Jessie Buckley dominated the 2026 Critics Choice Awards by winning Best Actress for her powerhouse role as Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao. The Irish star’s speech turned heads with a flirty, viral tribute to co-star Paul Mescal that left him blushing and the crowd cheering. Hosted by Chelsea Handler at the Barker Hangar on January 4, the night cemented her as awards season’s rising force.
Jessie Buckley’s Critics Choice Triumph
Buckley beat out nominees like Rose Byrne, Chase Infiniti, Renate Reinsve, Amanda Seyfried, and Emma Stone for her portrayal in Hamnet, a fictional take on William Shakespeare and wife Agnes Hathaway’s life after their son’s death. This marks her second Critics Choice nod after a 2023 Supporting Actress nom for Women Talking, and she also snagged a Silver Berlin Bear earlier. Hamnet hits UK cinemas January 9, 2026, building major Oscar buzz.
The Speech: Paul Mescal Love Fest
Buckley kicked off thanking director Chloé Zhao: “You have reminded me of the power of telling a story and the journey that you can go on to touch the deepest parts of what it is to be alive.” She called Emily Watson her “north star” and thanked kid co-stars Jacobi Jupe, Olivia Lynes, and Bodhi Rae Breathnach for reminding her “what it is to have a ball again.” The highlight? To Paul Mescal as Shakespeare: “Paul, I bloody love you, man. And I know loads of other women do in this room too, but tough s**t! I could drink you like water working with you every single day. You’re a giant of the heart and thank you so much for making me a little more human.” Mescal blew a kiss, teary-eyed, while Buckley laughed it off—pure gold.
Quick Scoop on Jessie Buckley
Born in Killarney, Ireland, the 36-year-old Buckley broke out with Wild Rose (BAFTA nom) and shone in I’m Thinking of Ending Things, The Lost Daughter, and Women Talking. Married to mental health pro Freddie since 2023, she’s praised Mescal’s “immense human heart” in past chats, calling him a “movie star” who elevates co-leads. Mutual love: Mescal says her Agnes will be “studied in drama schools.” With this win, expect more hardware as Hamnet rolls out.
