Imagine the thrill of two Irish stars lighting up the screen with a chemistry so electric, it feels like destiny itself scripted their reunion—Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley are captivating audiences worldwide in Chloé Zhao's poignant film Hamnet. But here's where it gets controversial: as Jessie edges closer to becoming the first Irish woman to snag an Oscar, is the hype overshadowing the raw emotion of her performance, or is it the spotlight we all secretly crave in Hollywood's glittering circus?
During our chat, Jessie tenses up just once, and honestly, I feel a pang of guilt bringing it up. It's the big, unspoken topic hanging in the air like a storm cloud. With her poised as the frontrunner for Best Actress at the Oscars, she's navigating a whirlwind of expectations. Does she brush off the buzz, or is the pressure mounting like a crescendo?
"I... don't... know... how... to... answer... that... question," she replies, her tone laced with the discomfort of a sudden toothache flaring up.
Fair enough—who could blame her? Yet, here we are, dissecting the odds. Some pundits whisper that Norwegian talent Renate Reinsve might swoop in for Joachim Trier's The Worst Person in the World, or perhaps Rose Byrne could steal the show in X. But ever since that electrifying debut at the Telluride Film Festival back in August, Jessie's portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare—the grieving wife of Paul Mescal's William Shakespeare in Hamnet—has stood out as the undeniable frontrunner. Her depiction of a mother's agony over their young son's death, the very tragedy that lends the film its name, is so viscerally intense that viewers often leave the theater feeling almost intrusive, as if they've witnessed something profoundly private.
"I don't know how to answer that question," Jessie repeats, her voice steadying. "What fills me with pride is seeing a character like Agnes brought to life on screen. If you asked my 15-year-old self what the world desperately needed, she'd say more figures like Agnes—women embodying a full, intricate vitality, showing it's alright to embrace life in all its messy glory."
Of course, praising a performance via the messy arena of awards season feels tacky. But beyond that, Jessie and Paul genuinely seem to relish our conversation—they're pros, after all. (And let's not forget, they're actors by trade.) As the interview flows, Jessie, with her signature Kerry lilt and infectious laugh, dives into topics with the enthusiasm of a skier conquering a slope. Paul, ever the picture of composure, shares his thoughts in a serene, measured rhythm.
Who wouldn't feel at ease in this setup? Chloé Zhao's adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's beloved novel has scooped audience awards at nearly every festival stop, proving that even the everyday moviegoer in the balcony adores this tender, pastoral drama. Critical darlings aside, the crowd's affection speaks volumes.
Still, watching Agnes spiral into despair after Hamnet succumbs to the plague raises questions: Did Jessie manage to leave that heartache behind each night?
"I absolutely love it," she insists. "People keep asking, 'Are you seeing a therapist now?' But tackling roles this deep is a true privilege—a joy, really. It's the dream job: plunging into life's voids, evolving as humans, crafting stories that resonate poetically and cinematically. We're creating films that hit audiences right in the gut, and that's the essence of great storytelling."
Yet, she acknowledges the role lingered like a shadow.
"During the scenes of Hamnet's death, I realized I couldn't just head home—it would be overwhelming," she explains. "I stayed close to set, immersing myself fully, and sought solace in the woods. No high-rise hotel with barred windows for me; I needed nature's embrace. So, I found a quaint shepherd's cottage nestled in the forest's heart."
We'll revisit that point soon. For now, let's celebrate these icons of Irish theater royalty under the Tricolour's banner. Jessie, a versatile powerhouse, burst onto the scene after placing second in the BBC's I'd Do Anything, a talent hunt seeking fresh faces for a West End revival of Oliver! back in 2008. Even after landing a role in Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, the Killarney native pursued formal training at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She dazzled as Marya in the BBC's War & Peace, and her accolades piled up for portraying a rebellious Scottish singer in the 2018 film Wild Rose.
By the time she earned her first Oscar nod for The Lost Daughter in 2022—a gripping adaptation of Elena Ferrante's novel—her name was already murmured with reverence.
"Looking back, I marvel at that young girl's courage," says Jessie, nearing 36. "At 17, all I had was unbridled passion. And you know, that's what still drives me—dedication and a hunger to share stories with heartfelt openness and humanity. No formal skills then, just raw energy. Music and singing became my outlet, a vast canvas for those volcano-like emotions inside. It wasn't until I explored Shakespeare that I truly felt like an actor; his words brimmed with depth."
If you haven't watched her fiery take on "As Long as He Needs Me" from I'd Do Anything, hunt down that YouTube clip and whisper, "No technique?" It's astonishing—imagine how it might have soared with actual training!
