- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Oscars 2026: Joe Alwyn Reveals How 'Hamnet' Cast Bonded Over Rihanna
The actor shared how the cast danced to Rihanna's 'We Found Love' on the last day of filming the acclaimed period drama.
Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:51pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
In a recent Oscars 2026 interview, actor Joe Alwyn reminisced about how he and his 'Hamnet' co-stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal bonded over Rihanna's 2011 hit 'We Found Love' while filming the Chloé Zhao-directed period drama. Alwyn revealed that on the last day of shooting, director Zhao played the song and the entire cast, including Noah Jupe, danced around in their Shakespearean costumes, creating a memorable moment that the actors still fondly recall.
Why it matters
The behind-the-scenes anecdote provides a lighthearted glimpse into the camaraderie and joy the cast experienced while making the critically acclaimed film 'Hamnet,' which has gone on to win over 15 awards this season, including a Best Actress Oscar for Jessie Buckley. The story also highlights how music can bring people together, even in the midst of a somber period drama.
The details
Alwyn, who played Bartholomew in the film, shared the story with Entertainment Tonight at the Oscars ceremony. He recalled that on the last day of filming, director Chloé Zhao 'threw on Rihanna and everyone jumped around. It was a fun party.' This moment was captured in a viral TikTok video earlier this year, showcasing the cast dancing to the upbeat track in their period costumes. Alwyn's co-stars, including Buckley and Mescal, have also fondly reminisced about that day, with Buckley describing it as turning the set into 'a rave' due to Rihanna's 'vibrato.'
- The cast filmed the last day of 'Hamnet' earlier this year.
The players
Joe Alwyn
The 35-year-old actor who starred as Bartholomew in the film 'Hamnet.'
Jessie Buckley
The 36-year-old actress who portrayed Agnes, the pseudonym for Anne in the Maggie O'Farrell book that 'Hamnet' is based on.
Paul Mescal
An actor who co-starred in 'Hamnet' alongside Alwyn and Buckley.
Noah Jupe
An actor who was also part of the 'Hamnet' cast.
Chloé Zhao
The 43-year-old director of the film 'Hamnet.'
What they’re saying
“The whole place started vibrating. All these extras, everybody—it was amazing.”
— Jessie Buckley, Actress (E! News)
“That's one of my favorite songs because it goes, 'We found love in a hopeless place.' And that is the paradox to what it means to be human. Often when we experience deep loss, grief and hopelessness do we find love for each other and ourselves.”
— Chloé Zhao, Director (E! News)
The takeaway
The story of the 'Hamnet' cast bonding over Rihanna's 'We Found Love' on set highlights how music can bring people together, even in the midst of creating a somber period drama. This lighthearted moment reflects the camaraderie and joy the actors experienced while making the critically acclaimed film, which has gone on to win multiple awards this season.
