Jessie Buckley's raw, emotional performance in Chloé Zhao's Hamnet has catapulted her to leading lady status, solidifying her position among the best actresses of her generation. In this poignant adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel, Buckley brings to life Agnes, William Shakespeare's wife and the mother of his only son Hamnet, whose untimely death sets off a chain reaction of grief and despair.
Buckley's portrayal is both deeply personal and unflinchingly honest, capturing the anguish and vulnerability that defines Agnes' character. Her performance is marked by an astonishing range, as she effortlessly shifts between moments of tenderness and outbursts of raw fury. This emotional intensity has already earned her widespread critical acclaim, with Buckley being hailed as "unselfconsciously beguiling" by The Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw.
At 36, Buckley's ascent to stardom is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Killarney, County Kerry, she began her career on the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything, where she competed for the role of Nancy in Oliver!. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada), Buckley's stage career took off, with starring roles in The Tempest and Henry V. Her early film appearances were in BBC television series such as War & Peace and Taboo.
Buckley's breakthrough performance came in Michael Pearce's psychological thriller Beast, where she played the lead role of Moll, a troubled young woman caught between love and violence. Pearce praised Buckley's commitment to the role, saying that "every ounce of herself" was poured into the performance. Her subsequent film appearances have only solidified her reputation as one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
Buckley has also made headlines for her critically acclaimed performances in Chernobyl, Fargo, and Women Talking, where she played a widow tormented by strange men in Alex Garland's folk horror film Men. Her portrayal of Sally Bowles in a West End revival of Cabaret earned her the Olivier award for best actress in a musical.
With Buckley now leading the charge in awards season, it remains to be seen whether she will triumph over a talented field of competitors, including Chase Infiniti and Renate Reinsve. Whatever the outcome, Buckley's intention is clear: to make people feel something, rather than simply becoming disembodied and disconnected.
Buckley's portrayal is both deeply personal and unflinchingly honest, capturing the anguish and vulnerability that defines Agnes' character. Her performance is marked by an astonishing range, as she effortlessly shifts between moments of tenderness and outbursts of raw fury. This emotional intensity has already earned her widespread critical acclaim, with Buckley being hailed as "unselfconsciously beguiling" by The Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw.
At 36, Buckley's ascent to stardom is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Killarney, County Kerry, she began her career on the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything, where she competed for the role of Nancy in Oliver!. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada), Buckley's stage career took off, with starring roles in The Tempest and Henry V. Her early film appearances were in BBC television series such as War & Peace and Taboo.
Buckley's breakthrough performance came in Michael Pearce's psychological thriller Beast, where she played the lead role of Moll, a troubled young woman caught between love and violence. Pearce praised Buckley's commitment to the role, saying that "every ounce of herself" was poured into the performance. Her subsequent film appearances have only solidified her reputation as one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
Buckley has also made headlines for her critically acclaimed performances in Chernobyl, Fargo, and Women Talking, where she played a widow tormented by strange men in Alex Garland's folk horror film Men. Her portrayal of Sally Bowles in a West End revival of Cabaret earned her the Olivier award for best actress in a musical.
With Buckley now leading the charge in awards season, it remains to be seen whether she will triumph over a talented field of competitors, including Chase Infiniti and Renate Reinsve. Whatever the outcome, Buckley's intention is clear: to make people feel something, rather than simply becoming disembodied and disconnected.
Jessie Buckley's rise to stardom is a great example of how opportunities can come to those who are willing to take risks and push boundaries 
. I mean, she started out on BBC talent shows and worked her way up from there, which is pretty standard for anyone looking to make it in the industry. But what's interesting is that she's not just been handed leading roles willy-nilly - she's had to prove herself time and time again with each new performance 
.
. I mean, Buckley is great and all, but are there plenty of other talented actresses out there waiting to be discovered? The question is, will the awards machine continue to prioritize established stars over fresh faces 
? And what does that say about our cultural values as a society - do we value experience over innovation?
i'm literally in awe of jessie buckley's talent!!! she's been on my radar for a while now, but this performance in hamnet just took her to a whole new level 
and if anyone deserves the awards season buzz, it's her. those who are counting her out against other talented actresses need to take another look 
because buckley's got the range and the dedication to make a difference on screen 
I'm loving Jessie Buckley's rise to stardom! She's always had incredible talent, but this performance in Hamnet is on a whole new level 
. Her ability to convey such raw emotion and vulnerability is truly captivating. I mean, who can forget that iconic scene where she just loses it? 
. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to watch someone as talented as her bring a character to life? 
!
. And let's be real, 36 is NOT old for an actress to be taking on leading roles! She's got some serious talent and dedication going on 
i need to talk to someone about this movie ASAP my bf is trying to calm me down but i'm just not having it lol
. Her performance in Hamnet is both heartbreaking and beautifully nuanced 
. What I love about her is that she's not afraid to show vulnerability on screen, which makes her characters feel so relatable 
. With all the amazing talent out there right now, it'll be interesting to see how she stacks up against the likes of Chase Infiniti and Renate Reinsve 
. The way she conveys tenderness one sec and raw fury the next is just WOW 
. I mean, 36 and already leading lady status? She's def on a roll 
! Her range is insane, from stage to screen, this girl can do it all 
It's like she's finally getting the recognition she deserves after years of hard work. Now we just have to see if she can take home those awards and cement her status as one of the best actresses out there 
i mean i've seen some powerful acting in my time but there's something about the way she poured her heart out as agnes that just broke me 
Meanwhile, I'm just over here thinking about how much I need to rewatch some of her earlier work to get a better sense of her range... 
. I'm rooting for her all the way, can't wait to see what she does next 
. And what I love is that she's not afraid to get a little messy and take risks with her performance. She's all in, you know?
. I mean, 36 and already leading lady status? That's crazy! 
As a parent, I just want my kids to be happy and fulfilled, and it sounds like Jessie is bringing that same passion to her craft.
she's on fire 
can't believe she was on bbc talent show like 10 yrs ago now she's leading lady status 
Buckley's been in so many good shows and films already but still gets snubbed at awards sometimes feels like she deserves more recognition 
anyway, can't wait to see what she does next, hopefully more Shakespeare roles 