What Is Hamnet About? Exploring the Shakespeare-Inspired Drama
While Sinners and One Battle for Another are likely contenders for the most wins at the 2026 Oscars, Hamnet is almost guaranteed at least one accolade: Best Actress in a Leading Role.
This awards season, Jessie Buckley has secured nearly every precursor trophy leading up to the Academy Awards for her portrayal of Agnes, the young wife of Paul Mescal‘s William Shakespeare. Unless there’s a major upset, she is anticipated to win her first Oscar on Sunday, March 15, during the live broadcast on ABC. (Buckley was nominated previously in the supporting actress category for her role in 2021’s The Lost Daughter.)
In her acceptance speech at the SAG Awards on March 1, Buckley praised her Hamnet co-star Emily Watson, crediting Watson’s debut film, Breaking the Waves, as the inspiration for her acting career.
“Breaking the Waves made me whisper to myself, ‘That’s what I want to do,’ and sharing those scenes with you in Hamnet is something I will cherish forever,” Buckley expressed. “Your wild imagination, brave womanhood, and fierce gentleness guide me. The best advice you’ve given me is to always connect with our humanity.”
Continue reading for more details on Hamnet before Oscar night:
What Is ‘Hamnet’ About?
Hamnet is adapted from the 2020 novel of the same name by Maggie O’Farrell. The narrative explores the life of a young William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and his wife, Agnes (Jessie Buckley), as they navigate the sorrow of losing their young son, Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe).
As Shakespeare focuses on his playwright career in London, Agnes remains in Stratford with their surviving children, daughters Susanna (Bodhi Rae Breathnach) and Judith (Olivia Lynes), and his family. Increased distance forms between the couple as Shakespeare immerses himself in the creation of what will become his masterpiece, Hamlet.
Who Stars in ‘Hamnet’?
Hamnet features Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare, while Jessie Buckley takes on the role of his wife, Agnes. Bodhi Rae Breathnach portrays their eldest daughter, Susanna, with Olivia Lynes and Jacobi Jupe playing the twins Judith and Hamnet, respectively.
Most of the film unfolds with Shakespeare’s family living with his parents, depicted by Emily Watson and David Wilmot. Additionally, Joe Alwyn appears as Agnes’ brother, Bartholomew, who resides with their stepmother and half-sisters on a nearby farm.
In the film’s heart-wrenching final scene, Jacobi’s actual brother, Noah Jupe, portrays the actor playing Hamlet during the first performance at the Globe Theatre.
Is ‘Hamnet’ Based on a True Story?
Hamnet is inspired by Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same name, which is loosely based on the life of William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway (also known as Agnes). Both the film and the book note that “Hamlet” and “Hamnet” were considered interchangeable names in Elizabethan England. While some scholars agree with this assertion, O’Farrell took various creative liberties throughout the narrative.
The story explores the early days of Shakespeare and Agnes’ romance, suggesting they fell in love while he served as a tutor for her family. In Hamnet, Agnes is pregnant with her first child when they marry, though it’s uncertain whether their marriage was rooted in love or necessity due to the pregnancy.
Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet, died at the age of 11 and was buried in August 1596, with the cause of death remaining a mystery. In the film and book, he succumbs to bubonic plague, but parish records don’t specify his cause of death.
The film also suggests that Shakespeare dealt with Hamnet’s death by writing Hamlet, a play crafted between 1599 and 1601. Shakespeare scholar Stephen Greenblatt discussed this possible connection in a significant 2004 essay, but no definitive evidence supports this theory—it remains speculation. Similarly, the film’s portrayal of Shakespeare as the ghost of Hamlet’s father in the original production lacks confirmation, although it’s known that he performed in his plays.
What Are Critics Saying About ‘Hamnet’?
Hamnet boasts an 86 percent critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes along with a 93 percent audience score. Many critiques focus on the film’s raw depiction of grief, mainly anchored by Jessie Buckley’s portrayal of Agnes.
“Buckley’s performance is both fierce and astounding, beginning strong and gaining momentum as the film progresses,” noted critic Alissa Wilkinson in The New York Times. “Her low, melodic voice resonates powerfully, leaving a profound impact in her moments of silent, screaming grief.”
New York Magazine’s Bilge Ebiri described the film as “devastating, possibly the most emotionally shattering movie I’ve seen in years,” adding, “The book was already overwhelming, and one prepares for tears in a film about a child’s death, but I did not expect to cry this much.”
What Oscar Nominations Did ‘Hamnet’ Receive?
Hamnet has received eight nominations for the 2026 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Directing for Chloé Zhao. Zhao made history as the first woman of color to win best director in 2021 for her film Nomadland.
Jessie Buckley is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role and is widely seen as the frontrunner, having already won at SAG’s Actor Awards, the BAFTA Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and Golden Globe Awards.
Other nominations for Hamnet include Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) for Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell, Best Music (Original Score) for Max Richter, Best Casting for Nina Gold, Best Costume Design for Malgosia Turzanska, and Best Production Design for Fiona Crombie and Alice Felton.
How to Watch ‘Hamnet’
Hamnet is available for streaming on Peacock starting Friday, March 6.
