Best Actress Winner Gushes About Marriage, Motherhood at Oscars

Published: March 18, 2026

By Kayla DeKraker

Jessie Buckley dedicated her Best Actress Academy Award win to motherhood and made history as the first Irish actress to take home the Oscar.

“First Irish woman to win and on Mother’s Day — it feels like some kind of crazy alchemy that all of these things are colliding on a day like today,” she said backstage after the awards ceremony, noting that the Oscars took place on Ireland’s Mother’s Day. “My daughter got her first tooth this week, I woke up with her lying on my chest, snuggling me.”

Buckley’s award-winning role was that of Agnes Shakespeare, the wife of William Shakespeare, in HAMNET. The movie focuses on grief, motherhood and a family tragedy: the death of Shakespeare’s young son, Hamnet. Her performance was celebrated for her ability to portray both strength and vulnerability in an emotional way.

“I feel like what a gift to get to explore motherhood through this incredible mother this is and was, and then to become one myself, and then to receive this recognition of the incredible role mothers play in our world on this day is something I will never, ever forget,” Buckley continued.

During her speech, she celebrated her husband, daughter and motherhood.

“I love you, man. I love you,” Buckley told her husband, Fred. “You’re the most incredible dad. You’re my best friend, and I want to have 20,000 more babies with you.”

“And Isla, my little girl who is eight months, who has absolutely no idea what’s going on and is probably dreaming of milk, but this is kind of a big deal, and I love you and I love being your mom, and I can’t want to discover life beside you,” the actress gushed about her daughter.

“I would like to dedicate this to the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart,” she concluded.

Buckley was nominated alongside Rose Byrne for IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU and Renate Reinsve for SENTIMENTAL VALUE. She was also up against two-time Oscar winner Emma Stone for BUGONIA and two-time nominee Kate Hudson for SONG SUNG BLUE.

A Jessie Buckley fan page celebrated her win, and followers commented their congratulations.

“One of the most deserving Oscar wins of this decade. Love you Jessie,” one person said. Another fan added, “Congratulations Jessie. You deserve this award so much. All your hard work and grace has paid off. Proud of you.”

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Prior to the Academy Awards, Buckley had already won a Golden Globe, BAFTA and Critics’ Choice Award for her role in HAMNET. The movie received a 7.9 star rating on IMDB. Other stars in the movie include Paul Mescal, Joe Alwyn, Justine Mitchell, Emily Watson and David Wilmot.

However, Movieguide® advises extreme caution.

“HAMNET is a tale of love, loss, grief, and reconciliation,” the review reads. “Ultimately, the movie says that honoring the memory of loved ones who have passed away is a good way to heal our grief. The movie also promotes the idea of sacrifice.”

Movieguide® adds, “HAMNET includes a brief scene where Will and Agnes consummate their informal engagement. The pregnancy moves Agnes’ brother to consent to their marriage. The movie also has two birthing scenes, scenes illness resulting in death and other less vivid violence. Finally, Shakespeare’s wife has an occult-like ‘sixth sense.’ So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution.”

While we love hearing actresses like Buckley celebrate motherhood, fans should approach HAMNET with care.

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