Agata Grzybowska/Focus Features
Jessie Buckley has emerged as a strong Oscar contender for her transformative portrayal in the historical drama ‘Hamnet,’ directed by Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao. The film, adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed 2020 novel, explores the tragic love story between a young William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and his wife Agnes (Buckley), historically known as Anne Hathaway.
Rather than presenting Agnes merely as the playwright’s spouse, the film positions her as the emotional core of the narrative, exploring her profound grief following family tragedy and her influence on Shakespeare’s seminal work ‘Hamlet.’ Buckley describes the role as ‘one of the biggest privileges of my life,’ emphasizing her character’s multidimensional nature as mother, lover, and independent woman existing alongside literary greatness.
The production marks another career milestone for Buckley, who rose to prominence through BBC’s ‘I’d Do Anything’ talent show in 2008 before earning BAFTA and Oscar nominations for ‘Wild Rose’ and ‘The Lost Daughter.’ Her latest performance required navigating unfamiliar emotional territory, particularly in depicting maternal love and loss without personal experience of motherhood.
Critical reception has been predominantly positive, with The Telegraph’s Robbie Collin awarding five stars and declaring the adaptation ‘couldn’t have been done any better.’ The Times’ Kevin Maher praised Buckley’s ‘performance for the ages,’ while The Wrap’s Carla Renata described her as ‘nothing less than magical.’ Some critics, including Time’s Stephanie Zacharek, found the emotional cues overly explicit, and LA Times’ Amy Nicholson questioned the dramatic intensity compared to Shakespeare’s works.
The film’s climactic Globe Theatre sequence, showing Agnes witnessing Hamlet’s first performance, proved particularly challenging for Buckley. She recalls feeling ‘terrified’ and ‘completely lost’ during the emotionally draining ten-day shoot, ultimately recognizing that this vulnerability authentically mirrored her character’s journey.
As awards season approaches, Buckley remains focused on the film’s artistic achievement rather than Oscar speculation. She expresses pride in the project and gratitude for audience responses, viewing potential award ceremonies as opportunities to celebrate with the close-knit production team. ‘Hamnet’ premieres in UK cinemas on January 9th, offering audiences a fresh perspective on Shakespeare’s personal tragedy and the woman who inspired his timeless art.