Jessie Buckley Shines on the 2026 BAFTA Red Carpet in Blue Chanel Gown

Jessie Buckley has done it again. On Sunday night, February 22, the Hamnet star won the prestigious Best Leading Actress award at the British Academy Film Awards. Buckley arrived at London’s Royal Festival Hall in a stunning blue gown that is already being called her lucky color.

The Chanel dress was custom-made by Matthieu Blazy and adapted from a look from last fall’s Métiers d’art collection. The gown featured a draped cowl back and vibrant blue velvet fabric. Unlike the original runway design, Buckley’s version was sleeveless and had a slightly adjusted waistline. Silver floral embellishments on each shoulder added a delicate, elegant touch to the striking look.

In her acceptance speech, Buckley took a moment to honor the women who shaped her career. “This really belongs to the women past, present, and future who taught me to approach my craft with a unique perspective,” she said. She also thanked Chloé Zhao, the director of Hamnet, for her uncompromising artistry, noting that Zhao is making history as a storyteller.

This win continues a string of historic moments for Buckley. She previously wore another show-stopping blue gown when she won her first Golden Globe earlier this year. That time, she chose a silk baby-blue asymmetrical gown by Jonathan Anderson for Dior, paired with sparkling diamond earrings and styled by Danielle Goldberg.

Jessie Buckley at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards. pic.twitter.com/HM4eELGCfC

— GoldenSeries (@series_golden) February 22, 2026

Buckley’s performance as Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet has made her one of the biggest names in awards season. The film, co-starring Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare, explores the grief and domestic life of the couple after losing their young son. Her portrayal has earned critical acclaim and positioned her as a frontrunner for the upcoming Academy Awards.

Beyond historical drama, Buckley is showing her versatility in darker roles. She recently finished filming The Bride!, a bold reimagining of the Bride of Frankenstein directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. The film, set to release on March 6, includes a star-studded cast with Christian Bale, Penelope Cruz, and Peter Sarsgaard. She has also worked on the dark comedy Wicked Little Letters and the experimental horror film Men, demonstrating a range few actors achieve in a single year.

Buckley also made history as the first Irish woman to win the Lead Actress BAFTA, a milestone that highlights her rapid rise in the industry. With her award season success and upcoming projects spanning drama, sci-fi, and horror, she is proving herself to be one of the most versatile and exciting performers of her generation.

Between her historic wins, daring roles, and memorable red carpet moments, Jessie Buckley is building a career that is impossible to ignore. “I feel so lucky to be able to do the work I love,” she said after the BAFTAs, reflecting on a year that seems to be only the beginning of her meteoric rise.

Have something to add? Share your thoughts in the comments