Oscar Contender Jessie Buckley Balances Stardom with Motherhood Duties
As the 98th Academy Awards approach this Sunday, Irish star Jessie Buckley finds herself at the pinnacle of her career, yet her thoughts often drift to the humble task of changing her six-month-old daughter's nappy. The 36-year-old actress, who has already secured a Critics Choice Award, a Golden Globe, and a Bafta this season, jokes about the surreal contrast between Hollywood glamour and parental responsibilities.
A Pinch-Me Moment for the Down-to-Earth Star
In an exclusive interview, Buckley, known for her role in Hamnet, admits that this awards season feels overwhelming. "It's kind of hard to take in," she says, adding that she might only have a clear perspective on it all when she's 80. The Killarney-born actress, who lives in Norfolk with her husband Freddie Sorensen, a mental health worker, and their daughter, describes attending the Oscar nominee luncheon as a mix of excitement and exhaustion.
"Sometimes you're getting in the car and you're like, 'Oh god, I'm tired. And I have a six-month-old, and I should be at home changing her nappy. What am I doing? And I don't know anybody there, I'm scared,'" Buckley reveals. Despite the nerves, she cherishes the experience, calling it a "heightened moment" filled with awe as she rubs shoulders with industry giants like Guillermo del Toro and Emma Stone.
From BBC Talent Show to Oscar Favourite
Buckley's rise to fame began seventeen years ago on the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything, and she never anticipated such success. "This is beyond my wildest expectations," she confesses. Her performance in Hamnet, a film directed by Chloé Zhao and co-written with Maggie O'Farrell, has earned eight Oscar nominations, positioning her as the odds-on favourite for the Best Actress prize. The movie explores the story of Agnes and William Shakespeare, focusing on the death of their son Hamnet and its influence on Hamlet.
Friendship with Paul Mescal and Creative Collaborations
Buckley speaks warmly about her friendship with co-star Paul Mescal, which started on the set of Lost Daughter with Olivia Colman. Their first meeting involved staying up until 4am drinking and singing. "We just knew each other from around," she recalls, highlighting their bond that deepened during filming. She hopes to work with Mescal again, praising his versatility as an actor who has transitioned from Shakespeare to playing Paul McCartney in an upcoming biopic.
Her collaboration with director Chloé Zhao began at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado, where they discussed motherhood and death over breakfast. This conversation led to Buckley reading Hamnet in one night, solidifying her commitment to the role. Zhao even visited Buckley's 15th-century home, where they shared a meal by the fire, fostering a creative partnership.
Motherhood and Artistic Passion
While filming Hamnet, Buckley was contemplating motherhood, which she describes as a "ferocious tenderness." She believes that storytelling, whether in cinema or theatre, holds communities together. Reflecting on her first theatrical experience watching Jesus Christ Superstar, she says, "I was so sure a man had been crucified in front of my eyes that I was inconsolable. It's magic."
In addition to her acting, Buckley is an acclaimed singer, recently collaborating with Hozier on a tribute album to Shane MacGowan. As she prepares for the Oscars, she remains grounded, juggling the demands of fame with the joys of family life, proving that even in Hollywood's spotlight, some things never change.
