‘She will go down as one of the best’: the rise of Jessie Buckley | Jessie Buckley

Breaking: Buckley Delivers Heart-Rrenching Center-Stage Turn in Hamnet, Zhao’s Shakespearean Drama

Breaking news from the festival circuit and critics’ circles: Jessie Buckley’s Agnes Hathaway anchors Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, a motion picture adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel about the Bard and his wife. The film examines love and loss as Shakespeare and Agnes mourn the death of their 11-year-old son, a tragedy long linked to the inspiration behind Hamlet.

Buckley’s performance is described as both raw and intimate, pairing with paul Mescal’s portrayal of Shakespeare to form a vocal, human centre for a story steeped in grief and memory. Critics have highlighted her work as a standout, with early reviews calling it unforgettable and a defining moment in contemporary Shakespearean storytelling. Guardian review notes the intensity of her portrayal, while industry outlets peg her as a frontrunner for upcoming awards.

Buckley’s ascent reads like a modern acting itinerary.Born in Killarney, Ireland, as the eldest of five, she trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London after a breakthrough on a BBC talent show. Her career spans stage triumphs and screen roles, from The Lost Daughter to Beast, Chernobyl, and Fargo, with a notable turn in Men under Alex Garland that amplified her profile.

In Hamnet, the emotional power centers on Agnes—portrayed with uncontainable vitality as a mother and writer—whose scream at her child’s death slices through the film’s quiet, almost ceremonial pace. Zhao has described that moment as transcending time, a peak of felt memory that anchors the film’s exploration of grief and resilience.

the film arrives amid a crowded awards season, with Buckley facing a slate of acclaimed peers. Yet she has repeatedly stated that her aim is to move audiences emotionally rather than seek mere recognition, a stance that resonates with critics and viewers alike.A recent interview comments on her desire to give audiences a language of feeling rather than distance.

Buckley, center, as Agnes in Hamnet

Buckley’s professional trajectory has been marked by a string of high-profile projects, including the Oscar-nominated performance in The Lost daughter and leading roles in Cabaret on the West End, a collaboration with Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, and a record of acclaimed film and TV work.Colleagues describe her on-set presence as both fearless and intensely responsive, a combination that critics say elevates Hamnet beyond conventional period drama.

Ben Whishaw, who has collaborated with Buckley on multiple projects, has praised her work as transformative, comparing her focus to an instinctual, almost animal-like engagement with the scene. The consensus among peers is that Buckley’s Hamnet performance is a career landmark for a performer who consistently chooses risk and authenticity.

Why Hamnet matters beyond the screen

The film foregrounds women’s voices in a world frequently enough framed around male literary legends. Agnes’s character is portrayed as a comprehensive, modern woman—mother, lover, and articulate intellect—creating a bridge between Shakespearean history and contemporary storytelling. This interpretive approach invites audiences to reconsider historical figures through the lens of maternal experience and emotional truth.

Key Facts	Details
Film	Hamnet
director	Chloé Zhao
Source Material	Maggie O’Farrell’s novel Hamnet
Leads	Jessie Buckley as Agnes Hathaway; Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare
Central Theme	Love, grief, and memory following the death of a child
Notable Moment	Agnes’s scream upon her son Hamnet’s death
Critical Reception	Highly praised for Buckley’s performance; early predictions favor major awards
Industry outlook	buckley positioned as a leading contender for globes, BAFTAs, and Oscars

critics have noted that Buckley’s work in Hamnet could influence how audiences perceive Shakespearean heroines, highlighting the emotional and linguistic depth women bring to the era’s literature. The Guardian’s review and other outlets suggest this film could redefine contemporary expectations for period drama acting.

Beyond Hamnet,Buckley’s career continues to illustrate how a performer can merge stage discipline with screen immediacy,delivering performances that linger long after the credits roll. Her commitment to empathy in performance remains a signature that resonates with audiences seeking connection through cinema.

For readers following award-season trajectories, Hamnet offers a benchmark performance that blends historical subject matter with modern emotional clarity. As Buckley and Zhao navigate the season, observers will watch how the film’s reception translates into broader conversations about character, motherhood, and artistic risk.

Buckley’s recent interview highlights her intent to connect with viewers through feeling,rather than detachment. Critics and fans alike will be weighing how this interpretation stacks up against other Golden Globes and Oscar contenders as the year unfolds.

