Jennifer Horgan: Jessie Buckley's speech a timely reminder of arts' power for good

Buckley believes the arts can hold our suffering and our grief. In our secular world, it’s possible that they now do more than that — they hold us together

Jessie Buckley speaks after winning Best Actress Award for 'Hamnet', at the Critics Choice Awards. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association

There was something so beautiful about Jessie Buckley’s acceptance speech for her Critics Choice Award this week. I don’t mean appearance-wise, though she did look celestially radiant in silk.

It was how spontaneous she was, starting with a hearty laugh that tumbled into a low, wordless growl, before the release of some good old-fashioned blasphemy: “Jesus Christ, it’s so inspiring to be in this room.” Accepting her Best Actress gong for the film Hamnet, she came across as down-to-earth but also wise and reflective — a beacon of hope and sense in a troubled world.