Jessie Buckley Makes Oscar History as First Irish Woman to Win Best Actress
Jessie Buckley, the 36-year-old actress from County Kerry, Ireland, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first Irish woman to win the Best Actress award at the Oscars. Her victory came for her poignant role in the film Hamnet, which was celebrated at the prestigious ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
A Night of Record-Breaking Achievements for Women
Buckley's win was part of a historic evening that saw multiple female winners shattering barriers. In her acceptance speech, she paid tribute to her homeland by concluding in Gaelic, saying 'Go raibh maith agaibh, slán,' which translates to 'Thank you very much, goodbye.' She triumphed over a competitive field that included Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value, and Emma Stone for Bugonia.
Hamnet is a dramatic adaptation based on the novel of the same name, set in 16th-century England. The story follows Agnes and William Shakespeare, portrayed by Buckley and Paul Mescal, as they grapple with the devastating loss of their son Hamnet to the plague. Buckley's character, Agnes, is a healer who must find strength to care for her surviving children while processing her grief.
Other Historic Wins at the 2026 Oscars
Buckley was not the only woman to make history on Sunday night. Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for Sinners, becoming the first woman and first black person to ever receive this award. Arkapaw, who is of Filipino and African American Creole descent, beat out an otherwise all-male category that included Dan Laustsen for Frankenstein, Darius Khondji for Marty Supreme, Michael Bauman for One Battle After Another, and Adolpho Veloso for Train Dreams.
Additionally, Amy Madigan made history by winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in the supernatural mystery horror film Weapons. At 75 years old, Madigan is the first woman to win in this category for a horror film in nearly six decades. She faced stiff competition from Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Sentimental Value, Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another.
In the newly introduced Casting category, Cassandra Kulukundis secured the first-ever prize for One Battle After Another, further highlighting the night's focus on female achievements.
Key Winners and Memorable Moments
The 2026 Oscars featured several notable victories across various categories:
- Best Picture: One Battle After Another
- Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, who upset favorite Timothée Chalamet
- Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another
- Best Animated Film: KPop Demon Hunters, which also won Best Original Song for Golden
- Best Supporting Actor: Sean Penn for One Battle After Another, though he was not in attendance
One Battle After Another emerged as the biggest winner of the evening, securing awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor. Meanwhile, Ryan Coogler earned his first Oscar win for Best Original Screenplay with Sinners, a film centered around two brothers confronting vampires in their hometown.
The ceremony was marked by emotional moments, including Arkapaw's touching win for Best Cinematography and Jordan's disbelief upon receiving the Best Actor award. The night underscored a significant shift towards diversity and recognition of women in the film industry, with Buckley's historic win serving as a standout highlight.
