Oscar-Nominated Actress Jessie Buckley Reflects on Motherhood

Buckley discusses how filming "Hamnet" prepared her for becoming a real-life mother.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 9:03am

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Jessie Buckley, who is nominated for an Oscar for her performance in the film "Hamnet", opens up about how the role of a grieving mother prepared her for her own journey into motherhood. In a conversation on "The Sunday Daily", Buckley describes the vulnerability she was able to tap into for the role and how her life has changed since having her own child.

Why it matters

Buckley's experience highlights the powerful way that acting can mirror and inform an actor's real life. Her portrayal of a mother's love and loss in "Hamnet" resonated deeply with her own desire to become a mother, and the role helped her access the emotional depths required for the part.

The details

In "Hamnet", Buckley plays the wife of William Shakespeare as the couple confronts the loss of their only son. The role has already earned her a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and an Actor Award. Ahead of the Oscars, where she is nominated for best actress, Buckley spoke about how filming the movie "deeply wanted to become a mother myself" and that it was "such a gift to move through this woman and her motherhood and her love and her loss before I became a mother myself."

  • Buckley is nominated for an Oscar this weekend for her performance in "Hamnet".
  • Buckley previously won a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and an Actor Award for the role.

The players

Jessie Buckley

An Oscar-nominated actress who stars in the film "Hamnet" as the wife of William Shakespeare.

William Shakespeare

The famous English playwright whose son's death is the focus of the film "Hamnet" that Buckley stars in.

Manohla Dargis

The New York Times' chief movie critic who said it would be a major upset if Buckley did not win an Academy Award for her performance in "Hamnet".

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What they’re saying

“When I was filming 'Hamnet,' I deeply wanted to become a mother myself.”

— Jessie Buckley, Actress

The takeaway

Buckley's experience portraying a grieving mother in "Hamnet" highlights the profound way that acting can mirror and inform an actor's real life. Her emotional journey in the role helped her access the vulnerability required for the part and prepared her for her own transition into motherhood.