Over the past 40 years, each and every July 1, we have project our tentative list of the films that we think are frontrunners for the Best Picture Oscar.
Oscar winner Chloé Zhao (Nomadland) has directed Hamnet, an historical drama she co-wrote with Maggie O’Farrell, based on O’Farrell’s acclaimed 2020 novel.
The film is a fictional story of the life of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes after the death of their son Hamnet, age 11.
My Pioneering Oscar Book (first published in 1986)
There was a stage production of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, and the film rights acquired prior to publication by London-based Liza Marshall and Hera Pictures who then partnered with Neal Street Productions.
In April of 2023, Oscar winner Chloé Zhao was hired to direct the film, starring Oscar nominees Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, and to write the script alongside O’Farrell.
Principal photography began in Wales on July 29, 2024, and wrapped on September 30.
Hot star Joe Alwyn and Oscar nominee Emily Watson were added to the cast in August.
Spielberg joined the film as producer, Łukasz Żal as cinematographer, and Max Richter as composer.
Focus Features acquired distribution rights to the film in August 2024, with its parent Universal handling international distribution.
Scheduled for limited theatrical release on November 27, 2025, Hamnet will expand nationwide on December 12.
Cast
Jessie Buckley as Agnes Shakespeare
Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare
Joe Alwyn as Bartholomew
Emily Watson as Mary
Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet Shakespeare
Jack Shalloo as Marcellus
David Wilmot as John
