London, UK – Maggie O’Farrell, the acclaimed author of the Oscar-tipped film Hamnet, has revealed that she always envisioned Paul Mescal in the role of William Shakespeare when adapting her award-winning novel for the screen.

Based on O’Farrell’s 2020 book, Hamnet offers a poignant, fictionalized account of Shakespeare, his wife Agnes (historically Anne Hathaway), and their family. The story delves into the profound grief following the death of their son, Hamnet, and explores how that loss may have inspired Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Hamlet.

“I saw [Mescal] years ago at the Gate Theatre playing Stephen Dedalus… even then he stood out a mile,” O’Farrell told BBC News. “There is an interesting thematic link between Stephen Dedalus and Hamlet, so I always kept saying Paul Mescal, Paul Mescal.”

---

Jessie Buckley: The “Dream Agnes”

O’Farrell, who co-wrote the screenplay with director Chloé Zhao, also praised Jessie Buckley for her portrayal of Agnes.

“She is a dream Agnes. She does an incredible job inhabiting that character,” O’Farrell said.

The author joked that upon hearing about the casting, she asked Zhao: “Did you actually do any auditions or did you just go on holiday to Ireland?” The film carries a subtle Irish essence, reflecting O’Farrell’s heritage—born in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, and raised in Wales and Scotland.

---

Bringing 16th Century Life to the Screen

O’Farrell immersed herself in hands-on historical research to authentically depict the women in Shakespeare’s life.

“I did learn to fly a kestrel, which is actually the most fun thing I have ever done in the name of work,” she said. “I made bread using a Tudor recipe, planted an Elizabethan medicinal garden, and went on a course to turn plants into medicines.”

In the novel and film, Agnes is rumored to be the daughter of a forest witch. She is frequently shown caring for her pet hawk and preparing herbal remedies, reflecting both domestic and mystical aspects of her character.

Despite initial hesitation about screenwriting, O’Farrell found collaboration with Zhao rewarding:

“She’s very good at the macro vision of what the film needed to be and had a clear idea of which threads of the book she was going to keep. Meanwhile, I could help with crafting 16th Century dialogue and intimate character moments.”

O’Farrell described herself as a “neek”—a playful mix of nerd and geek—thanks to her love of historical detail.

---

Awards Buzz and Release

Hamnet has already attracted six Golden Globe nominations, including:

• Best Actress in a Drama – Jessie Buckley
• Best Supporting Male Actor – Paul Mescal

The film, directed by Chloé Zhao (Nomadland), also stars Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, and Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet. It is slated for release in UK cinemas on 9 January 2026.

Critics have widely praised Buckley and Mescal’s performances, highlighting the emotional depth and humanity brought to the story of Shakespeare’s family, while some note the film’s intimate, domestic focus may not appeal to traditional Shakespeare enthusiasts.