MOVIE NEWS – You should never celebrate too early, yet almost everyone is convinced Jessie Buckley will win an Oscar for her leading role in Hamnet, especially after she recently received a Golden Globe for her performance.

The Irish, in particular, may feel an extra surge of pride, since the actress is of Irish descent – just like Maggie O’Farrell, whose hugely successful novel became the basis for the film. The screenplay is credited to O’Farrell alongside director Chloe Zhao, as Zhao believed this was the only way to ensure the story’s exceptional sensitivity would fully carry into the film adaptation.

Steven Spielberg, one of the production’s key producers, while accepting the Golden Globe for Best Film for Hamnet, made a point of saying he committed to the project because he fell in love with the novel – and he now feels he chose wisely, since the finished film’s artistic power surpasses even his boldest expectations.

When Buckley accepted her award, she highlighted that the film about Britain’s most famous figure – William Shakespeare – was created by an international team. Most of the lead actors and cast are Irish, the director is Chinese, the composer is German, and the crew is made up largely of Irish and Polish members.

Composer Max Richter, Paul Mescal (who plays Shakespeare), along with Chloe Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell were also nominated for Golden Globes for Hamnet. (Zhao was nominated for directing, while she and O’Farrell were nominated for the screenplay.)

(Hamnet – Hungarian theatrical release: January 22, 2026.)

Source: UIP Dunafilm