Irish actress Jessie Buckley has extended her remarkable awards season success with a prestigious Bafta nomination for her performance in the historical drama Hamnet. The film, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Chloe Zhao, has achieved a significant milestone in British Academy of Film and Television Arts history, securing the most nominations ever for a film directed by a woman.
Record-Breaking Achievement for Female-Led Cinema
Hamnet has garnered an impressive eleven Bafta nominations, surpassing previous records for female-directed productions. This achievement highlights the growing recognition of women's contributions behind the camera in the film industry. The nominations span major categories including Best Film, Outstanding British Film, and Best Director for Chloe Zhao.
Buckley's Awards Season Dominance
Jessie Buckley has demonstrated exceptional consistency throughout this awards season for her portrayal of Agnes Hathaway, historically known as Anne Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare. Her performance in this adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's celebrated novel has already earned her an Oscar nomination, along with prestigious awards including the Golden Globe and Critics' Choice trophies.
Buckley's co-star Paul Mescal, who plays William Shakespeare in the film, has received a Bafta nomination for Best Supporting Actor. This recognition comes shortly after his unexpected omission from the Oscar nominations. Meanwhile, Emily Watson has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the production.
Competition at the 2026 Bafta Awards
The Bafta nominations reveal a diverse and competitive field for the upcoming awards ceremony. Paul Thomas Anderson's film One Battle After Another leads with fourteen nominations, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio. Chase Infiniti has earned a Best Actress nomination for the same film, despite being overlooked by the Academy Awards.
Ryan Coogler's genre-blending film Sinners, which transitions from historical crime drama to horror, follows closely with thirteen nominations. The film has already made Oscar history with sixteen nominations, and at the Baftas, Michael B. Jordan is nominated for Best Actor for his dual role as twins Smoke and Stack Moore.
Marty Supreme, featuring Timothée Chalamet as a determined table tennis player, matches Hamnet with eleven nominations, including Best Actor, Best Film, and Best Director for Josh Safdie.
British Cinema Representation
The nominations also celebrate British filmmaking talent, with I Swear receiving five nominations. This authentic portrayal of a man with Tourette's syndrome growing up in 1980s Scotland has been recognized in categories including Outstanding British Film, Best Actor for Robert Aramayo, and Best Supporting Actor for Peter Mullan.
Industry Perspectives on the Nominations
Jane Millichip, Chief Executive of Bafta, commented to the PA news agency that this year's nominations showcase "an incredible breadth of storytelling" with "bold, unique takes and styles on display." She noted that films are tackling significant themes including "the ambiguity of activism, black identity, and corruption" through diverse approaches, alongside "exquisite personal films" like Hamnet and I Swear.
Emily Stillman, Chairwoman of the Bafta Film Committee, added that many of this year's nominated films focus on "human connectivity and human stories." She emphasized that during challenging global times, these narratives "promote kindness and thought about human relationships," highlighting the cultural importance of cinematic storytelling.
The 2026 Bafta Film Awards ceremony will take place at London's Royal Festival Hall on February 22nd, where winners across all categories will be announced.
