Hamnet star Bodhi Rae Breathnach says she has her “fingers crossed” for the film as Oscar nominations are announced today.
The acclaimed literary adaptation, led by Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, charts the full emotional spectrum of love and loss.
The story follows a young William Shakespeare as he falls for Agnes (the other name by which the playwright's wife, historically referred to as Anne Hathaway, was known), before tracing the devastating grief that engulfs their family after tragedy strikes.
The Irish-led cast are now among those tipped for further awards success.
Buckley is widely expected to land a Best Actress nomination for her portrayal of Agnes and is considered a frontrunner after securing a run of major prizes, including the Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice award.
Mescal is also expected to be recognised in the Supporting Actor category for his role as the Bard, while director Chloé Zhao is tipped for a Best Director nod. Zhao previously made history in 2021 as the second woman — and the first woman of colour, to win the directing Oscar for Nomadland.
Hamnet, which is adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling 2020 novel, is likewise predicted to feature in the Best Picture race.
Although it faces strong competition from One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a washed-up revolutionary trying to save his teenage daughter.
Breathnach, who plays the couple’s eldest daughter Susanna, said she could only hope the film’s awards momentum continues, praising Buckley and Mescal for the “heart and soul” they brought to the project as she waits to see if the Oscars come calling.
“Y’know Jessie is so dear to me,” she tells The Standard. “I adore her so much. I adore Paul so much.”
“And I can't put into words how glad I am that the film is doing well and getting the love it deserves, because both of them put such heart and soul into creating such a beautiful movie, and I'm just so happy it's succeeding.
“So, fingers crossed for the Oscars.”
Asked whether she might join them at the Dolby Theatre if the film secures a nomination, the 14-year-old laughs: “We’re trying to.”
Breathnach’s next role could not be more different.
She currently appears opposite Jason Statham in high-octane thriller Shelter, in which the 58-year-old actor plays a reclusive former assassin whose quiet life is upended after rescuing a young girl.
Working on her first action film, Breathnach says the experience was “inspiring”.
“I think it was just seeing him work on set and being so passionate,” she explains. “And getting to work with the best of the best on my first ever action film — that itself is so inspiring to me and I was so grateful I got to work with him.”
Shelter hits cinemas on Friday, January 30
