If, like us, you were engrossed in Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, an imagined tale of Shakespeare’s son during the early days of lockdown, you will likely have been eagerly awaiting Chloé Zhao’s adaptation. Since the film was first announced in April 2023, shortly after the RSC’s production opened in Stratford-upon-Avon, the excitement has been steadily building.
First came the news that Paul Mescal would be taking on the leading role of William Shakespeare, alongside Jessie Buckley as his wife Agnes Shakespeare. Then, just last month, we were treated to the emotionally charged trailer. And now industry insiders have seen the film in full at its world premiere during the Toronto International Film Festival. Unsurprisingly, there has been high praise for Chloé Zhao’s fifth feature film, with even the toughest of critics reduced to tears by the end of the screening.
When will Hamnet be released in cinemas?
Sadly, we will have to wait a little longer before seeing the film. If you are based in the US or Canada, there will be limited theatrical release at Thanksgiving on November 27 by Focus Features, before it expands nationwide on December 12 in time for Christmas cinema trips. However, Hamnet will not arrive in UK cinemas until January 9, 2026 – but at least it will give us something to look forward to during those dreary days at the start of the year.
Who is starring in the film adaptation of Hamnet?
It was the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney’s hugely popular book Normal People that first catapulted Paul Mescal into the limelight, and now he is taking on the literary role par excellence: William Shakespeare. He portrays the young William, a Latin tutor who longs to be a writer, as he meets and falls in love with his wife, Agnes, played by fellow Irish actor Jessie Buckley. Rising child star Jacobi Jupe takes on the titular role of their son, Hamnet, while Olivia Lynes plays his twin sister Judith and Bodhi Rae Breathnach (soon to star in Sense and Sensibility) portrays their older sister Susanna. Emily Watson and Joe Alwyn also appear in supporting roles.
What is the plot of Hamnet?
We don’t want to spoil the film (or the book) too much but, in short, Hamnet is the imagined story of Shakespeare’s family life as a young man, before he became known as a playwright. It takes the real-life event of the death of his and his wife Agnes’ son, Hamnet, at the age of 11, exploring their experience of love and loss, which went on to influence much of Shakespeare’s work. Maggie O’Farrell worked closely with Chloé Zhao on the screenplay – and Sam Mendes and Steven Spielberg are involved on the production side – so we can expect it to pack a real emotional punch.
Where was Hamnet filmed?
Hamnet was filmed across Herefordshire in July, August and September last year. The village of Weobley was transformed into a 16th-century Stratford-upon-Avon and the National Trust farmhouse Cwmmau Farmhouse was used as Hewlands Farm, the childhood home of Agnes Shakespeare. Filming also took place on location in Wales.
How many nominations has Hamnet received?
Hamnet has now graduated from early festival anticipation to full awards-season spotlight, gathering six Golden Globe nominations. The film is recognised in some of the most coveted categories: Best Motion Picture for the Drama category and Best Director for Chloé Zhao among them, alongside Best Screenplay for Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell. Jessie Buckley’s portrayal is acknowledged with a Best Actress nomination, while Paul Mescal is shortlisted for Best Supporting Actor. Max Richter’s score completes the line-up with a nod for Best Original Score. Taken together, these nominations suggest that Hamnet has settled comfortably among this year’s leading contenders, admired for its craft as much as its emotional resonance.
