As the 2026 Academy Awards approach, all eyes are on Jessie Buckley, who is poised to claim her first Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Agnes in the poignant drama Hamnet. The ceremony is set for Sunday, March 15, airing live on ABC, and Buckley has already swept precursor awards, including the SAG Actor Awards on March 1, BAFTA, Critics Choice, and Golden Globe Awards. Her performance, which captures the raw grief of a mother mourning her child, has been hailed as a frontrunner, with industry insiders predicting no major upsets in her category.
Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao, draws from Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel of the same name, offering a fictionalized glimpse into the early life of William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway—known as Agnes in the story. The film centers on the couple’s devastation following the death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet, in 1596. Paul Mescal stars as the aspiring playwright Shakespeare, who leaves his family in Stratford-upon-Avon to chase his ambitions in London, while Agnes, played by Buckley, remains behind with their surviving twins, daughters Susanna and Judith.
According to the film’s narrative, Shakespeare’s time away strains the marriage as he works on what would become his iconic tragedy Hamlet. The story intertwines the family’s personal tragedy with the Bard’s creative process, suggesting that Hamnet’s death profoundly influenced the play. In Elizabethan England, “Hamlet” and “Hamnet” were interchangeable names, a detail the movie and book emphasize at the outset, though scholars note this linguistic overlap without confirming deeper connections.
The cast brings depth to these historical figures, with Bodhi Rae Breathnach as Susanna, Olivia Lynes as Judith, and Jacobi Jupe as the tragic Hamnet. Emily Watson and David Wilmot portray Shakespeare’s parents, adding layers to the family dynamics in their Stratford home. Joe Alwyn appears as Agnes’ brother Bartholomew, residing on a nearby farm with their stepmother and half-sisters. The film culminates in a heart-wrenching scene at the Globe Theatre, where Noah Jupe—Jacobi’s real-life brother—plays the lead in Hamlet’s premiere, with speculation that Shakespeare himself took the role of the ghost.
During her acceptance speech at the SAG Actor Awards on March 1, Buckley paid tribute to her costar Emily Watson, crediting Watson’s 1996 debut film Breaking the Waves as a pivotal influence. “Breaking the Waves made me whisper to myself, ‘That’s what I want to do,’ and to share those scenes with you in Hamnet, I will cherish that for the rest of my life,” Buckley said. “Your wild imagination, your brave, untethered womanhood, your ferocious gentleness is a guiding light to me. And the best advice that you always give to me is to always go back to the well of just being human.”
While Hamnet is loosely inspired by real events, it takes significant creative liberties. Historical records confirm that Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway married in 1582 when she was pregnant with their first child, Susanna, but whether their union stemmed from love or necessity remains unknown. Their son Hamnet died in August 1596 and was buried in Stratford, though parish records do not specify the cause—bubonic plague, as depicted in the film and novel, is a dramatic assumption by O’Farrell.
Scholars have long speculated on links between Hamnet’s death and Hamlet, which was composed between 1599 and 1601. Stephen Greenblatt, a prominent Shakespeare expert, explored this in his 2004 essay, positing a possible emotional tie, but he emphasized there is no concrete evidence. Similarly, the idea that Shakespeare performed as the ghost in the original production aligns with known facts that he acted in his own plays, yet no records confirm this specific role.
Critics have praised Hamnet for its unflinching portrayal of grief, earning it an 86 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from reviewers and a 93 percent from audiences. Alissa Wilkinson of The New York Times lauded Buckley’s work, writing, “Buckley’s performance is ferocious and astounding, starting off strong and somehow picking up power as the movie goes along. There’s something so sonorous in her low, melodic voice that in the moment when she loses it entirely, in silent, screaming paroxysms of grief, it smacks you right in the gut.”
Bilge Ebiri of New York Magazine described the film as “devastating, maybe the most emotionally shattering movie I’ve seen in years,” noting, “The book was overwhelming too, and going into a film about the death of a child, one naturally prepares to shed some tears. Still, I did not really expect to cry this much.” These reviews underscore the movie’s emotional intensity, which has resonated widely during awards season.
Beyond Buckley’s likely win, Hamnet has secured eight Oscar nominations, positioning it as a strong contender in multiple categories. Chloé Zhao, who made history as the first woman of color to win Best Director for Nomadland in 2021, is nominated again for directing. The film also contends for Best Picture, Best Writing for Adapted Screenplay—credited to Zhao and O’Farrell—Best Music for Original Score by Max Richter, Best Casting by Nina Gold, Best Costume Design by Malgosia Turzanska, and Best Production Design by Fiona Crombie and Alice Felton.
The nominations reflect the film’s technical and artistic achievements, from its evocative score to its period-accurate designs that immerse viewers in 16th-century England. Zhao’s direction has been particularly noted for blending intimate family drama with broader historical context, much like her previous work. As awards buzz builds, Hamnet stands out amid competitors like Sinners and One Battle for Another, which are tipped for multiple wins but may not eclipse Buckley’s personal triumph.
For those eager to catch up before the Oscars, Hamnet became available to stream on Peacock starting Friday, March 6. This timing allows audiences a final chance to experience the film that has captivated critics and voters alike. The movie’s release follows a festival run and limited theatrical debut, building anticipation through word-of-mouth and glowing reviews.
The story of Hamnet also ties into broader conversations about Shakespeare’s personal life, often shrouded in mystery due to sparse records. O’Farrell’s novel, and now Zhao’s adaptation, fill these gaps with empathy, focusing on Agnes—a figure historically overshadowed by her famous husband. By centering her perspective, the film offers a feminist lens on Elizabethan family life, exploring themes of loss, resilience, and artistic inspiration that continue to draw modern audiences.
As the Oscars near, Buckley’s journey from supporting actress nominee for 2021’s The Lost Daughter to leading lady favorite marks a significant milestone. Her wins across major guilds signal strong academy support, though the unpredictable nature of awards season leaves room for surprises. Regardless, Hamnet has already cemented its place as a moving tribute to human endurance, blending historical speculation with universal emotions.
Looking ahead, the film’s success could spotlight more adaptations of literary works centered on women’s untold stories. With Zhao at the helm and a powerhouse cast, Hamnet not only honors Shakespeare’s legacy but reimagines it through the eyes of those closest to him. As viewers tune in on March 15, the evening promises to celebrate a performance that has touched hearts and sparked tears across the globe.