Paul Mescal Stars as Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao’s Film 'Hamnet'

The film Hamnet, directed by Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao, is an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s critically acclaimed 2020 novel that explores the profound grief of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes following the death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet. Paul Mescal stars as Shakespeare, with Jessie Buckley portraying Agnes, delivering powerful performances that bring to life the emotional and intimate aspects of their marriage and loss. The story delves into how this personal tragedy inspired Shakespeare’s timeless play Hamlet, focusing more on love and loss than a traditional biopic. The film features a screenplay co-written by Zhao and O’Farrell, and boasts a strong supporting cast including Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet. The trailer highlights Zhao’s signature visual storytelling and the chemistry between the leads, setting the tone for a deeply moving historical drama. Hamnet is set for release in late 2025, with a U.S. limited release starting November 27 and a wider release on December 12, backed by producers including Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes.