'This is nuts': Jessie Buckley wins Bafta for best actress

The Killarney actress has added the Bafta to her Golden Globe and Critic's Choice award for her starring role as Agnes Shakespeare.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Jessie Buckley accepts the Leading Actress Award for 'Hamnet' on stage during the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)

Jessie Buckley has won the Bafta for best leading actress for her performance in Hamnet.

The Killarney actress has added the Bafta to her Golden Globe, Ifta and Critic's Choice award for her starring role as Agnes Shakespeare.

She said: "As a little girl, I never in a million years thought I would get to make a film."

Recalling her early days as an actress, she said: "I had nuclear bad fake tan on, white hoop earrings, a polka-dot red skirt and had the audacity to say one day I wanted to be like Judi Dench.

"This is nuts, this really does belong to the women past, present and future who taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently."

Addressing her fellow nominees, the Irish actress said: "You are all just radical and you are doing it for the naughty girls, and I'm in awe of all your incredible performances."

She added: "I love films and I believe in storytelling. I believe in women's voices to tell those stories."

She continued: "I share this with my daughter, who has been with me since she was six weeks old on the road with this.

"It's the best role of my life being your mum and I promise to continue to be disobedient so you can belong to a world in all your complete wildness as a young woman. I am very grateful for this."

Buckley was presented with the award by fellow Irish star Cillian Murphy.

There was disappointment for Buckley's Hamnet co-star Paul Mescal in the best supporting actor category as he lost out to One Battle After Another'sSean Penn.