Jessie Buckley wins best actress at 2026 Baftas – The Irish Times

Jessie Buckley’s awards season momentum continued Sunday night with a Best Actress win at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) awards. This follows her win of the equivalent Irish Film and Television Academy award just two days prior in Dublin. This marks the first time an Irish performer has received the Best Actress prize at Bafta.

A Historic Win for Buckley

Buckley was recognized for her portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet. She delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech at the Royal Festival Hall on London’s South Bank, describing the win as “nuts.” She dedicated the award to “the women past, present and future who taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently.”

Family and Career

Buckley balanced the demands of awards season with personal commitments, notably mentioning her daughter, who has accompanied her on the road since she was six weeks old. She described motherhood as “the best role of my life.”

Other Notable Wins and Surprises

While Buckley celebrated a major victory, Paul Mescal, nominated for his role as William Shakespeare in Hamnet, did not win in the Best Supporting Actor category. Sean Penn, absent from the ceremony, took home the award for his performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. The win for Penn is expected to significantly impact the corresponding Oscar race.

Did You Know? Robert Aramayo won both the Best Leading Actor and the EE Rising Star award at the 2026 Baftas.

Richard Baneham secured his second Bafta award in special visual effects for his work on Avatar: Fire and Ash, solidifying his reputation as a leading professional in the field. Element Pictures, the Dublin-based production company, was also recognized as co-producers of Akinola Davies jnr’s My Father’s Shadow, which won Outstanding Debut by a British writer, director or producer.

Unexpected Victory for Aramayo

A significant surprise of the evening was Robert Aramayo’s win for Best Leading Actor in I Swear, beating out nominees including Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio. The film, which tells the story of John Davidson, a campaigner for those with Tourette syndrome, has been successful in the UK and Ireland but has received limited attention from other awards bodies.

Expert Insight: Jessie Buckley’s Bafta win, coupled with her prior Irish Film and Television Academy award, positions her as a strong contender for the upcoming Academy Awards. The momentum from these wins could significantly increase her chances of success, particularly given the historical significance of an Irish performer winning the prestigious award.

One Battle After Another ultimately won Best Film, while Hamnet received the award for Outstanding British Film. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners also saw success, winning awards for original screenplay, original score, and best supporting actress for Wunmi Mosaku.

Looking Ahead

Buckley will next compete at the Actor Awards (formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards) before heading to the Oscars on March 15th in Hollywood. Should she win, she would become the first Irishwoman to ever win the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won Best Actress at the 2026 Baftas?

Jessie Buckley won Best Actress at the 2026 Baftas for her role in Hamnet.

Which film won Best Film at the 2026 Baftas?

One Battle After Another won Best Film at the 2026 Baftas.

Who won Best Leading Actor at the 2026 Baftas?

Robert Aramayo won Best Leading Actor at the 2026 Baftas for his role in I Swear.

With Jessie Buckley’s impressive run, what does this signify for the future of Irish representation in international film?