Jessie Buckley’s Emotional Critics’ Choice Speech Moves Paul Mescal to Tears
Jessie Buckley brought the house to tears at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards with a heartfelt speech that left her co-star Paul Mescal visibly emotional.
Buckley, 35, won Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, the historical drama about William Shakespeare, his wife Agnes, and the grief that inspired his iconic play.
During her acceptance speech, Buckley shared her admiration for Mescal, saying, “Paul, I bloody love you, man. And I know loads of other women do in this room too, but tough.” She went on to praise his work and the bond they formed on set. “I could drink you like water working with you every single day. You’re a giant of the heart, and thank you so much for making me a little more human.”
this was super sweet. Jessie Buckley made Paul Mescal cry during her Best Actress speech at the Critics' Choice Awards
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) January 5, 2026
"I bloody love you, man, and I know loads of other women do in this room too, but tough shit! I could drink you like water" pic.twitter.com/IjQWe8IsRe
Mescal, who stars as Shakespeare opposite Buckley’s Agnes, appeared emotional at the tribute. The actress also thanked writer-director Chloé Zhao, adding, “You have reminded me of the power of telling a story and the journey that you can go on to touch the deepest parts of what it is to be alive.”
Hamnet, based on Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel, has been praised for its emotional intensity and has been a major contender during the awards season. The film earned six Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. At the Globes, Best Picture went to One Battle After Another, while Jacob Elordi took home Best Supporting Actor for Frankenstein.
Buckley’s performance, however, has quickly become a standout, with Oscar pundits already predicting her win when nominations are announced later this month.
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