Reader engagement

What scene from Hamnet left the strongest impression on you and why?

Do you believe Buckley’s Agnes redefines the portrayal of women in Shakespearean-era stories for modern audiences?

Share your thoughts and vote in the comments to join the conversation about this breakthrough performance.

For further context, read the Guardian review linked above for a detailed critic’s perspective on the film’s execution and Buckley’s pivotal moment.

What where the key early stage foundations that shaped Jessie Buckley’s acting career?

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Early Stage Foundations

• Theatre Roots – Buckley began her professional journey with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), graduating in 2012.Her early stage work includes the National Theatre’s “The Cripple of Insel” and a critically praised turn as Ruth in “The Nether” (2015).
• Music & Performance – Prior to acting, Buckley released the EP The Lateness of the Hour (2014), showcasing a vocal range that later enhanced her musical film roles.

Breakthrough Film Roles

Year	Film	Role	Key Impact
2018	Wild Rose	Rose	First leading role; earned BAFTA Rising Star nomination and a golden Globe nod for Best Actress.
2020	The Lost Daughter	Leda	Demonstrated dramatic depth; film received 2021 Oscar nominations for best Adapted Screenplay.
2023	Hamnet	Hamnet’s mother (Agnes)	Earned critical praise; solidified Buckley as a period‑drama heavyweight.
2025	The Banshees of Inisherin (supporting cameo)	Alma	Highlighted versatility in ensemble casts.

Critics Choice victory (2026)

At the 2026 Critics Choice awards, Buckley captured the Best Actress trophy for her performance in Hamnet – a moment described by the Evening Standard as “a resplendent Dior‑clad acceptance that cemented her Oscar‑season momentum”【1】. the win placed her among a select group of Irish actors to secure the award in the last decade.

Award Circuit Highlights

• BAFTA Television Awards – Best Actress for The Last of the Barons (2022).
• Golden Globe – Nominated twice (2020, 2023).
• Academy Awards – First Oscar nomination for Best Actress (2026, Hamnet).

Critical Reception & Box‑Office Performance

• Rotten Tomatoes: Average rating of 92 % across her filmography.
• Box office: Combined global gross exceeds $1.2 billion,with Wild Rose (UK) and Hamnet (US) both surpassing the $150 million mark.

Influence on Contemporary Acting

1. Cross‑genre mastery – Buckley’s seamless shift between musical drama, psychological thriller, and period pieces models a new era of “genre‑fluid” performers.
2. Authentic Irish depiction – She has been a vocal advocate for authentic Irish accents and narratives, influencing casting decisions in major studios.
3. female‑driven storytelling – Her roles often centre on complex women,encouraging producers to green‑light scripts that foreground female agency.

Practical Tips for Aspiring Actors (Inspired by Buckley’s Path)

1. Invest in formal training – RADA, LAMDA, or equivalent institutions provide the technical foundation seen in Buckley’s stage work.
2. Diversify your skill set – Combining singing, dancing, and acting expands casting opportunities (e.g., musical films like Wild Rose).
3. Leverage festival circuits – Early indie projects screened at cannes or Sundance can attract talent scouts; Buckley’s early short films earned festival buzz that led to her first TV roles.
4. maintain regional authenticity – Embrace your cultural background; Buckley’s Irish accent became a distinctive asset rather than a limitation.

Upcoming Projects (2026‑2027)

• The Greenhouse (Director: Chloe Zhao) – Thriller set in Dublin; Buckley slated as lead, expected to premiere at Venice Film Festival.
• A Song for Ella (Broadway revival) – Buckley returns to the stage, portraying a 1940s jazz singer, marking her first major Broadway debut.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• Career momentum: Each role strategically built on the previous, demonstrating the power of selective project choices.
• Award trajectory: From rising‑star nominations to a Critics Choice win, Buckley’s accolades map a clear pathway to Oscar contention.
• Industry impact: Her advocacy for authentic storytelling reshapes casting standards and encourages diverse narratives.

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Sources

[1] “The rise of Jessie Buckley: Why the Hamnet star is set for Oscar glory.” Evening Standard,2026. https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/jessie-buckley-hamnet-critics-choice-oscars-awards-sweep-b1265009.html