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Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley reunite on screen to portray an emotional romance in 'Hamnet,' the upcoming film from Academy Award-winning writer-director Chloé Zhao. Focus Features unveiled the first trailer recently, offering audiences a glimpse of Mescal as William Shakespeare and Buckley as his wife, Agnes.
Adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed 2020 novel, the movie presents a reimagined portrait of the English playwright’s life. The story explores the deep love between Shakespeare and Agnes, a relationship that ultimately shapes the creation of 'Hamlet', one of his most iconic works.
The trailer gives a peek into Mescal's portrayal of Shakespeare in a very quiet yet powerful intensity as he drowns himself in preparing for the greatest plays. On the other side, Buckley showcases a powerful energy and unshakable spirit as Agnes.
What is 'Hamnet' About?
Set against the backdrop of 1580s England during the Black Plague, 'Hamnet' blends historical fact with fictional interpretation. While history records Shakespeare’s wife as Anne Hathaway, O’Farrell’s retelling gives her the name Agnes, presenting her as a fiercely independent partner. The couple’s three children, including their son Hamnet, who died young, remain central to the narrative’s emotional core.
The upcoming film 'Hamnet' comes backed by cinematic powerhouses Sam Mendes and Steven Spielberg, serving as Zhao’s highly anticipated return to filmmaking after her work on Marvel’s 'Eternals' in 2021. Zhao co-wrote the screenplay with O'Farrell, who has expressed her excitement at seeing her novel brought to life on screen. She described the film as a beautiful project from start to finish, highlighting the collaboration with Zhao as especially rewarding.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
Mescal and Buckley previously worked together in 'The Lost Daughter' (2021), and both have an impressive slate of projects ahead. Mescal will star in 'The History of Sound', releasing on 12th September, before taking on the role of Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ upcoming 'Beatles' biopics. Jessie Buckley will be seen in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s 'The Bride'.
'Hamnet' will debut in select theatres on 27th November, followed by a nationwide release on 12th December, promising to deliver a powerful blend of history, romance, and timeless storytelling.
