Jessie Buckley on Songs, Stage, and Silver Screen Triumphs

Not many performers can claim their first taste of the limelight came courtesy of a Saturday night talent contest, but Jessie Buckley’s story is anything but typical. Nearly two decades ago, the Irish actor and singer found herself in the finals of the BBC’s I’d Do Anything, a televised search for West End stars. She didn’t clinch the top spot, yet the exposure proved more than enough to set her on a path towards the stage, sharing the boards with the likes of Hannah Waddingham in major productions.

After a spell at RADA and a turn in Shakespeare opposite Jude Law, Buckley’s career began to gather pace. She landed a part in a television adaptation of War and Peace, before making her film debut in the psychological thriller Beast, a low-budget project that nonetheless drew critical attention to her performance. The next chapter saw her blending her twin passions for acting and music in Wild Rose, a gritty country drama featuring Julie Walters. The role allowed Buckley to showcase her vocal talents, leading to appearances at Glastonbury and, in a rather different setting, performing for inmates in a high-security prison.

Musical Roots and Resonance

One song in particular, Nina Simone’s rendition of Sandy Denny’s ‘Who Knows Where the Time Goes’, holds a special place in Buckley’s heart.

“I did some gigs in a working male prison for lifers, and I sang this song… there’s beautiful things in that song that kind of make you think about the things that you’ve left behind and how long you’ve got left.”

The lyrics, she says, linger with her, stirring memories and prompting reflection on the passage of time and the weight of what’s been lost.

Her admiration for Simone runs deep.

“When I hear her sing anything, I just think she contains multitudes …like the epicness of being a queen and the fragility of being a human, and every song that she sings, it always shatters me and makes me want to climb a mountain.”

It’s a sentiment that seems to echo in Buckley’s own approach to performance, where vulnerability and strength are never far apart.

From Stage to Screen

In the years since Wild Rose, Buckley’s star has only risen. She’s taken on musical roles in films such as the Oscar-winning Judy, and even recorded her own material, notably collaborating with Bernard Butler, formerly of Suede, on the 2022 album For All Our Days That Tear the Heart. Each project has allowed her to explore new facets of her artistry, never content to be boxed in by expectations.

Her next appearance will be in The Bride!, a reimagining of the Bride of Frankenstein story, helmed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal previously directed Buckley in The Lost Daughter, where she starred alongside Olivia Colman. The new film, a blend of horror and romance, is set for release in early March, and anticipation is already building.

Recognition and New Horizons

Following her Golden Globe win for Hamnet, Buckley is now widely tipped as a contender for the Academy Awards. In Hamnet, she stars with Paul Mescal, bringing to life the story of William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes Hathaway, as they navigate the grief of losing their young son. The film, directed by Chloe Zhao, has already picked up the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama, adding to Zhao’s growing list of accolades.

For Buckley, the journey from talent show hopeful to acclaimed actor and musician has been anything but straightforward. Yet, it’s clear that the songs she carries with her, and the roles she chooses, continue to shape a career marked by both daring and depth.