Jessie Buckley’s mum said yesterday it is “so lovely” to see her “little girl” being nominated for an Oscar while her former school principal revealed she was always destined for stardom.
The Co Kerry born actress led a list of Irish nominations at yesterday’s Academy Awards nomination ceremony, bagging a spot on the shortlist for best supporting actress for her role in The Lost Daughter.
She will go up against Dame Judi Dench for her role in Belfast, directed, written and produced by Kenneth Branagh – who broke an Oscar record with seven nominations.
And Jessie’s proud mum Marina said she was overjoyed to hear that her eldest daughter is going to be walking the red carpet alongside a familiar face.
She told the Irish Mirror: “It is so lovely because Jessie has worked with Kenneth Branagh in the past. She performed in his production of The Winter’s Tale in the West End. So they’ll all be there supporting each other.”
Jessie, 32, said that she is “in complete shock” at her Oscar nod for her role as Leda in The Lost Daughter, and praised her co-star Olivia Colman, who was also nominated, and the Netflix film’s director Maggie Gyllenhaal.
The Wild Rose star said: “The Lost Daughter is so special to me. To be recognised for anything connected to it is just a wild dream come true.
“And to gorgeous Olivia Colman and our leader and legend Maggie Gyllenhaal, I’m so lucky to share this ride with you incredible women. Thank you.”
Mum Marina, who heard the news while working as a music teacher at Jessie’s old school, Ursuline Convent in Thurles, Co Tipperary, was equally shocked.
She said: “You know, you are going along in your normal day of work and something like this happens.”
“It is just wonderful to have a day of really good news and I think for Irish people, with what everybody has been through the past couple of years, this is something to really
celebrate.
“It’s massive, and I suppose we feel really proud on behalf of Ireland that this young girl is flying the flag at the Oscars.
“We all have an understanding of what it has taken for Jessie to get this far and that is a huge help to her.”
“And at the end of the day, I keep saying to her, ‘you are my little girl on the great days, and the not so great days’.”
Meanwhile, Jessie’s old school principal Mary Butler said the Hollywood news came as no surprise to her, having witnessed the talented star in action from a very young age.
She told the Irish Mirror: “We knew it. I directed her in the shows here. The first time I saw her audition, the hair stood on the back of my head.”
As the news came in, Jessie’s mum said she and dad Tim weren’t sure whether they will get to fly to the States to watch their daughter’s big moment in March.
But they told of their excitement to be reunited with her either way next month after she wraps up her leading role in the West End’s Cabaret.
The mum-of-five said: “Of course myself and her dad would love to be there to support her and celebrate with her.
“I saw her at the West End a couple of weeks ago, and I was fortunate enough to be at the premiere of The Lost Daughter.
“We see her much as you can, the same as so many families, Covid has made it really difficult. I’m hoping to see her in the next month.”
Irish talent dominated the Oscar nominations as Branagh’s semi-autobiographical film Belfast swept the boards across the biggest and most competitive categories, including Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and the biggest gong of the night, Best Picture.
The black and white film, inspired by his childhood when the Troubles were kicking off in the North, will go up against CODA, Don’t Look Up, Drive My Car, Dune, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog and West Side Story when the awards come around in March.
Branagh’s impressive list of nominations set a new Oscars record, as he has now received seven nominations in seven different categories over the course of his career.
The previous record of six nominations in six different categories was held by George Clooney and Walt Disney.
Commenting on the news yesterday he said: “It’s a long way from the streets of Belfast to the Academy Awards.
“Today, I think of my mother and father, and my grandparents – how proud they were to be Irish, how much this city meant to them.
“They would have been overwhelmed by this incredible honour – as am I.
“Given a story as personal as this one, it’s a hell of a day for my family, and the family of our film.”
And Irish actor Ciaran Hinds, who played Branagh’s grandfather Pop, continued the winning streak – receiving a nod for his role as a supporting actor.
The RTE drama Kin star, whose jam packed catalogue also includes Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Red Sparrow and Road To Perdition, will go up against The Power Of The Dog’s Kodi Smit-McPhee and his co-star Jesse Plemons, Troy Kotsur for Coda, and JK Simmons for Being The Ricardos.
Leading the congratulations yesterday, Love/Hate star Laurence Kinlan said: “I couldn’t be happier for Ciaran Hinds, an absolute powerhouse of an actor and person. One of the kindest souls you could ever meet.
“Everything he does is effortless, on screen and stage alike. And for Jessie Buckley too. G’wan the Irish!!”
There was more joy for Belfast in the Best Original Song category as Van Morrison’s Down to Joy from the film was announced as a nominee vying for the Academy Award.
Killarney native Buckley and Belfast-born Hinds and Morrison are all first-time nominees.
But there was disappointment elsewhere, as Jamie Dornan and Caitriona Balfe, who played leading roles in Belfast, missed out.
Jamie Dornan congratulated his co-stars, saying: “Jeepers! Couldn’t be more proud of this group. Thank you Kenneth Branagh for showing the world the human side of the incomparable people of Belfast.”
While Outlander star Balfe celebrated her fellow cast and crew’s nominations, fans complained that she and Dornan were “robbed” of being shortlisted themselves.
The 42-year-old, who plays the leading role of Ma in the movie tweeted: “Whoooo hooooo!!!!!! So delighted for all our noms and for Ken, Judi and Ciaran.... Congratulations to all our #Belfastmovie family.”
But fans couldn’t hide their disappointment, with one saying: “Caitriona Balfe was the linchpin of Belfast. I’m happy for Judi but Caitriona was absolutely robbed.”
Fans also hit out at the Oscar nomination presenters for “butchering” a number of nominees’ names, including our very own Ciaran Hinds.
One wrote: “It wouldn’t bring at least one name... poor Coreen Hends (Ciaran Hinds) and Denny Villnue (Denis Villeneuve). Another added: “Careen Hinds. Oh dear.”
Virgin Media News correspondent Richard Chambers also chipped in: “On Ciaran Hinds... unbelievable that the Oscars, for a limited number of names, can’t actually go and get their hosts to learn how to say all the nominees’ names properly.”
The Power of the Dog led the nominees for the 94th annual Academy Awards, landing a total of 12 noms, including best picture, best director for Jane Campion, and acting nominations for star Benedict Cumberbatch and supporting players Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee.
Dune followed with a total of 10 noms, including best picture, while West Side Story and Belfast both earned seven nominations.
The 94th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27, in Hollywood.
