Jessie Buckley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jessie Buckley
Buckley at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival
Born	(1989-12-28) 28 December 1989 (age 36) Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland
Education	Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (BA)
Occupation	Actress singer
Years active	2008–present
Spouse(s)	Freddie Sorensen ​ (m. 2023)​
Children	1
Relatives	Madge Clifford (great-grandmother)
Awards	Full list

Jessie Buckley is a talented Irish actress and singer. She is known for her powerful performances in many films and TV shows. Jessie has won several important awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award. She has also shined on stage, earning an Olivier Award.

Who is Jessie Buckley?

Jessie Buckley was born on 28 December 1989 in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. She has a younger brother and three younger sisters. Her great-grandmother was Madge Clifford.

Her Early Life and Education

Jessie went to an all-girls school in Thurles, County Tipperary. Her mother was a vocal coach there, and Jessie loved performing in school plays. She even played male lead roles in school musicals, like Tony in West Side Story.

Jessie was very musical, achieving high grades in piano, clarinet, and harp. She also played in the Tipperary Millennium Orchestra. Workshops helped her improve her singing and acting. People saw her talent and encouraged her to try for drama schools in London. Before her big break, two drama schools turned her down, one just a day before her first TV audition. Later, Jessie studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and graduated in 2013.

Starting Her Acting Journey

Jessie started her career on a TV talent show called I'd Do Anything in 2008. The show was looking for a new actress to play Nancy in the musical Oliver! in London. She made it to the final and came in second place. Jessie later shared that the experience on the show was challenging. She felt uncomfortable due to comments about her appearance and the pressure she faced as a young performer.

After the show, Jessie performed at various concerts and events, including a celebration for composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. She was offered a chance to be a backup for the role of Nancy but chose another play instead.

Early Stage and TV Roles

Her first professional stage role was in the musical A Little Night Music in London. She continued to perform in concerts and plays. After graduating from drama school, Jessie performed in many famous plays. She acted in The Tempest at Shakespeare's Globe and appeared with Jude Law in Henry V. She also played Perdita in The Winter's Tale, a play that was shown live in cinemas.

Becoming a Star on Screen

Jessie started getting bigger roles on television. She played Marya Bolkonskaya in the BBC series War & Peace in 2016. Critics praised her performance in the show. She then appeared in other drama series like Taboo with Tom Hardy, The Last Post, and The Woman in White.

Her first film role was in the thriller Beast in 2018. She then starred in the music drama Wild Rose (2018). Jessie sang songs from the film at the famous Glastonbury Festival, and the soundtrack became very popular. Her performance earned her a nomination for a BAFTA Award.

Jessie Buckley in January 2019

In 2019, Jessie was in the historical drama Chernobyl, a highly praised TV series. She also appeared in the film Judy, about the life of actress Judy Garland.

Acclaimed Performances

Jessie Buckley in January 2020

The year 2020 was busy for Jessie, with roles in films like Dolittle, The Courier, and Misbehaviour. She also starred in the unique thriller I'm Thinking of Ending Things on Netflix, which earned her critical praise. That same year, she played a lead role in the fourth season of the TV series Fargo.

In 2021, Jessie starred in The Lost Daughter, playing the younger version of a character alongside Olivia Colman. The film was highly praised, and Jessie's performance earned her a Gotham Independent Film Award, a BAFTA Award nomination, and her first Academy Award nomination.

Jessie also took on the challenging role of Sally Bowles in a London stage revival of the musical Cabaret. She worked hard to protect her voice for eight shows a week. The show received amazing reviews, and Jessie won an Olivier Award for her powerful performance.

Major Awards and Recognition

In 2022, Jessie starred in the folk horror film Men. She also joined Frances McDormand and Rooney Mara in the film Women Talking, which was released in late 2022. That same year, she lent her voice to the animated film Scrooge: A Christmas Carol.

Jessie Buckley at the 2025 Telluride Film Festival

Jessie reunited with Olivia Colman in the comedy film Wicked Little Letters, which premiered in 2023. She also starred in Fingernails that year.

In 2025, Jessie starred alongside Paul Mescal in the historical drama Hamnet. Her performance as Agnes Shakespeare received widespread acclaim. Critics said her acting was truly unforgettable. For this role, Jessie won the Golden Globe, the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress, the Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She made history by becoming the first Irish actress to win the Leading Actress award at all four ceremonies. Jessie also won the Academy Award for Best Actress, becoming the first Irish person to receive this prestigious award.

She appeared in a performance of An Oak Tree in London in May 2025.

Life Outside Acting

Jessie Buckley lives in Norfolk, England. She married Freddie Sorensen, a mental health worker, in mid-2023. In 2025, they welcomed their daughter. Jessie is also an ambassador for The Matt Talbot Community Trust.

Jessie Buckley's Work

Films

Television Shows

Video Games

Theatre Performances

Music Career

Jessie Buckley has also released music. In 2022, she released a collaborative album called For All Our Days That Tear the Heart with musician Bernard Butler. This album was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize. She also released a soundtrack album for her film Wild Rose in 2019.

Awards and Achievements

Jessie Buckley has received many awards for her acting. In 2026, she was awarded the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture—Drama for her role in Hamnet. She also won the award for Best Lead Actress at the 2026 Academy Awards, making history as the first Irish actress to win this award.

See Also

In Spanish: Jessie Buckley para niños

• List of Irish actors
• List of Academy Award winners and nominees from Ireland
• List of actors with Academy Award nominations
• List of Golden Globe winners