Fans of Maggie O’Farrell’s *Hamnet*, the lyrical and heartbreaking tale of Shakespeare’s son, have been treated to a recent stage adaptation in London. Now, the book is set to grace the big screen with a film adaptation starring Oscar nominees Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley.
On May 1st, 2023, Deadline reported that the two Irish actors were in talks to lead the film, directed by *Nomadland*’s Chloé Zhao. Zhao, who won an Oscar for Best Director for *Nomadland*, is writing the script alongside O’Farrell, ensuring the film stays true to the book’s essence. The novel delves into Shakespeare’s early relationship with his wife, Agnes, and the tragic story of their son Hamnet’s death.
Mescal, known for his role in *Normal People*, will play the young Shakespeare, while Buckley, known for her work in *The Lost Daughter*, will portray the captivating Agnes. Mescal expressed his excitement about the project in an interview with British Vogue, stating, “That book – it’s just devastating. I can’t wait. If I told a younger version of myself that this would be [shooting] this year, I wouldn’t believe it. I’ve obviously been in a film with Jessie before [Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter ] but we’ve never shared the screen or a working process together. I think she’s one of our present-day greats. And Chloé is somebody I can’t wait to get in the weeds with, and get into the heads of those characters.”
The first images from the set emerged on August 15th, showing Mescal and Buckley in period attire, sharing a tender goodbye. Given Zhao’s previous success and the exceptional talent of the cast, anticipation is high for this film. With its captivating story and stellar team, *Hamnet* promises to be a cinematic experience that will leave a lasting impression on audiences.
