Lance Joseph Martinez

Life, Career Beginnings, and Status: Meet 2026 Oscars Best Actress Awardee Jessie Buckley

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<p><strong></strong>2025<strong></strong> proved to be a remarkable year for cinema, especially for leading women who delivered standout performances across the board. Still, when the dust settled at the <strong>98th Academy Awards</strong>, it was <strong>Jessie Buckley</strong> who ultimately claimed the coveted <strong>Best Actress </strong>honor for her powerful portrayal in <strong><em>Hamnet</em></strong>.</p><p>The historical drama, directed by<strong> Chloé Zhao</strong> and co-written with <strong>Maggie O’Farrell,</strong> is based on O’Farrell’s acclaimed 2020 novel. In the film, Buckley takes on the role of Agnes Shakespeare, the wife of William Shakespeare, portrayed by <strong>Paul Mescal</strong>.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773719390815[image] - 7575784.jpeg" style="width:700px;display:block" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Oscars Best Actress Jessie Buckley | Photo from @theacademy</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Taking the stage to accept her award, Buckley began her heartfelt speech by honoring her fellow nominees and the team behind the film. “Thank you to the incredible women that I stand beside; I am inspired by your art and your heart, and I want to work with every single one of you. To the producers who created this ship for us to stand in, and my shipmates for life—Hilda, Jessica, Lindsey, Zack—none of this is possible without you,” she said.</p><p>The actress, who wore a red and pink off-shoulder <strong>Chanel </strong>gown, <strong></strong>then turned emotional as she paid tribute to her family, who were present during the ceremony. “My family, my Irish family, they’re all here. Mom, Dad, thank you for teaching us to dream and to never be defined by expectation and to carve from your own passion. You, Fred, I love you, man. I love you. You’re the most incredible dad. You’re my best friend, and I want to have 20,000 more babies with you, I do. I do! And Isla, my little girl who is eight months, who has absolutely no idea what’s going on and is probably dreaming of milk, but this is kind of a big deal, and I love you, and I love being your mom, and I can’t wait to discover life beside you.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773719536357theacademy_1773708917_3854472102037294108_3724687.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo by Roger Kisby via @theacademy<br/><br/></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773719584676theacademy_1773708917_3854472148149069250_3724687.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo by Roger Kisby via @theacademy</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Buckley also acknowledged the creative minds behind <em>Hamnet</em>, including <strong></strong>Zhao<strong></strong> and O’Farrell, before closing her speech on a poignant and personal note. “It’s Mother’s Day in the U.K. today, so I would like to dedicate this to the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart. We all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds. Thank you for recognizing me in this role. This is the greatest honor. I can’t even believe it.”</p><p>The <em>Hamnet </em>star is the first Irish woman to win in this Oscar category. Henry McKean from Irish radio <em>NewsTalk </em>asked her: &quot;Back home, as you said in your speech, it&#x27;s Mother&#x27;s Day. Your first Mother&#x27;s Day as a mom. <em>Hamnet </em>is about a mother&#x27;s love and a mother&#x27;s grief. How special does today feel?</p><p>She replied, &quot;It feels like some crazy alchemy that all these things are colliding on a day like today. My daughter got her first tooth this week. I woke up with her lying on my chest, snuggling me, and I feel like what a gift to get to explore motherhood through this incredible mother that Agnes is and was. And then to become one myself, and then to receive this recognition of the incredible role mothers play in our world on this day is something that I will never ever forget.&quot;</p><div><em></em><em></em><em></em><em></em></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9QlIDS0lIJI?si=ppMTtlnD1AAdJt74" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Jessie Buckley, 36, was born on December 28, 1989, in Killarney, County Kerry, to <strong>Marina (née Cassidy)</strong> and <strong>Tim Buckley</strong>. She grew up with a younger brother and three younger sisters, surrounded by a family that nurtured her artistic talents from an early age.</p><p>Buckley attended<strong> Ursuline Secondary School</strong>, <strong></strong>an all-girls convent school in Thurles, County Tipperary, where her mother worked as a vocal coach. There, she showcased her versatility on stage, taking on a variety of roles—including male leads—such as <strong>Tony</strong> in <strong>&quot;West Side Story&quot; </strong>and <strong>Freddie Trumper</strong> in <strong>&quot;Chess.&quot;</strong></p><p>A gifted musician as well, she achieved grade eight in piano, clarinet, and harp at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and performed with the <strong>Tipperary Millennium Orchestra. </strong>Buckley later honed her acting craft at the prestigious <strong>Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA</strong>), graduating in January 2013, laying the foundation for her acclaimed career in film and theatre.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773719614218HDgUMDUboAAjqNc.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @theacademy</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Buckley first stepped into the spotlight as a contestant on the talent show <strong><em>I’d Do Anything, </em></strong>which sought a fresh face to play Nancy in the 2009 <strong>West End revival</strong> of the British musical <strong>&quot;Oliver!&quot;</strong></p><p>Buckley impressed audiences and judges alike, making it to the finale on May 31, 2008, and ultimately finishing in second place behind Jodie Prenger.</p><p>Following several notable theater performances, Buckley transitioned to the screen. She made a guest appearance on the detective drama series Endeavour before earning wider recognition for her role as <strong>Marya Bolkonskaya </strong>in <strong>BBC’s</strong> 2016 adaptation of <strong><em>War and Peace.</em></strong> Her performance received high praise, with <strong>Viv Groskop</strong> of <strong><em>The Guardian </em></strong>calling her portrayal a standout in episode two, noting that she brought depth and elegance to the supposedly plain and pious character.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BQ8M4zxr7Cc?si=AHIqJm2XR23IR3AH" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>For her portrayal of <strong>Agnes</strong>, <strong>William Shakespeare’s</strong> wife, in <em>Hamnet</em>—adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel—Buckley dominated awards season, culminating in her historic win as Best Actress at the <strong>Oscars.</strong></p><p>Her victory follows a remarkable run, including wins at the<strong> Critics’ Choice Awards</strong>,<strong> Golden Globes</strong>,<strong> BAFTAs</strong>, a<strong></strong>nd <strong>Actor Awards</strong>, making her the first Irish actress ever to claim this coveted honor.</p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photo from <strong>@theacademy</strong></p>

<p>"Hamnet" star Jessie Buckley made history by becoming the first Irish woman ever to claim the Best Actress award at the Oscars. </p>

"Hamnet" star Jessie Buckley made history by becoming the first Irish woman ever to claim the Best Actress award at the Oscars.

Jessie Buckley on Making History at the Oscars 2026 and Playing the Role of a Mother in 'Hamnet'

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Jessie Buckley on Making History at the Oscars 2026 and Playing the Role of a Mother in 'Hamnet'

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published Mar 17, 2026 01:15 PM PHT

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