Watch the emotional trailer for “lush and tender” British period drama with impressive cast

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The official trailer for the upcoming period drama Hamnet, featuring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, is now available.

As a gamer, I’d describe it like this: Diving into the world of William Shakespeare, I find myself embodying him in this cinematic journey that mirrors his life as portrayed in Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel. Here, I walk alongside William and his beloved wife Agnes, grappling with the heart-wrenching loss of our son Hamnet, a boy who was only 11 but filled our lives with immense joy.

Chloe Zhao, who is well-known for directing the acclaimed film “Nomadland” (2020), is in charge of the production, with Amblin Entertainment, led by Steven Spielberg, taking on the role of producer.

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As a fellow enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that starting from the 9th of January, we can catch the highly anticipated film, Hamnet, in UK cinemas. This film promises to be a captivating exploration into the origins of Shakespeare’s enduring masterpiece, Hamlet. As a fan, I can hardly wait to immerse myself in this powerful portrayal of love that is said to have inspired one of the Bard’s most iconic works!

Boasting a stacked cast, the film also stars Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn and David Wilmot.

As I eagerly await the launch of Hamnet, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has labeled it as a “rich and delicate drama”, which has me even more excited to dive into this cinematic experience!

In the movie “Hamnet,” inspired by Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, the central character isn’t William Shakespeare himself, portrayed powerfully by Paul Mescal, or even Hamnet, the boy the film is named after. Instead, the heart of the story belongs to Agnes, a thoughtful depiction of Shakespeare’s wife, beautifully played by Jessie Buckley, who imbues the movie with her radiant presence.

Numerous historical narratives often begin descriptions of Hamnet’s passing with facts about high child mortality rates during the 16th century, implying it didn’t matter much. However, the book ‘Hamnet’ challenges this notion, portraying Shakespeare not as an aloof, invulnerable genius but as a tangible human being whose personal life deeply influenced his literary abilities.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Zhao shared what attracted her to Hamnet. “I was astonished by how immersive and sensory the book is, and what’s more, it’s written in a way that mirrors how I would approach editing,” she explained.

Regarding Buckley’s character, she found the forest-dwelling woman character of Agnes fascinating, whom she likened to a witch.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, she shared, “The movie was the most effortless, innovative, and immediate cinematic encounter I’ve ever had. The portrayal of Agnes as a woman, her connection with nature, her family, life, and death – all of it felt incredibly profound.

Hamnet will be released in UK cinemas on 9th January, 2026.

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2025-08-27 13:20