Jessie Buckley has won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in “Hamnet,” becoming the first Irish actress to receive the honor. The award was presented Sunday evening in Los Angeles during the 98th Academy Awards ceremony.
Buckley’s win, widely anticipated throughout awards season, recognized her portrayal of Agnes, William Shakespeare’s wife, in the Chloé Zhao-directed adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel. She previously secured a SAG Award, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for the same role. The Hollywood Reporter noted Buckley’s victory as one of the few “sure bets” of the night.
In her acceptance speech, Buckley expressed gratitude to the other nominees in the category – Rose Byrne (“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”), Kate Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”), Renate Reinsve (“Sentimental Value”), and Emma Stone (“Bugonia”) – acknowledging their talent and artistry. She also dedicated the award to “the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart,” a sentiment particularly resonant as the win coincided with Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom. Buckley, who has an eight-month-old daughter, spoke of her love for motherhood and her excitement to “discover life” with her child.
“Hamnet” received a total of eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, but Buckley’s win was the sole Oscar claimed by the film. The Guardian reported that Buckley’s performance as Agnes had been a favorite to win after her successes in preceding awards ceremonies.
Even as Emma Stone has won two Oscars and received five nominations, including this year’s for “Bugonia,” Rose Byrne, after a Golden Globe win for best actress in a comedy, was recognized by the Academy for her function in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” Kate Hudson’s nomination for “Song Sung Blue” was considered somewhat unexpected, mirroring past Oscar nominations that generated limited pre-ceremony discussion. Renate Reinsve, lauded for her performance in “The Worst Person in the World,” also received a nomination for “Sentimental Value.”
Buckley was previously nominated for an Oscar in 2022 for her supporting role in “The Lost Daughter.” Her win marks a significant moment for Irish representation at the Academy Awards, as she is the first Irish actress to win in the Best Actress category, though Saoirse Ronan and Ruth Negga had previously been nominated.
