Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley: Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Dec 9, 2025

Guest

Jessie Buckley

Guest

Paul Mescal

Paul Mescal, an acclaimed Irish actor famed for his roles in Aftersun and Normal People, stars as William Shakespeare in the film adaptation of Hamnet. Jessie Buckley, an award-nominated actress known for The Lost Daughter, plays Agnes. Together, they delve into the humanizing narrative of Shakespeare’s family as portrayed by Maggie O'Farrell. Their discussion reveals the depth of Shakespeare's son Hamnet and the emotional weight of his family’s story. They also share their favorite reads and admit to classics still left on their shelves.

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INSIGHT

Family-Centered Reimagining Of Shakespeare

Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet reframes Shakespeare by centering his family instead of deifying him.
The novel humanises Anne Hathaway (Agnes) and explores grief as the seed of creative work.

ANECDOTE

Learning Shakespeare Had A Son

Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley describe discovering Shakespeare's family life through the book.
Paul says learning Shakespeare had a son and seeing their portrayed life felt like the version he chooses to believe.

INSIGHT

Restoring Anne Hathaway's Agency

Jessie Buckley highlights Maggie O'Farrell restoring dignity and agency to Anne Hathaway.
She argues Agnes is portrayed as strong and essential to Shakespeare's emotional life, not a footnote.

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As soon as I started a book club, I knew we’d have to read Hamnet at some point. Hamnet is a fictional imagination of the life of Anne Hathaway -- here called Agnes because that’s what her family called her -- as well as her children. It’s about the family of William Shakespeare, but in the book he is never called by name. Instead, the spotlight is shifted to his family who are so often a mere footnote in his biography. Here, they are the focal point. Unfortunately his son Hamnet tragically died aged just eleven and, while not much is known about his cause of death, here Maggie O’Farrell speculates what may have happened.

Today we are joined by two special guests who know a thing or two about Hamnet. Paul Mescal is an Academy Award nominated actor, having starred in Aftersun, Gladiator II, All of Us Strangers and of course Normal People. Now he stars as William Shakespeare in the Hamnet film adaptation which is in cinemas in the US today, and in the UK from the 9th of January. He stars alongside Jessie Buckley who plays Agnes. Jessie is also an Academy Award nominated actress, known for her roles in The Lost Daughter, Fargo, Women Talking, and for her portrayal of Sally Bowles in the West End revival of the musical Cabaret.

When I tell you, their portrayals of the characters in this film are just spellbinding. You are totally captivated from the moment they step onto the screen, right to the final frame. I genuinely don’t think this could have been done better and I hope they’re both ready to be nominated for Academy Awards once again because I can’t tell you how much they deserve it. This film is emotionally intense, exploring themes of grief, illness, and heartache. Both deliver career-defining performances – all I’m saying is prepare to sob. Not at this interview though – I mean I hope not at this interview – but certainly at the film.

I sat down with Paul and Jessie to discuss this project, as well as their favourite books. Please welcome to the Inklings book club, Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley…

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