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Emily Watson received heartfelt praise from costar Jessie Buckley at the 2026 Actor Awards. Buckley won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her role as Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet, making her the first Irish performer to ever win this category.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Award Winner: Jessie Buckley won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role at the Actor Awards held March 1, 2026.
- Historic Achievement: Buckley is the first Irish performer to ever win this category, positioning her as Oscar frontrunner.
- Emotional Tribute: During her acceptance speech, Buckley tearfully thanked Emily Watson, calling her “the realest of the real.”
- Awards Sweep: Buckley has dominated the 2026 awards circuit with wins at the Golden Globes and BAFTAs prior to the Actor Awards.
Buckley’s Tearful Tribute to Her Costar
Jessie Buckley spotlighted her Hamnet costar Emily Watson during the 2026 Actor Awards ceremony. The emotional speech centered on the bond between the two actresses and Watson’s profound influence on Buckley’s career.
“I would like to say a special thank you to my incredible friend and date tonight, Emily Watson,” Buckley said from the stage. “The best advice you always give to me is to always go back to the well of just being human. You’re the realest of the real.”
Emily Watson praised by Jessie Buckley at Actor Awards for Hamnet performance
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Watson’s Career Impact on Buckley’s Journey
Buckley revealed that Watson‘s performances had shaped her artistic ambitions long before they worked together on Hamnet. The Irish actress credited Watson as a major inspiration for pursuing acting itself.
“Breaking the Waves made me say to myself, that’s what I want to do,” Buckley explained, referencing Watson‘s breakthrough film role. The actress emphasized how Watson‘s grounded humanity has guided her own approach to performance and storytelling.
The Hamnet Awards Triumph
| Detail | Information |
| Film | Hamnet |
| Director | Chloé Zhao |
| Cast | Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, Noah Jupe |
| Buckley’s Role | Agnes Shakespeare |
Hamnet continues its dominant run at the 2026 awards shows with multiple wins. Jessie Buckley’s victory comes after the film won Outstanding British Film at the BAFTA Film Awards earlier this month.
The film tells the story of Agnes and William Shakespeare, exploring the personal tragedy of losing their son Hamnet to plague. Watson plays Mary Shakespeare, William’s mother, delivering a powerful supporting performance.
Buckley’s Awards Season Dominance
Buckley’s Actor Award win marks another major victory in what has been an unprecedented sweep of the major precursor awards. She previously won at the Golden Globes and BAFTA Film Awards, cementing her status as the overwhelming favorite heading into the Oscars.
“I have been categorically changed by so many people in this room and beyond. What a way to spend a life.”
— Jessie Buckley, 2026 Actor Awards acceptance speech
What This Means for the Oscars
Based on her recent victories, Buckley enters the Academy Awards in just two weeks as the clear frontrunner for Best Actress. History shows that winners who sweep the major precursor awards like the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Actor Awards almost always win the Oscar.
The 2026 Actor Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles on March 1, and were streamed on Netflix. The ceremony, formerly known as the SAG Awards, has been renamed to better reflect its focus on honoring actors in film and television.
