Jessie Buckley's I'd Do Anything Co-Stars Share Pride Over Historic Oscar Victory
Jessie Buckley's former co-stars from the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything have publicly expressed their immense pride and support following her groundbreaking Best Actress Oscar win. The Irish actress, aged 36, made history at the Oscars on Sunday by becoming the first Irish winner in the Best Actress category, a remarkable achievement for her heartwrenching portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare in the film Hamnet.
From Musical Theatre to Hollywood Stardom
Despite her current flourishing Hollywood career, Jessie Buckley's journey began in the world of musical theatre. In 2008, she finished as the runner-up on the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything, which was overseen by the renowned theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber. During the show, she competed against 11 other contestants for the coveted role of Nancy in a revival of the musical Oliver. This early experience laid the foundation for her subsequent success on the global stage.
Co-Stars Rally in Support
Following her historic Oscar win, several of Buckley's former co-stars from I'd Do Anything have taken to social media to celebrate her accomplishment. Northern Irish contestant Rachel Tucker, who came fourth on the show and has since played Elphaba in Wicked on the West End, shared her excitement on Monday. Tucker reshared a video posted by Irish broadcaster RTE on her Instagram Story, which showed a packed pub in her home county of Kerry, filled with revellers cheering as Buckley received the award.
Another co-star, Katie Hall, who was selected for boot camp on I'd Do Anything but did not advance to the live shows, also showed her support. Hall, currently starring as Sally Bowles in Cabaret on the West End—a role that Buckley originated in the 2021 adaptation—shared a picture of Buckley holding her Oscar on her Instagram Story. She wrote, 'Of course she won, there was no other option! Huge congratulations to our incredible original Sally @kitkatclubldn.'
A Triumphant Night for Buckley and Fellow Winners
In her Oscars acceptance speech, Jessie Buckley paid tribute to her home country by ending in Gaelic, saying 'Go raibh maith agaibh, slán,' which translates to 'Thank you very much, goodbye.' She triumphed over a strong field of nominees, including Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value, and Emma Stone for Bugonia.
The film Hamnet, based on the novel of the same name, explores the grief of Agnes and William Shakespeare, portrayed by Buckley and Paul Mescal, after they lose their son Hamnet to the plague in 16th-century England. Agnes, a healer, must find the strength to care for her surviving children while processing her devastating loss, a role that showcased Buckley's profound acting skills.
The Oscars ceremony also featured other notable wins, with Michael B. Jordan securing the Best Actor award for his role in Sinners, and Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another earning multiple accolades, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for his work in the same film, though he was not present to accept the award.
Overall, the evening was a celebration of talent and achievement, with Jessie Buckley's historic win standing out as a particularly poignant moment, warmly acknowledged by her peers from her early career in musical theatre.
