London, UK – Jessie Buckley is captivating audiences and critics alike in Hamnet, the highly anticipated film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling 2020 novel. The film, co-starring Paul Mescal and directed by Chloé Zhao, explores the emotional depths of love, grief, and motherhood while delving into the personal life of William Shakespeare and his family.

Buckley plays Agnes, historically known as Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife, who is at the heart of the story. Far from being just a supporting figure in the playwright’s life, Agnes is portrayed as a fully realized woman—mother, lover, and individual—whose experiences inspire Shakespeare’s creation of Hamlet.

“It was honestly one of the biggest privileges of my life to live beside and inside this amazing woman, Agnes,” Buckley told BBC News. “She was the full story of what I understand a woman to be… and their capacity as women, and as mothers, and as lovers, and as people who have a language unto their own beside gigantic men of literature like Shakespeare.”

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Jessie Buckley: From Talent Show Contestant to Oscar Contender

Buckley first gained attention in 2008 as a finalist on BBC One’s I’d Do Anything, where she competed for the role of Nancy in Oliver Twist. Since then, she has built an impressive career, earning accolades for performances in Wild Rose (BAFTA-nominated) and The Lost Daughter (Oscar-nominated).

In Hamnet, Buckley navigates uncharted emotional territory, portraying the profound grief of a mother who has lost a child.

“I was conscious and scared of whether I could portray the character and story as honestly and bravely and humanly as possible,” she says. “I hadn’t been a mother or lost a child myself… but I know love. That has to be enough to reach the heart of the story.”

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The Cast and Creative Team

Directed by Chloé Zhao, who won the Oscar for Nomadland, Hamnet brings together a stellar cast including Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet, and Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare. Zhao worked closely with O’Farrell to adapt the novel for the screen, capturing the subtle dynamics of family life and grief.

Critics have largely praised the film:

• The Telegraph: “Couldn’t have been done any better.”
• The Times: Buckley delivers “one of those performances that is for the ages.”
• The Wrap: Buckley is “nothing less than magical.”

Some reviewers were more critical, noting that the film’s emotional cues occasionally felt overt, and that it lacks the playful wit often associated with Shakespeare.

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The Emotional Heart of the Film

A standout sequence takes place at The Globe Theatre, where Agnes presses against the stage during the first performance of Hamlet. Buckley describes the filming as intensely challenging, spending ten days immersed in the emotional landscape of grief and communal catharsis.

“I felt terrified, overwhelmed, completely lost… By day six, they were crying, I was crying, I was holding them up. The openness and bravery of humanity… it was extraordinary.”

The scene symbolizes not only Agnes’ personal journey but the universal experience of loss, mourning, and love.

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Oscar Buzz and Audience Reception

With recent award-season buzz, Jessie Buckley’s portrayal of Agnes is widely tipped as a front-runner for Best Actress at the 2026 Oscars. Despite the speculation, Buckley emphasizes her focus on sharing the story and celebrating the work of the cast and crew, rather than the accolades themselves.

“I’m so proud of this film. I’m so excited to share it with the world… You make it for an audience. The rest is out of my control,” she laughs.

Hamnet is set for release in UK cinemas on 9 January 2026, promising a deeply moving cinematic experience that bridges historical narrative with timeless human emotion.