Jessie Buckley Wins Historic Best Actress Oscar for ‘Hamnet’

Jessie Buckley has made history, becoming the first Irish woman to win the Best Actress Oscar at the 98th Academy Awards. Her performance as Agnes in Hamnet, an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel exploring the life of Shakespeare’s wife, earned her the prestigious award on Sunday night.

A Groundbreaking Win for Irish Talent

Buckley’s win marks a significant moment for Irish representation at the Oscars. Prior to this, only Saoirse Ronan and Ruth Negga had been nominated for the Best Actress award, representing Ireland on the world stage. Buckley was previously nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category in 2022 for her role in The Lost Daughter.

Triumphant Evening for ‘Hamnet’

The win for Buckley was the sole Oscar for Hamnet, which had received eight nominations, including recognition for director Chloé Zhao and writer Maggie O’Farrell. The film explores the powerful love story that inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Emotional Acceptance Speech

In an emotional acceptance speech, Buckley expressed her gratitude, stating, “Wow. Thank you so much. This is really something!” She acknowledged her fellow nominees and colleagues on Hamnet, and extended thanks to her family, noting that Ireland had generously funded their travel to the ceremony.

Buckley also shared a heartfelt message to her parents, thanking them for “teaching us to dream and to never be defined by expectation but to carve from your own passion.”

A Personal Dedication

Buckley dedicated her award to her husband, Fred, and their eight-month-old daughter, Isla. She expressed her love for her family and her excitement about motherhood, stating, “I want to have 20,000 more babies with you.” She also marked the occasion as it coincided with Mother’s Day in the UK, dedicating the award to “the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart.”

Other Irish Success at the Oscars

The evening also saw success for Dubliner Richard Baneham, who won his third Oscar for his visual effects work on Avatar: Fire and Ash. Baneham credited the collaborative nature of the industry and the support of his family for his achievement.

Key Winners at the 98th Academy Awards

• Best Picture: One Battle After Another
• Actress in a Leading Role: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
• Actor in a Leading Role: Michael B Jordan – Sinners
• Directing: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
• Music (Original Song): “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters
• Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash – Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett

The 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will be broadcast on RTÉ2 on Monday evening.