Jessie Buckley Becomes First Irish Woman To Win Best Actress BAFTA

Ireland celebrated a landmark night at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, with Jessie Buckley making history as the first Irish woman to win Leading Actress.

The Kerry-born actress took home the award for her powerful portrayal of Agnes, William Shakespeare’s grieving wife, in Hamnet — a film led by two Irish stars, Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. Her win marks a major moment not only for her own career, but for Irish cinema more broadly.

@bbc Radical 👏 Disobedient 👏 Brilliant 👏 Jessie Buckley wins Leading Actress 🤩 #BAFTA #BAFTAFilmAwards #JessieBuckley ♬ original sound - BBC

Buckley had been widely tipped as the favourite heading into the ceremony, and she delivered, securing Ireland its most high-profile win of the night. It is the first time an Irish actress has won the BAFTA for Leading Actress, a milestone achievement that places her alongside some of the most celebrated performers in British and international film.

But while Buckley’s victory will dominate headlines back home, Ireland’s presence at this year’s BAFTAs went far beyond a single award.

@filmthusiastofficial

The best film of 2025, and one of the most beautiful films in a long time. Chloé Zhao’s ‘Hamnet.’

♬ original sound - filmthusiast

This is not the first award Jessie Buckley has received for her outstaning performance in Hamnet. On Friday night, she swept up the IFTA Award for Best Lead Actress.

@ifta

Jessie Buckley accepts the IFTA Award for Lead Actress for her performance in Hamnet, presented to her by Stephen Rea at the 2026 IFTA Awards.

♬ original sound - IFTA

Hamnet itself enjoyed a strong showing throughout the evening. In addition to Buckley’s acting win, the film was named Outstanding British Film, further cementing its impact. The project — anchored by two of Ireland’s most acclaimed actors in Buckley and Paul Mescal — had been nominated across multiple categories, underlining the scale of its recognition.

Even where Irish nominees did not ultimately win, the visibility matters. Mescal’s involvement in a multi-nominated production reflects his continued rise following acclaimed roles on both stage and screen. The fact that an Irish-led film competed so strongly across major categories signals the growing influence of Irish talent within the UK and global industry.

Some of the best and brightest of Irish talent were attending. Among others, Cillian Murphy showed up with his wife Yvonne McGuinness - a rare oublic appreance for the couple! Maura Higgins stunned in a designer dress. Paul Mescal brought musician and girlfriend Gracie Abrams to the ceremony.

@thespillpod Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness arrive at the 2026 BAFTA Awards ♥️♥️♥️ #baftas #cillianmurphy #yvonnemcguinness #peakyblinders #cillianmurphyedit ♬ original sound - meet me in the hallway

The night’s top prize, Best Film, went to One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. It also picked up awards for Director and Cinematography, making it one of the most decorated films of the ceremony.

Elsewhere, Robert Aramayo triumphed in a surprise victory for Leading Actor for his performance in I Swear, beating major Hollywood names including Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. Aramayo also secured the Rising Star Award, becoming the first performer to win both categories in the same year.

Meanwhile, Wunmi Mosaku won Supporting Actress for Sinners, with Sean Penn taking Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another. The animated sequel Zootropolis 2 claimed Animated Film, and Ludwig Göransson won Original Score for Sinners.

However, from an Irish perspective, the true significance of the night lies in visibility and momentum.

Buckley’s win is particularly symbolic. For decades, Irish actresses have earned nominations and acclaim, but rarely have they broken through in the Leading Actress category at the BAFTAs. Her victory sends a strong message about the calibre of Irish performers currently working at the highest level of the industry.

And with Paul Mescal continuing to headline ambitious projects, alongside a growing pipeline of Irish writers, directors and crew working behind the scenes on international productions, the broader picture is one of sustained success rather than a one-off triumph.

For Irish audiences watching at home, it was a night of pride — and a clear reminder that Irish storytelling and talent continue to resonate far beyond these shores.