The emotional epicentre of Chloé Zhao's acclaimed new film, Hamnet, is not William Shakespeare, but his wife, Agnes. Portrayed with devastating power by Irish actor Jessie Buckley, the performance is being hailed as a career-defining moment, propelling the 36-year-old to the forefront of this year's major awards season.
From Kerry to the Critics' Circle
Buckley's journey to becoming a leading Oscar, Bafta, and Golden Globe contender is a story of relentless artistic evolution. Born in Killarney, County Kerry, she first entered the public eye in 2008 as a contestant on the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything, finishing as runner-up. She later described the experience as "brutalising," but it was a stepping stone to formal training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) in London.
Her post-Rada career blossomed on stage, with notable roles in The Tempest at Shakespeare's Globe and opposite Jude Law in Henry V. On screen, she built a formidable reputation through series like War & Peace and Chernobyl, and a stunning film debut in 2018's psychological thriller Beast. Director Michael Pearce noted her unique intensity, saying she was "like she was a raw nerve who felt everything intensely."
The 'Hamnet' Breakthrough and Industry Acclaim
Buckley's portrayal of Agnes Hathaway in Hamnet, opposite Paul Mescal's Shakespeare, has united critics. The film, an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell's novel, explores the couple's grief after the death of their young son. Buckley's performance, particularly in a scene where she unleashes an unfiltered scream of anguish, has been singled out for its visceral power. Director Chloé Zhao said the moment came from "beyond past, present and future."
This role follows a series of acclaimed performances that cemented her status. Her supporting turn as a younger Olivia Colman in The Lost Daughter (2021) earned her a first Oscar nomination. A year later, she won an Olivier Award for her lead role in the West End revival of Cabaret. Her Cabaret director, Rebecca Frecknall, captured Buckley's essence, stating she is "so live all of the time, like she has one less layer of skin than anyone else."
Co-stars are equally effusive. Rory Kinnear, who starred with her in Men, declared that "everyone that’s worked with [Jessie] knows she will go down as one of the best to ever do it." Ben Whishaw, a colleague on Fargo and Women Talking, compared watching her work to "observing an animal in its natural habitat."
Awards Horizon and Personal Fulfilment
As the awards season heats up, Buckley finds herself in a competitive field alongside actors like Chase Infiniti and Renate Reinsve. She has already secured a Critics' Circle award for Best Actress for Hamnet. Regardless of the outcome, her stated intention remains clear: "to make people feel rather than becoming disembodied, disconnected, disengaged."
Off-screen, life has also transformed. Buckley, who lives in Norfolk with her mental health worker husband, welcomed her first child last year. She has said that playing Agnes in Hamnet gave her a "deep need" to become a mother, blending her profound artistic exploration with personal fulfilment. From a talent show hopeful to one of her generation's most respected and emotionally fearless actors, Jessie Buckley's rise is a testament to the power of raw, committed artistry.
