Maggie O'Farrell on Adapting 'Hamnet' for the Screen

Maggie O'Farrell's connection to 'Hamlet' began when she was a teenager. Drawn to the dark, emotional world of the play, she felt an immediate bond with its troubled hero. That fascination deepened when she later learned that William Shakespeare had a son named Hamnet, whose name closely mirrors the famous character. For O'Farrell, that similarity never felt accidental.

Who was Hamnet Shakespeare?

Hamnet Shakespeare was one of three children Shakespeare shared with his wife, Anne Hathaway. He died at just 11 years old, and little is known about how or why. What struck O'Farrell most was how rarely he was mentioned in conversations about one of the most famous works in literary history, despite the clear link between the boy's name and the play.

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That curiosity eventually became the foundation for 'Hamnet,' O'Farrell's 2020 novel that shifts the focus away from Shakespeare himself and toward his family, especially his son. The book went on to receive major acclaim and has now been adapted into a film set for release in 2025.

The movie 'Hamnet' stars Paul Mescal as Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife, known as Agnes in the film. O'Farrell co-wrote the screenplay alongside director Chloé Zhao.

Maggie O'Farrell Plans to Bring 'Hamnet'

From the start, O'Farrell's goal was to bring 'Hamnet' into the spotlight. She wanted people to know that he lived, that his life was brief, and that he was deeply loved.

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Writing about Shakespeare felt risky at first, given how much has already been said about him. The overwhelming response to the novel came as a surprise, and the idea of adapting it for the screen was even more unexpected. What convinced her was Zhao's fresh perspective. Zhao did not approach the story as a traditional Shakespeare scholar, which O'Farrell saw as a strength. It allowed the film to stand apart from other portrayals of Shakespeare's life.

Although O'Farrell initially planned to step away from the screenplay process, Zhao's enthusiasm and collaborative spirit won her over. Their skills complemented each other well. Zhao focused on the broader structure of the story, while O'Farrell brought her deep knowledge of the period and its language, helping shape dialogue that felt true to 16th-century England.

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'Hamnet' Was a New Experience For Maggie O'Farrell

Working on a film was a new experience for O'Farrell, but one she found energising. Years of research into life in 1500s London and the experiences of women during that time were suddenly visible on set. She even worked closely with the costume designer to ensure authenticity, including using historically accurate materials for Shakespeare's clothing.

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While O'Farrell values the quiet, solitary nature of novel writing, she enjoyed the collaborative energy of filmmaking. Watching Mescal and Buckley bring the characters to life was especially rewarding, even though she initially worried their performances might replace the images she had formed while writing the book. Instead, she found that the novel and the film now coexist separately in her mind, each with its own power.

As 'Hamnet' continues to resonate with audiences, O'Farrell remains focused on her work as a novelist, with another book set for release in 2026. Still, she is open to returning to screenwriting if the right creative partnership comes along.

'Hamnet' is now playing in theatres.

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