Jessie Buckley Clarifies Her Affection for Cats After Online Backlash

Actress Jessie Buckley has moved to clarify her stance on cats, stating she is a “lover of cats” following a reaction to previous comments suggesting a preference for dogs. The clarification came during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Initial Comments Sparked Debate

The controversy began during an interview last year, while promoting the film Hamnet, where Buckley and co-star Paul Mescal were asked about their preference for cats or dogs. Both actors initially indicated a preference for dogs. Buckley stated at the time, “I don’t like cats. Cats are mean.” She also recounted an instance where she gave her husband an ultimatum regarding his cats.

Buckley Sets the Record Straight

Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Buckley addressed the online reaction. “I need to clarify something for all cat lovers in the world,” she told Fallon. “I am a lover of cats. I woke up this morning – does the world think that I really don’t love cats? And it’s really weighed on me all day. I felt sick.”

An Audition for ‘Cats’

Buckley revealed she even auditioned for a feline role, stating, “I want to just tell cat people that I actually auditioned to be a cat once.” She specified the audition was for the 2019 film adaptation of the musical Cats, describing it as “the worst” audition of her life. “I was just like a hoof of an Irish woman leaping across and licking her paws,” she recounted to Fallon, adding that she did not secure the part.

Award-Winning Performance in ‘Hamnet’

Buckley recently won the Best Actress BAFTA and IFTA awards for her performance in Hamnet and is nominated for an Oscar. The initial comments regarding cats were made during an appearance on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast in November.