Barry Keoghan has experienced the strange intensity of awards season himself. The interviews, the speculation, the rising buzz that builds as the Academy Awards approach. So when he talks about Jessie Buckley heading into Oscar weekend, it comes with a certain level of understanding.
And a lot of admiration.
The Dublin actor didn’t hesitate when discussing Buckley’s Best Actress nomination for Hamnet, Chloé Zhao’s emotional adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel.
In fact, Keoghan said the performance affected him so deeply he could barely hold himself together while watching the film.
Asked what Buckley might be feeling as the Oscars draw closer, he kept his answer simple.
“Just full of excitement, you know. She’s lovely, Jessie, and she deserves it. I mean, she is incredible.”
Keoghan knows the territory. In 2023, he received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance in The Banshees of Inisherin, a role that propelled him into global recognition. That experience seems to have sharpened his appreciation for what Buckley is achieving this year.
The praise didn’t stop there.
Keoghan also highlighted the work of Buckley’s co-star Paul Mescal, who plays William Shakespeare opposite her Agnes in the film. The story focuses on the devastating grief following the death of Shakespeare’s son Hamnet and the emotional journey that ultimately inspires the creation of Hamlet.
Keoghan said watching the two actors together was overwhelming.
“I’ve seen Hamnet, her and Paul are incredible, you know,” he said. “Paul invited me, and I couldn’t stop crying watching that movie, you know, even after seeing Paul’s parents and seeing what a wonderful job he’d done, and it was absolutely touching and gorgeous.”
The emotional reaction says a lot about the tone of the film itself, which has earned nominations in several major categories including Best Picture and Best Director.
Keoghan also had praise for director Chloé Zhao, whom he previously worked with on Marvel’s Eternals. He described the film as “a beautiful film” and clearly holds the filmmaker in high regard.
“And Chloé Zhao, who I’ve worked with as well, was amazing,” he said.
He finished his message with a heartfelt nod of support for Buckley and the entire team heading into the ceremony.
“Irish luck with Jessie that night and everyone involved, and she’s absolutely incredible. I mean that.”
Beyond the awards conversation, Keoghan also offered an update on another major project currently in production: Sam Mendes’ ambitious four-film series telling the story of The Beatles.
Keoghan is playing Ringo Starr, alongside Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson and Joseph Quinn as the rest of the band. According to him, the experience has already created a strong bond between the actors.
“Oh brilliant, man, I love it. I absolutely love it,” he said of working on the films. “Sam Mendes, you know, he’s absolutely, just he’s wonderful.”
More than anything, though, Keoghan emphasised the friendship that’s developed between the four actors portraying the iconic band.
“But the four lads, the three lads, four of us in total, we’re just like brothers, you know,” he said.
“We can sit in silence, and I think that, you know, speaks volumes in terms of how comfy you are with one another.”
For Keoghan, it sounds like another chapter in a career that continues to move forward at remarkable speed.