Paul entered Jessie's world through The Lost Daughter. No shared scenes, but they connected during filming, laying groundwork for Hamnet's collaboration.
"We joined the project at the ideal moment," Paul reflects. "I deeply admired Jessie, both as a person and a performer. We hadn't crossed paths much before, which made it refreshing—no assumptions. I was genuinely intrigued by her process, and oddly, our approaches align so well."
"Chemistry's either there or it isn't," Jessie adds. "When it's absent, it's a nightmare."
I wisely steer clear of probing for flops, but the question lingers: Can they overcome a lack of spark?
"It's tough," Paul admits.
"You can pivot, but it shifts the dynamic," Jessie clarifies. "With us, though, there was this palpable energy and chemistry—rooted in deep trust."
Are we growing accustomed to Irish talent dominating Hollywood? Jessie seems on track for that Oscar statue, while Paul shared the Vanity Fair cover with stars like Glen Powell and Austin Butler, hailed for embodying "approachable yet tormented" roles.
As Paul puts it, recalling his youth: "I remember, as a teenager, watching Ireland's church institution crumble before my eyes."
They matured post-Celtic Tiger boom—perhaps more at ease with Irish cultural clout than those shaped by emigration eras or shows like The Riordans. Or maybe not.
"It was the Celtic Tiger era," Jessie notes. "Capitalism reigned supreme, valuing possessions over soul. As a teen, I felt adrift, finding solace in icons like Katharine Hepburn—her free-spirited brilliance was liberating."
Raised in Killarney, where her folks managed a guesthouse, she drew inspiration from classic stars.
"Think Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck, Katharine Hepburn, Judy Garland," she lists. "They wore their vitality on their sleeves. Gena Rowlands too—these were fierce, multifaceted women."
The age gap between them meant different Irish landscapes: Paul, turning 30 soon, hit his teens as the 2008 crash unraveled the economy, echoing austerity tales.
"I was born into the Tiger's roar, but my teenage years were recession-marked," he shares. "The church scandals hit hard; I saw institutions fracture."
Paul's early passion was sports, playing Gaelic football for Kildare until a jaw injury sidelined him. Acting? Never on his radar.
"The downturn pushed me toward it—'No jobs anyway,'" he recalls. "Fear of financial strain at home made me think, 'It's all doomed.'"
It evokes 1980s Ireland, where necessity birthed creativity.
"Limited options force you to pursue your true calling," he explains.
"Ireland's thriving now," Jessie chimes in. "We weathered storms, embracing curiosity as a new trait. It's fostering a vibrant identity—a creative renaissance."
Both maintain a balance of openness and privacy, chatting freely while guarding personal realms. Jessie's 2023 marriage to mental health worker Freddie stayed discreet until a podcast reveal. "I'm very happy," she shared gracefully in 2024. Her pregnancy was handled with tact—bump at CinemaCon, baby in tow at Telluride.
"Chloé had the crowd breathe deeply," Jessie remembers. "With my six-week-old, Telluride's sensory overload was magical—visionary filmmakers sharing dreams."
Balancing a newborn at a major festival? Challenging, but rewarding.
"It's a blessing," she says. "Motherhood heightened my honesty. That pure bond? It's what life should revolve around. Connecting deeply—that's the point. And promoting Hamnet feels like an extension of its journey."
Chloé Zhao, fresh off Nomadland's Oscars, infuses Hamnet with a subtle, twilight ambiance. Filmed mostly in Wales, it starts as a subtle romance before pivoting to tragedy. Jessie commands the latter half, evolving from quiet intensity to explosive fury. Paul's restrained Shakespeare portrayal intrigues, humanizing the legend.
"The historical myth bores me," Paul says. "He lived like us—creating, sacrificing for family."
With awards season underway till March 2026, eyes are on Jessie, but Paul's supporting nod seems likely after his Aftersun win.
Upcoming roles: Paul as Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes' Beatles series; Jessie as the Bride in Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride!.
"The Beatles fascinate me endlessly," Paul teases. "But I'll spill more later— we're just gearing up."
"It's rebellious, punk-infused chaos," Jessie describes her film. "A riot of energy. Last year, I channeled two powerful women behind icons—Frankenstein and Shakespeare—voiced by female directors."
As we wrap, they dive back into promo mode. Sorry for the Oscar probe, Jessie.
"It's your gig," she smiles.
Hamnet hits theaters January 9th; check Donald Clarke's glowing review here. And this is the part most people miss—while Ireland's stars shine bright, does this global success risk diluting our unique cultural spark, or is it a proud evolution? What do you think: Is the Oscar chase worth the emotional toll, or should we prioritize the art over the accolades? Share your thoughts in the comments—agree, disagree, or add your own twist!
