Jessie Buckley Praises Paul Mescal as She Wins Critics Choice Award for Hamnet: “I Could Drink You Like Water” Speech Goes Viral!
Jessie Buckley won Best Actress at the 31st Critics Choice Awards for her powerful role in Hamnet. Her emotional acceptance speech quickly went viral, especially her heartfelt praise for costar Paul Mescal.
The Irish actress, 36, touched hearts when she said she loved working with Mescal and described him with the now-famous line:
“I could drink you like water.”
Clips of the moment spread fast across social media.
Jessica Buckley Speech
Jessie Buckley, star of Hamnet, won Best Female Actor (Drama) at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards 🎬. In her emotional speech, Jessica Buckley thanked almost everyone who worked on Chloé Zhao’s film 🙏.
Who is Jessie Buckley? Personal Facts
Jessie Buckley is an Irish actress and singer known for her powerful performances in film, television, and theatre. She first gained attention in 2008 as a runner-up on the BBC talent show I’d Do Anything and later trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
After early TV roles in War & Peace and Taboo, she made her film debut in Beast (2017) and broke through with Wild Rose (2018), earning a BAFTA Best Actress nomination.
Her career continued to grow with major roles in:
Chernobyl, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, Fargo, The Lost Daughter, Men, and Women Talking, with The Lost Daughter bringing her BAFTA and Oscar nominations.
On stage, her performance as Sally Bowles in Cabaret won her a Laurence Olivier Award. Alongside acting, she is also a musician and released a Mercury Prize–shortlisted album in 2022.
| Facts | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jessie Buckley |
| Date of Birth | December 1989 |
| Age | 36 (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Actress, Singer |
| Years Active | 2008–present |
| Education | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (BA) |
| Schooling | Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, County Tipperary |
| Mother | Marina Cassidy (vocal coach) |
| Father | Tim Buckley |
| Siblings | 1 younger brother, 3 younger sisters |
| Great-Grandmother | Madge Clifford (Irish republican) |
| Residence | Norfolk, England (as of 2022) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Freddie (mental health worker) |
| Marriage Year | 2023 |
| Children | 1 |
| Musical Training | Piano, Clarinet, Harp (Grade 8 – Royal Irish Academy of Music) |
| Orchestra | Tipperary Millennium Orchestra |
| Notable Awards | Laurence Olivier Award, BAFTA Award |
| Major Nominations | Academy Award, Golden Globe Award |
| Charity Work | Ambassador for The Matt Talbot Community Trust |
Jessie Buckley’s Big Win at Critics Choice Awards 2026
Jessie Buckley won Best Actress in a Motion Picture at the Critics Choice Awards held in Los Angeles. She earned the award for playing Agnes Hathaway in Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao.
Critics praised her role as a grieving mother who loses her young son. Many called her performance emotional, quiet, and deeply moving. This win follows earlier Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations and makes her a strong Oscar 2026 contender.
The Viral Speech: “I Could Drink You Like Water”
While accepting the award, Buckley thanked director Chloé Zhao and then turned to Paul Mescal, who plays William Shakespeare in the film.
She joked about his popularity and said:
“Paul, I bloody love you. I could drink you like water working with you. You’re a giant of the heart. Thank you for making me more human.”
The audience laughed and applauded. Cameras showed Mescal smiling and clearly moved by her words.
The quote quickly went viral on X (Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram, with fans sharing clips and edits.
Paul Mescal’s Reaction
Paul Mescal later praised Buckley backstage. He called her “extraordinary” and said she was the heart of Hamnet. Though romance rumors popped up online, both actors have said they are just close friends and creative partners.
Their strong on-screen chemistry has been one of the biggest talking points of the film.
About the Film Hamnet
Hamnet is based on Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel. The story follows the loss of Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet, and how that grief later inspired the play Hamlet.
Buckley plays Agnes, a mother dealing with loss. Mescal plays Shakespeare, torn between family and his work. The film was released in November 2025 and received wide critical praise.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
After the speech:
- #ICouldDrinkYouLikeWater trended worldwide
- TikTok edits mixed the speech with emotional scenes from the film
- Fans praised Buckley’s honesty and warmth
Many called the moment one of the most memorable speeches of the awards season.
Jessie Buckley Dating History 2026
In her early 20s, she focused on career—no reported boyfriends. She trained at RADA, starred in theater, and kept personal life quiet. Buckley has said she values privacy, avoiding Hollywood’s dating spotlight.
James Norton (2015–2017) – Co-Stars to Breakup
Buckley’s only high-profile romance was with British actor James Norton (Happy Valley, Grantchester). They met filming BBC’s War & Peace (2015–2016), playing siblings but sparking real chemistry. Dated publicly 2015–2017: Red carpets, vacations, supportive interviews. Norton called her “incredible”; Buckley gushed about his talent. Split in 2017—Buckley called it “acrimonious” in interviews, citing demanding careers. They remained friends; no bad blood long-term. Norton later dated Imogen Poots.
Post-Breakup Privacy: Rumored Links and Co-Star Chemistry
After Norton, Buckley stayed single publicly for years:
- Josh O’Connor (2021): Intense friendship filming National Theatre’s Romeo & Juliet. Called each other “kindred spirits”; planned “commune” jokingly. Pure platonic—both denied romance.
- Paul Mescal (2025–2026): Hamnet co-stars sparked rumors with viral Critics Choice speech (“I could drink you like water”).
- Mescal praised her endlessly. Just deep friendship—Buckley married, Mescal dating others.
No other confirmed links—Buckley prioritizes work/family.
Current Husband: Freddie – The Ultra-Private Marriage
Buckley’s happiest chapter: Married to Freddie, a mental health worker from Islington, London. Met on blind date (~2018–2020, set by mutual friend during Wild Rose). First mentioned as “fella” in 2021 Guardian interview.
Secretly wed summer 2023 in intimate Norfolk ceremony (Guinness keg, cheese toasties). Freddie studies mental health at university. They split time between Dalston flat and Norfolk home.
In 2025, Buckley announced pregnancy (CinemaCon bump cradle); welcomed baby girl late 2025. Ultra-private—no photos, surname, public appearances. Buckley: “He’s gorgeous… my heart home.”
Must Read: Abbey Lee Kershaw Dating History and Some Facts
What’s Next for Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal
Jessie Buckley continues to rise as one of the strongest actresses of her generation. With Hamnet success, she is now seen as a top name for major awards in 2026.
Paul Mescal is also having a big year, with major films lined up after Gladiator II. Their work in Hamnet has confirmed both as standout talents.
