Jessie Buckley Leaves Paul Mescal in Tears During Heartfelt Critics’ Choice Awards Speech
At the 31st annual Critics’ Choice Awards on Sunday, Jan. 4, Jessie Buckley moved the audience, and her “Hamnet” co-star Paul Mescal, during her emotional Best Actress acceptance speech.
The Irish actress, 35, praised Mescal, saying, “Paul, I bloody love you, man. I could drink you like water working with you every single day. You’re a giant of the heart, and thank you so much for making me a little more human.”
Mescal appeared visibly moved by the heartfelt words. The pair had clearly grown close while working together on the historical drama, which explores William Shakespeare, his wife Agnes, and the grief that inspired his play “Hamlet.” Buckley plays Agnes opposite Mescal in the film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel.
Buckley also acknowledged the film’s writer-director, Chloé Zhao, saying, “You have reminded me of the power of telling a story and the journey that you can go on to touch the deepest parts of what it is to be alive.”
this was super sweet. Jessie Buckley made Paul Mescal cry during her Best Actress speech at the Critics' Choice Awards
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) January 5, 2026
"I bloody love you, man, and I know loads of other women do in this room too, but tough shit! I could drink you like water" pic.twitter.com/IjQWe8IsRe
“Hamnet” has already drawn significant acclaim. It was a standout at last fall’s film festivals and earned six Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. While Buckley’s win at Critics’ Choice adds to her growing accolades, Best Picture went to “One Battle After Another” and Best Supporting Actor to Jacob Elordi for “Frankenstein.”
Industry observers suggest Buckley’s powerful performance may make her a strong Oscar contender. Critics have praised her gut-wrenching, tear-filled portrayal of Agnes, and the Academy nominations are expected to be announced later this month.
Buckley’s speech and the moment with Mescal highlight the deep connection between the cast members and the emotional weight of the film. It’s a reminder of how personal and transformative filmmaking can be for actors.
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