Irish actress Jessie Buckley won the Academy Award for Best Actress at the 98th Oscars for her role in Hamnet, delivering an emotional speech that paid tribute to her husband, daughter, and Irish heritage. The ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, saw Buckley almost in tears as her name was announced.
In her speech, Buckley thanked the film's producers and her fellow nominees, but reserved special words for her family. 'My Irish family, they’re all here. Mom, Dad, thank you for teaching us to dream and to never be defined by expectation,' she said. She addressed her husband Fred: 'You’re my best friend, and I want to have 20,000 more babies with you.'
Buckley also dedicated her award to her eight-month-old daughter Isla, who 'has absolutely no idea what’s going on and is probably dreaming of milk'. Noting that it was Mother's Day in the UK, she added: 'I would like to dedicate this to the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart. We all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds.'
The win marked Buckley's first Oscar, following a previous nomination for The Lost Daughter. She had been a favourite after sweeping the SAG Awards, BAFTAs, Critics' Choice, and Golden Globes for her performance. Her main competition was Rose Byrne, who had also won a Golden Globe, but Buckley ultimately took the prize.
