Irish Talent Shines as Oscar Nominations Unveil Historic Contenders
The announcement of the 2026 Academy Award nominations has delivered both expected recognition and unprecedented milestones, with Irish actress Jessie Buckley securing a coveted Best Actress nomination and the vampire epic Sinners making history with a staggering 16 nods.
Buckley Emerges as Frontrunner for Prestigious Award
Jessie Buckley's nomination comes for her acclaimed portrayal of Agnes Hathaway, historically known as Anne, the wife of William Shakespeare, in the period drama Hamnet. The film adapts Maggie O'Farrell's award-winning novel, exploring the Bard's family life and the tragic death of his young son.
Industry observers widely consider Buckley the frontrunner in the category, following her recent triumphs at the Golden Globe and Critics' Choice awards. She faces formidable competition from Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Emma Stone for Bugonia, and Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value.
Sinners Shatters Oscar Nomination Record
Ryan Coogler's cinematic phenomenon Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twins, has achieved what no film has before, securing 16 Academy Award nominations. This remarkable feat surpasses the previous record of 14 nominations, jointly held by cinematic classics All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land.
The film's nominations span multiple categories, including:
- Best Picture
- Best Director for Ryan Coogler
- Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan
- Best Supporting Actress for British-Nigerian star Wunmi Mosaku
- Best Supporting Actor for London-born Delroy Lindo
- The Academy's inaugural casting prize
Notable Contenders and Surprising Omissions
The supporting actress category sees Wunmi Mosaku competing against Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Sentimental Value, Amy Madigan for Weapons, and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another. In the leading actor race, Michael B. Jordan faces off against frontrunner Timothee Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent.
Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, a film about a former revolutionary attempting to save his teenage daughter, garnered 13 nominations, including Best Picture. Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood received a nomination for his score, adding to his previous nominations for Phantom Thread and The Power of the Dog.
Notable omissions from the list included Irish star Paul Mescal, who had been widely tipped for a Supporting Actor nomination for Hamnet, and Ariana Grande, who missed out in the Supporting Actress category for her role in Wicked: For Good.
Directorial Recognition and Best Picture Landscape
The Best Director category features Chloe Zhao for Hamnet, who previously made history as the second woman and first woman of colour to win the Oscar for Nomadland in 2021. She is joined by Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme, Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value, Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another, and Ryan Coogler for Sinners.
The race for Best Picture includes a diverse slate of contenders:
- Bugonia
- F1
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
- Train Dreams
- Marty Supreme
- The Secret Agent
- One Battle After Another
Ceremony Details and Broadcasting Information
The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony will be hosted by veteran comedian and television personality Conan O'Brien in Hollywood on March 15. For viewers in the United Kingdom, the event will be broadcast live on ITV, ITVX, STV, and STV Player, ensuring widespread accessibility for audiences eager to witness the historic night unfold.
