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Jessie Buckley wins Best Leading Actress at 2026 BAFTAs for 'Hamnet'
The actress dedicated her win to women past, present, and future in cinema
Jessie Buckley has been crowned Best Leading Actress at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 for her performance as Agnes Hathaway in Hamnet.
At London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, Feb. 22, Buckley accepted the award from Cillian Murphy, thanked director Chloe Zhao, author Maggie O'Farrell, the production team, and her family, including her seven-month-old daughter, describing motherhood as “the best role of my life.”
The actress praised the opportunity to portray Shakespeare’s wife, expressing gratitude for the chance to tell a story that celebrates women’s voices and radical creativity in cinema.
"This really does belong to the women past, present and future that have taught me and continued to teach me how to do it differently, she said in her speech.
"You are all just radical, and you're doing it for the naughty girls, and I'm in awe of all your incredible performances.
"I love what I do. I love cinema. I believe in storytelling to bring us together as a community. I believe in women's voices to tell those stories."
The star admitted it was an "incredible honour" to be named Best Leading Actress.
"I never, in a million years, thought I'd be allowed to make a film, as you say in Ireland. So, well, here I am, she added.
"When I came to London, I first arrived at my agent, Lindy King, who's here somewhere, and I had nuclear bad fake tan on. White hoop earrings, Polka dot, red skirt, and dress, and I had the audacity to say to her that someday I dreamed to be a little bit like Judi Dench.
"And I don't know how in God's green earth, with the fake tan, she thought that was even possible, but thank you, Lindy, for always encouraging me to be disobedient and curious and human."
Her heartfelt speech highlighted both professional achievement and personal joy, marking a career-defining moment.