Jessie Buckley opens up about being ‘scared of love’ before marrying husband

Jessie Buckley has reflected on love, life, and family in a candid new interview.

The Hamnet star, 36, revealed to Deadline on Feb. 16 that she spent much of her life “scared of love” before finding her husband, Freddie. 

The couple married in 2023 and welcomed their first child, a daughter, in the fall of 2025.

“Love is terrifying,” Buckley told the outlet. “I have been scared of love for a lot of my life, and it took me a long while to discover what that word even meant for me, not just the idea of it. I think sometimes love at first sight, it’s too much of a projected idea for it to… You can’t just make a meal. You have to cook it.”

Buckley said she believes in love at first sight, but described it as “not what I ever expect it to be… It can transform into something very different, layered, complex, and full.”

The actress shared details about her home life with Freddie, explaining how she finds grounding in everyday routines. 

“I have tracksuit pants that are eaten by moths to within an inch of their life. I have a bath that’s old. I light fires. We don’t have a TV. I cook,” she said. 

“I just do the simplest things… I need to step off. I need to step out. I just like to simmer in it, but also be human and be with my husband, be with my daughter, cook, not care.”

Buckley and Freddie first met on a blind date in Hackney, London, arranged by music executive Marc Robinson, according to British Vogue. 

Despite her public profile, Freddie rarely accompanies Buckley to industry events due to his work as a mental health professional, which requires discretion.

The actress’s personal reflections come amid a celebrated awards season. 

She recently won Best Actress at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards and Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture at the Golden Globes for Hamnet.