At a Glance
- Jessie Buckley won Best Actress at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards for Hamnet
- She shouted out costar Paul Mescal: “I bloody love you, man… tough s—“
- Buckley also praised director Chloé Zhao and her child co-stars
- Why it matters: The win caps a breakout year for Buckley and highlights the film’s awards-season momentum
Jessie Buckley took home the Critics Choice Best Actress trophy on January 4, 2026, and used her speech to both charm and roast her Hamnet co-star Paul Mescal.
The Speech
Accepting the award from Jeff Goldblum at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar, Buckley, 36, first thanked writer-director Chloé Zhao for “reminding me of the power of telling a story.”
Then came the zinger:
Jessie Buckley declared:
> “Paul, I bloody love you, man. And I know loads of other women do in this room too, but tough s—.”
She added, “I could drink you like water working with you every single day. You’re a giant of the heart.”
The Film
Hamnet re-imagines William Shakespeare’s domestic life and the death of his son, the catalyst for Hamlet. Buckley and Mescal play Agnes and William; child actors Jacobi Jupe, Olivia Lynes and Bodhi Rae Breathnach portray their on-screen kids.
Buckley called Emily Watson “my north star from the beginning” and thanked the younger cast:
- Jacobi Jupe
- Olivia Lynes
- Bodhi Rae Breathnach
> “To my kiddywinks-thank you for reminding me what it is to have a ball again.”
Fellow Nominees
The Best Actress field was stacked:
| Nominee | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Rose Byrne | If I Had Legs I’d Kick You | Linda |
| Chase Infiniti | One Battle After Another | Willa |
| Renate Reinsve | Sentimental Value | Nora |
| Amanda Seyfried | The Testament of Ann Lee | Ann Lee |
| Emma Stone | Bugonia | Michelle |
Buckley’s win is her second Critics Choice nod; she was previously nominated in 2023 for Women Talking.
Key Takeaways
- Buckley’s raw performance as grieving mother Agnes fuels the film’s awards buzz
- Her playful shout-out to Mescal stole the night’s speech spotlight
- Hamnet continues a strong season with Zhao’s direction and a breakout ensemble
The Critics Choice victory positions Buckley as a front-runner heading into the Academy Awards race.
