given to Evanna Lynch. Despite longing for the much sought after part, in hindsight the Irish star realises she was not old enough to tackle it.

"I was too young but at the time I thought, 'I'd love to be in Harry Potter.' When I was younger, I used to think they had the best job in the world," she said.

Things have changed for the star since her Harry Potter audition days however. The stunning blonde came to international prominence in 2007 after co-starring alongside Keira Knightley and James McAvoy in Atonement. The drama gained her nominations for a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for best supporting actress, making her one of the youngest stars to have that kind of recognition.

Saoirse has since appeared in several Hollywood films including The Lovely Bones and The Way Back, and hopes to continue on with her hard-hitting, adult film roles, despite her young age.

"At the age I'm at, it's a tricky time to try and figure out which is the best project for me to do," she said. "I've never really felt like I was a child actor. Just an actor who happened to be quite young." (C) Cover Media