The race for Best Actress at the 98th Academy Awards appears to have a definitive leader. Jessie Buckley has emerged as the clear frontrunner for her performance as Agnes Hathaway in the film "Hamnet." Since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominations on January 22, 2026, Buckley’s momentum has only increased, fueled by a season of consistent wins and critical acclaim.

Buckley’s path to the Oscars has been paved with gold. She has already secured every major precursor award this season, including the Golden Globe, Critics' Choice, and BAFTA. Most recently, she took home the Actor Award from the Screen Actors Guild. During her acceptance speech at the SAG Awards, Buckley singled out her co-star Emily Watson for her support, while her leading man, Paul Mescal, notably missed out on a nomination for the same film.

Jessie Buckley
Jessie Buckley — Photo: FiesolanaNYC / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The critical acclaim for Buckley’s portrayal of the grieving mother in Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of the Maggie O'Farrell novel has been near-unanimous. Casting director Nina Gold told the Motion Picture Association that she "knew Jessie Buckley was the one" for the role from the start. Fans and critics will see if Buckley completes her historic sweep when the Oscars take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.