Jessie Buckley Triumphs at BAFTA Awards with Lead Actress Win
Irish actress Jessie Buckley continued her remarkable award season success on Sunday night, clinching the BAFTA for Lead Actress at the prestigious ceremony held at London's Royal Festival Hall. The 36-year-old star emotionally accepted the honour for her portrayal of Agnes, William Shakespeare's wife, in Chloe Zhao's film adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel Hamnet. This victory adds to her growing accolades, positioning her as a frontrunner for the upcoming Oscars.
Celebratory Afterparty with Fellow Nominees
Following her win, Jessie Buckley headed to the Universal and Focus Features BAFTA afterparty at Oswald's in London, where she was joined by fellow nominees Kate Hudson and Emma Stone. Demonstrating her festive spirit, Jessie underwent an outfit change, swapping her eye-catching blue ceremony dress for a sophisticated long-sleeved black midi dress with a ruffled hem. She completed the look with simple black heels, beaming with joy as she arrived at the venue.
Kate Hudson made a striking appearance in a sequined red dress, holding hands with her long-term partner Danny Fujikawa and accessorising with a pair of dazzling diamond earrings. To ward off the evening chill, she draped a camel-coloured tailored coat over her shoulders. Emma Stone, equally radiant, waved to fans while smiling broadly, having changed into a black mini dress worn under a black coat.
Emotional Acceptance Speech and Reflections
During the ceremony, Jessie Buckley delivered a heartfelt speech, recalling her journey from a young dreamer with a nuclear bad fake tan to a celebrated actress. She expressed gratitude to her agent, Lindy King, for encouraging her disobedient and curious nature, and dedicated the award to the women who have inspired her. In a touching moment, she acknowledged her young daughter, stating, It’s the best role of my life being your mum.
Notably, Jessie momentarily forgot to include Kate Hudson in her thank-you list, prompting her to ask the audience, Who have I left out? before praising all her fellow nominees for their incredible performances. She also thanked author Maggie O'Farrell for bringing the mother out of the shadows in the story of Shakespeare's wife.
Other Highlights and Winners of the Evening
The 2026 British Academy Film Awards saw One Battle After Another emerge as the big winner, scooping six gongs including Best Film, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and Adapted Screenplay. The film had received a record 14 nominations, with Anderson expressing his delight and plans to celebrate at a bar.
In a surprising turn, Timothee Chalamet missed out on the Best Actor award, which went to home-grown favourite Robert Aramayo for his role in I Swear. Aramayo's father was visibly ecstatic, jumping and shouting upon hearing his son's name. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated film Marty Supreme left empty-handed despite 11 nominations.
Additional stars at the afterparty included Hannah Waddingham, who turned heads in a stunning glittering red halter neck dress, and Kirsten Dunst, who opted for an eye-catching baby pink jacket with billowing sleeves, accompanied by her husband Jesse Plemons.
With Hamnet securing two awards and One Battle After Another dominating the night, the ceremony celebrated a diverse range of cinematic achievements, underscoring a vibrant year for the film industry.
