Jessie Buckley, the current frontrunner to win the Best Actress Oscar in March 2026, has revealed she faced significant industry resistance to landing her latest leading role, describing herself as the 'least bankable' choice for studios.
From Oscar Frontrunner to 'Least Bankable' Star
The 36-year-old Irish actress has captivated critics and awards voters with her raw, powerful performance as Agnes (Anne Hathaway) in Chloe Zhao's film adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel, Hamnet. Her portrayal has propelled her to the top of the bookmakers' lists, making her the odds-on favourite to win the Academy Award ahead of established stars like Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence. This position was solidified by her recent win at the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, 7th January 2026.
However, in a stark contrast to this critical acclaim, Buckley has disclosed that securing the lead role opposite Christian Bale in Maggie Gyllenhaal's ambitious new project, Bride!, was a major struggle. The film, described by Vogue as a provocative Gothic horror update on a subplot from Frankenstein, has a rumoured budget of £50 million.
'Being completely honest, nobody wanted me to do that film,' Buckley stated in a new interview. She pointed out that despite her 2022 Oscar nomination for The Lost Daughter, her lack of blockbuster franchise experience and social media presence made her a risky proposition in the eyes of studio executives. 'I'm probably the least bankable [choice]. Like the security or the riskiness was... It was difficult for them.'
Director's Unwavering Faith Secures the Role
Buckley's casting was ultimately secured only through the unwavering insistence of director Maggie Gyllenhaal, who previously directed Buckley to her first Oscar nomination. Gyllenhaal reportedly told the studio, 'Sorry, I'm not doing it without her.'
The filmmaker heaped praise on Buckley's unique abilities, comparing the role's demands to those faced by Emma Stone in La La Land but with a dark, Gothic edge. 'Who else could have done it? Jessie's able to hold the entire spectrum of human experience inside of her,' Gyllenhaal said, highlighting the depth required for the part.
This depth is precisely what has been celebrated in Hamnet, where Buckley plays the wife of William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal). Critics have singled out her performance as a career-defining moment, with Metro's review stating the film 'truly belongs to the magnificent Buckley' and heralding her 'startlingly raw performance of grief'.
Bookmakers Declare Her Oscar Victory a 'Formality'
The betting markets now overwhelmingly back Buckley for Oscar glory. Leading bookmakers have slashed her odds dramatically following her Critics Choice win.
Paddy Power lists her as the 1/7 odds-on favourite, with a spokesperson remarking, 'At odds of 1/7, Jessie Buckley winning Best Actress looks a formality, and they might as well crack on and start engraving the statue now.'
Coral and Ladbrokes have her at 1/6. Coral's John Hill noted her surge to the top of the betting, while Ladbrokes' Alex Apati called her 'a shoo-in', suggesting only Rose Byrne could pose a threat, which would now be considered a major upset.
The current best actress Oscar odds from major bookmakers are:
- Jessie Buckley – 1/7 (Paddy Power), 1/6 (Coral & Ladbrokes)
- Rose Byrne – 6/1, 5/1
- Renate Reinsve – 10/1, 16/1
- Emma Stone – 16/1, 25/1
- Jennifer Lawrence – 25/1
Buckley's journey underscores a striking paradox in modern Hollywood: even as she stands on the cusp of winning the industry's highest honour for acting, the commercial machinery of the film business still views her as a financial risk, a perception only overcome by a director's fierce artistic conviction.
