Jessie Buckley's Shakespearean Good Luck Charm for the Oscars Revealed
Jessie Buckley, the 36-year-old actress, has disclosed the Shakespearean good luck charm she is keeping in her handbag as she vies for the Best Actress Oscar at the 98th Academy Awards this Sunday. The Best Actress hopeful, who has garnered critical acclaim for her role in Hamnet as a grief-stricken mother named Agnes, has been a standout throughout this year's awards season.
Red Carpet Revelation and Personal Connection
After captivating photographers on the red carpet, Buckley was asked about her favourite Shakespeare line from Hamnet. She responded with a heartfelt quote, saying, 'My favourite sonnet that I love, which a friend of mine messaged me and actually Chanel, in my handbag, put on a piece of tissue to put in my bag, is "When to the sessions of sweet silent thought, I summon up remembrance of things past".' This is the opening line of Shakespeare's Sonnet 30, which delves into themes of memory, regret, grief, and the healing power of love.
The quote describes the act of quiet reflection and intentionally recalling past memories. While the "sessions" start peacefully, they act as a mental courtroom where the poet laments lost friends and regrets, resonating deeply with Buckley's character as a grieving mother in the film.
Oscars Ceremony and Host Details
The 98th Academy Awards, celebrating the best films of 2025, will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Conan O'Brien, 62, is returning to host the ceremony for a second consecutive year, succeeding Jimmy Kimmel. For the event, Jessie Buckley made a stunning appearance in a custom Chanel red-and-pink satin gown, adding to the glamour of the occasion.
Competition and Nominations Overview
Ryan Coogler's horror film Sinners leads the nominations with a record-breaking 16 nods, the most in Academy Awards history. It is among the ten films competing for Best Picture, alongside Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, and Train Dreams.
In the Best Actor category, Michael B. Jordan from Sinners faces stiff competition from Timothee Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent). The race is currently a dead heat, with Chalamet winning early awards but Jordan gaining momentum after the Actor Awards.
Jessie Buckley is the frontrunner for Best Actress, contending with Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I would Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), and Emma Stone (Bugonia). Hamnet, directed by Chloe Zhao, reimagines William Shakespeare's home life and how his son's death influenced Hamlet.
Other Key Categories and Films
Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another earned 13 nominations, including Best Director, Best Actor for DiCaprio, and Supporting Actor nods for Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn. The Best Supporting Actor category also features Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Delroy Lindo (Sinners), and Stellan Skarsgard (Sentimental Value).
Additional highlights include nominations for Best International Feature Film, such as The Secret Agent from Brazil and Sentimental Value from Norway, and categories like Best Original Score, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects, showcasing a diverse range of cinematic achievements.
