In a historic moment at the 98th Academy AwardsIrish actress Jessie Buckley took home the Oscar for Best Actress for her powerful performance in Hamnet. The win marks her first Academy Award and makes her the first Irish performer to claim the prestigious Best Actress category.
The 2026 Oscars, held on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, saw Buckley triumph over a strong field of nominees including Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), and Emma Stone (Bugonia). Buckley’s victory caps off a dominant awards season sweep, following wins at major precursors like the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, BAFTAs, and SAG-AFTRA’s Actor Awards.
A Breakthrough Performance in ‘Hamnet’
Directed by Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Hamnet is an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed 2020 novel. The film explores the life of Agnes Shakespeare (often known as Anne Hathaway), wife of William Shakespeare, portrayed by fellow Irish star Paul Mescal. Buckley delivers a gut-wrenching portrayal of Agnes as she navigates love, motherhood, and profound grief following the tragic death of their son, Hamnet—a loss that some scholars link to the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Critics praised Buckley’s ability to convey a spectrum of emotions with subtlety and depth, from quiet tenderness to raw devastation. Her performance was described as “witchy,” “sublime,” and “heartbreaking,” grounding the historical drama in universal themes of loss and resilience. Buckley prepared intensely for the role, drawing on nature and personal reflection to embody Agnes’s deep connection to the land and her body.
The film itself earned multiple nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Zhao, highlighting its emotional and visual impact.
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