Jessie Buckley Embraces Motherhood While Shining in Hollywood

Irish actress Jessie Buckley has opened up about the transformative experience of motherhood as she balances her growing family with an impressive acting career. The 36-year-old star welcomed her first daughter last year and recently garnered critical acclaim, winning the leading actress BAFTA award for her role as Agnes Hathaway—historically known as Anne—in Chloe Zhao‘s film adaptation of Hamnet. Buckley is also nominated for an Academy Award for the same performance.

In her upcoming film, The Bride!, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Buckley takes on the iconic role of the Bride of Frankenstein. The film, which is inspired by the classic 1935 horror movie, features an ensemble cast that includes Christian Bale, Peter Sarsgaard, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Penelope Cruz. The Bride! is set to hit cinemas in Ireland and the UK on March 6, 2024.

During a recent appearance on RTÉ‘s Late, Late Show, Buckley discussed her dual roles as a mother and actress. When asked how motherhood has been treating her, she expressed her profound appreciation. “Oh, I love it,” she stated. “I feel so grateful to have her in my life. And it’s the best way to wake up in the morning. It’s the best way to go to bed at night. It puts everything into perspective.”

Buckley emphasized the grounding effect that motherhood has had on her. “You know it kind of grounds you,” she explained. “I’m very lucky to do what I love as a woman, and I’m very lucky to love as a mother, and that’s just an absolute gift to get to recognise myself in both of those things beside each other in this moment.”

The actress acknowledged the challenges that come with being a new mother. “Being a new mom is hard sometimes,” she admitted. “It’s no joke to be born. And, as a new mom, you’re kind of being born in a new identity, too.” Buckley shared her experience of sometimes feeling overwhelmed, stating, “Sometimes it’s really tiring. And some mornings I wake up and go ‘I do not know who I am or where I am’.”

Despite the pressures, she feels fortunate to have a strong support system around her. “Luckily, I have incredible people around me that can hold that place as well,” she noted. Buckley also revealed that her family, including her parents, three sisters, and one brother, will be traveling to Los Angeles for the upcoming Academy Awards.

As she steps further into her career while navigating motherhood, Buckley continues to inspire with her passion for both her art and her family. With The Bride! on the horizon, audiences eagerly await her next performance, while she embraces the joys and complexities of her new life stage.