Jessie Buckley has spoken with admiration and gratitude about her Hamnet costar Paul Mescal following his omission from the 2026 Academy Awards nominations. While Mescal earned recognition throughout the awards season, he was notably absent from the Oscars’ final list of nominees for Best Supporting Actor, a decision that surprised many observers.
After the nominations were announced on January 22, Buckley shared her reaction in an interview, emphasizing the deep creative bond she formed with Mescal during the filming of Hamnet. She described him as an exceptional artist and made it clear that their collaboration went beyond a single project. According to Buckley, working with Mescal shaped both the film and her own performance in a profound way, leading her to regard him as a creative partner for life.
Mescal portrayed William Shakespeare in the film, a fictionalized exploration of the playwright’s marriage and personal loss. Despite being overlooked by the Academy, he had previously received nominations from major industry bodies, including the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards. His absence from the Oscars shortlist was therefore seen as one of the most unexpected exclusions of the year.
Buckley, who received a Best Actress nomination for her portrayal of Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife, stressed that her performance cannot be separated from Mescal’s contribution. She explained that every emotional layer of her character was shaped by their shared work and mutual trust. In her view, any recognition the film receives is inseparable from what Mescal brought to the story.
In a separate statement celebrating her own nomination, Buckley expressed gratitude to the creative team behind Hamnet, particularly the film’s director and the wider group of artists involved. She highlighted the courage and vulnerability required to bring such a story to life and noted that the honor of being nominated extends to everyone who poured themselves into the project.
The Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15, with Conan O’Brien returning as host. While awards recognition remains an important milestone in the film industry, Buckley’s comments underline a broader truth: for many artists, lasting creative partnerships and shared artistic achievements carry meaning far beyond trophies.
After the nominations were announced on January 22, Buckley shared her reaction in an interview, emphasizing the deep creative bond she formed with Mescal during the filming of Hamnet. She described him as an exceptional artist and made it clear that their collaboration went beyond a single project. According to Buckley, working with Mescal shaped both the film and her own performance in a profound way, leading her to regard him as a creative partner for life.
Mescal portrayed William Shakespeare in the film, a fictionalized exploration of the playwright’s marriage and personal loss. Despite being overlooked by the Academy, he had previously received nominations from major industry bodies, including the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards. His absence from the Oscars shortlist was therefore seen as one of the most unexpected exclusions of the year.
Buckley, who received a Best Actress nomination for her portrayal of Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife, stressed that her performance cannot be separated from Mescal’s contribution. She explained that every emotional layer of her character was shaped by their shared work and mutual trust. In her view, any recognition the film receives is inseparable from what Mescal brought to the story.
In a separate statement celebrating her own nomination, Buckley expressed gratitude to the creative team behind Hamnet, particularly the film’s director and the wider group of artists involved. She highlighted the courage and vulnerability required to bring such a story to life and noted that the honor of being nominated extends to everyone who poured themselves into the project.
The Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15, with Conan O’Brien returning as host. While awards recognition remains an important milestone in the film industry, Buckley’s comments underline a broader truth: for many artists, lasting creative partnerships and shared artistic achievements carry meaning far beyond trophies.