FINAL 2026 Oscar Predictions: BEST ACTRESS The 2026 Oscar race for Best Actress has been marked by a mix of strong performances and fierce competition, but one name has consistently stood out: Jessie Buckley. The Irish actress, known for her role in Hamnet, has dominated the awards season with a string of wins, including BAFTA and SAG accolades, and is poised to make history by becoming the first Irish woman to win an Oscar in this category. Her performance in Hamnet, a film that won the Toronto International Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award, has earned her nearly 40 critics’ prizes, the most for any individual this season. Despite the presence of formidable contenders, Buckley’s dominance has remained unchallenged. Renate Reinsve, who starred in Sentimental Value, a Cannes Grand Prize winner, has garnered attention with her European Film Award and critical acclaim. However, her efforts have not been enough to disrupt Buckley’s momentum. Rose Byrne, whose film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You earned a Golden Globe for musical or comedy, also faces an uphill battle, as her work has not translated into the same level of recognition as Buckley’s. The field includes other notable names, such as Emma Stone for Bugonia and Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue. Both have received critical praise and multiple award nominations, but they trail behind Buckley in terms of industry support and critical consensus. The 98th Academy Awards, set to take place on March 15 at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, will determine the final outcome of this tightly contested category. The predictions for Best Actress reflect the consensus among industry insiders and critics, with Buckley’s victory seen as inevitable given her overwhelming performance and the lack of a clear rival.#hamnet #jessie_buckley #toronto_international_film_festival #dolby_theater #oscar_awards
Oscar Volley: Is "Best Actress" Tied Up with a Bow for Jessie Buckley? The Oscar Volleys continue, with Lynn Lee and Nick Taylor analyzing the surprisingly stable race for Best Actress. Buckley’s performance in Hamnet has positioned her as the frontrunner, but the discussion explores whether her win is inevitable. LYNN: At the risk of stating the obvious, Nick, Best Actress has been the most predictable category of the four acting races by far. Is there a world in which Jessie Buckley doesn’t take this? And are we basically fine with that? NICK: I mean, where else is there to start? Buckley is the surest winner of the acting categories, and among a handful of artists—like PTA and Ludwig Göransson—who know they’re winning the Oscar. Buckley has delivered ambitious, awards-worthy turns since her debut in Beast in 2017. Her role as Agnes in Hamnet is an ideal use of her screen persona, blending practical intelligence with precise-yet-walloping emotions. Her characters are irreducibly themselves, their odd edges and peculiar beliefs condemning them to black sheep status even when things are looking their way. She’s incredible, and while the grieving mother is an easy type for awards groups to notice, it shouldn’t diminish the power of her work in Hamnet. LYNN: Those are two separate questions, right? To answer the second one first, I am more than okay with a Buckley win. Her performance in Hamnet is exemplary, highlighting without overplaying the touch of wildness that so entrances Will before it curdles into raw despair over losing their child. She’s most moving in the final scene, where that spark starts to flicker back to life as she finally sees what her husband has done to sublimate and memorialize his grief.#jessie_buckley #lynn_lee #nick_taylor #hamnet #if_i_had_legs_i_d_kick_you
Paul Mescal Wears Cartier at the 2026 SAG Actor Awards Paul Mescal made a striking fashion statement at the 2026 SAG Actor Awards, donning a romantic-inspired look that highlighted his role in the film Hamnet. The Irish actor, who received his first SAG nomination for his performance as William Shakespeare, opted for a champagne silk shirt with a high neckline and a trailing tie, paired with a Cartier pin accessory. The ensemble marked his red carpet appearance at the event, following his previous nominations at the Golden Globes and BAFTA Film Awards. The film Hamnet, directed by Chloe Zhao, earned three SAG nominations, including Mescal’s nod for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role. His co-star, Jessie Buckley, was also recognized for her portrayal of Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes, while the film’s ensemble cast received a separate nomination. The story, structured in three acts, explores the tumultuous relationship between Shakespeare and his wife, focusing on the emotional aftermath of their son Hamnet’s death. The narrative draws parallels to Shakespeare’s own works, such as Romeo & Juliet, but centers on the personal grief that inspired the tragedy Hamlet. Mescal emphasized the film’s exploration of marital dynamics, stating, “What I’m probably most proud of in this film is the balance that exists between Jessie and me, in moments of how we express something that is happening to us as a couple and as two individuals very differently.” He noted that couples often experience the same trauma through vastly different perspectives, a theme central to the film’s portrayal of Shakespeare’s emotional journey.#hamnet #paul_mescal #chloe_zhao #cartier #sag_actor_awards
Actor Awards: Jessie Buckley Wins Best Actress for Hamnet Jessie Buckley secured her second major award of the season by winning the best film actress category at the Actor Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild awards. The ceremony took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, where Buckley, nominated for her role as Agnes Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech. “I want to take a minute to see all these incredible, inspiring faces and souls in front of me,” she said, expressing gratitude for the support of her colleagues and the transformative impact of her work. Buckley’s victory solidifies her position as a leading contender for the Academy Awards in March, following her wins at the Golden Globe, Bafta, and Critics’ Choice awards. Her closest rival, Rose Byrne, had one last chance to challenge her with her performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, but Buckley’s dominance in televised ceremonies has left little room for upsets. The ceremony also highlighted other notable winners. Michael B Jordan claimed the best actor award for his role in Sinners, a film that also took the best ensemble prize. Jordan’s win came as a surprise, with critics noting his performance as a vampire in Ryan Coogler’s film outshining nominations from Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio. Meanwhile, Paul Mescal, nominated for his role in Hamnet, lost out to Sean Penn for best supporting actor. Penn’s win for his portrayal of a despot in Sinners has positioned him as a potential Oscar favorite. Amy Madigan won best supporting actress for her role as a witch in the horror film Weapons, while Catherine O’Hara posthumously received the best television comedy actress award for her role in The Studio.#hamnet #jessie_buckley #chloe_zhao #shrine_auditorium #screen_actors_guild
Jessie Buckley's Oscar Prospects: A Winning Streak Continues Jessie Buckley, the Irish actress, has solidified her position as a rising star in Hollywood after securing a major victory at the Actor Awards, where she was named best actress for her role as Agnes Shakespeare in the film Hamnet. With a Golden Globe and a Bafta already under her belt this year, the question now looms: can Buckley extend her winning streak to the Oscars? Buckley’s recent performances have spanned a diverse range of roles, from the tragic figure of Agnes in Hamnet to the iconic Sally Bowles in the West End musical Cabaret. Her portrayal of Agnes, a wife of William Shakespeare, has earned critical acclaim, particularly for its emotional depth and nuanced storytelling. At the Actor Awards ceremony, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Buckley accepted her award with gratitude, acknowledging the support of her peers and collaborators. Speaking at the event, Buckley reflected on the impact of her colleagues, stating, “I have been categorically changed by so many people in this room and beyond.” She also paid tribute to her co-star Emily Watson, whose work in Breaking The Waves inspired Buckley’s own artistic journey. “To share those scenes with you in Hamnet, I will cherish that for the rest of my life,” she said, highlighting the lasting significance of her collaboration. The film Hamnet, based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, explores the fictionalized lives of Shakespeare, his wife Agnes, and their son Hamnet, whose death is believed to have influenced the writing of Hamlet. The film received six Golden Globe nominations and won two, including best film. Buckley’s performance earned her a Bafta, while the film itself was honored with the BAFTA for outstanding British film.#hamnet #jessie_buckley #emily_watson #maggie_ofarrell #cabaret
