Oscar Glory: Jessie Buckley Named Best Actress

In a year full of surprises at the Oscars, one outcome was widely anticipated: Irish actress Jessie Buckley taking home the Best Actress award.

Her award journey began with a Critics’ Choice win in January, followed by a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and an Actor Awards statuette, culminating in the Academy Award. By winning, Buckley became the first Irish actress ever to receive the honor.

The 36-year-old was recognized for her powerful portrayal of Agnes, the wife of Shakespeare in Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, a film that explores the couple’s grief after losing their young son. Buckley’s raw, emotionally charged performance has resonated deeply with audiences, drawing critical acclaim and praise for her ability to convey the story from Agnes’s perspective, putting Shakespeare, played by Paul Mescal, in the background.

Among a competitive roster of nominees, including two-time Oscar winner Emma Stone, Buckley was hailed by critics as “one of the finest actresses of her generation.” Reflecting on her accolades, she told Sky News last month, “To be in a room with all those incredible artists, that, for me, is the greatest thing… that and being a mom.”

Buckley, who gave birth to her first child last year, has often dedicated her awards to her daughter, promising to model a life of independence and courage.

This marks Buckley’s second Oscar nomination; her first was for Best Supporting Actress in The Lost Daughter (2022). She has also appeared in other Oscar-nominated projects, including Women Talking and Judy, and earned acclaim for her stage work, notably in the West End revival of Cabaret.

Her journey to stardom began in her hometown of Killarney, Co Kerry, and gained momentum during her teenage years on the BBC reality show I’d Do Anything in 2008. Though she finished second, she continued pursuing acting, appearing in series like Taboo and The Last Post, and breakthrough films such as Beast and Wild Rose, as well as the acclaimed HBO/Sky series Chernobyl.

Buckley has shared that her passion for performance started before she even had a television, inspired by classic musicals from Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland.

Beyond acting, Buckley is also a talented musician. She was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize in 2022 for her collaborative album For All Our Days That Tear The Heart with Bernard Butler. Former teachers from the Ursuline Secondary School in Co Tipperary recall her extraordinary stage presence, describing her as “spellbinding” and predicting her future success.

Cast and crew from Hamnet have praised her dedication during filming. Set decorator Alice Felton recalled, “We all watched Jessie give her heart and soul to that role… she just lived in the spaces, and we’re all so happy for her.”

With the Best Actress Oscar now in her hands, Jessie Buckley has truly realized the dream that many saw coming from her very first performances.