Jessie Buckley Is Not Your Oscar Season Villain

The acclaimed actress is poised to win her first Oscar, but some are trying to cast her as the awards season bad guy.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:00pm

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Jessie Buckley is widely expected to win the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in the historical drama "Hamnet." However, a last-minute push has emerged to portray Buckley as an "awards season villain," despite her being a charming and gracious winner throughout the season. The article argues that this is likely just a combination of boredom and online awards season fever, as Buckley's career represents the success that can come from a mix of talent and luck.

Why it matters

Buckley's Oscar-tipped performance in "Hamnet" has been celebrated, but some are now trying to cast her as an unlikable awards season contender, which the article finds baffling. Buckley's career trajectory, from a reality TV show contestant to an acclaimed actress across film, TV, and music, makes her a unique and inspiring figure in Hollywood.

The details

Buckley broke through at age 18 as a contestant on the reality TV show "I'd Do Anything," where she was criticized for not being "ladylike" enough. She then went on to study at RADA and build an impressive body of work, including acclaimed performances in films like "Beast," "Wild Rose," and "The Lost Daughter." In addition to her Oscar nomination, Buckley has also earned an Olivier Award and a Mercury Prize nomination, making her a true triple threat.

  • Buckley has been the frontrunner for the Best Actress Oscar for months.

The players

Jessie Buckley

An acclaimed actress who is widely expected to win the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in the historical drama "Hamnet."

Maggie Gyllenhaal

The director of "The Bride!," in which Buckley gave a performance that some critics deemed "truly terrible" but the article argues was intentionally over-the-top and theatrical.

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What they’re saying

“I really hope that a 15, 17, whatever-age woman never has to be brutalised quite like what happened on that show. But I didn't recognise it fully at the time. I just felt it, which was difficult.”

— Jessie Buckley

The takeaway

Jessie Buckley's Oscar-nominated performance in "Hamnet" and her impressive career trajectory, spanning film, TV, stage, and music, make her a unique and inspiring figure in Hollywood. The attempts to cast her as an "awards season villain" are misguided and fail to recognize the talent and hard work that have brought her to this point.