Chloe Zhao on Irish Influence on ‘Hamnet’ and Jessie Buckley’s Bafta Triumph

Director Chloe Zhao revealed a “very personal connection” to Ireland and noted the film Hamnet possesses “some energy” from the country while accepting the Outstanding British Film award at the 2026 Bafta Film Awards. The film, adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, also saw Jessie Buckley win Best Actress.

Irish Roots and Creative Inspiration

Speaking at the winner’s press conference, Zhao acknowledged a deep, though undisclosed, connection to Ireland. She believes this connection infused the film with a unique spirit. “I have a very personal connection with Ireland, and I can’t share what that is,” Zhao stated. “But the land and the culture and the desire to try to remember what might have been forgotten and passed away from that culture is really, really strong.”

Zhao further elaborated on how O’Farrell’s Irish heritage influenced the project. “When I met Maggie and read her book, I felt that, yes, this is a story about Shakespeare’s family, but for some reason, her being Irish has something to do with it. There’s some spirit. There’s some energy in it that came from her part of the world.”

Casting and Collaboration

Maggie O’Farrell playfully remarked on the casting process, suggesting Zhao seemed particularly drawn to Irish talent. “I said, ‘Did you actually do any auditions, or did you just go straight to Ireland and you didn’t come back?’” O’Farrell joked. She emphasized the exceptional quality of the cast, including Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, stating they were “simply the best people for the job.”

Zhao described the collaboration with O’Farrell as a “transforming experience,” calling the making of Hamnet a life-changing event. “From now on we can always look across the room and go, ‘we were there, transformed by that experience from the forest to (Shakespeare’s) Globe theatre.’”

Buckley’s Award Success

Jessie Buckley, hailing from Killarney, Ireland, secured the Best Actress award at the Baftas for her portrayal of Agnes Hathaway (Anne Shakespeare). Buckley is now considered a frontrunner for the Oscars, having dominated the awards season with her performance in Hamnet.

While Paul Mescal, from Dublin, has received numerous nominations for his role as William Shakespeare, he has yet to win a major award for the performance.

About Hamnet

Hamnet is a cinematic adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, Hamnet: A Novel of the Plague. The film explores the family life of William Shakespeare and the profound impact of the death of his son, Hamnet. The story focuses on the grief and resilience of Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes, and offers a fictionalized account of the events surrounding this personal tragedy.