URGENT UPDATE: In a significant shift for this awards season, Paul Mescal will be nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the critically acclaimed film Hamnet, directed by Chloe Zhao. This decision, confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, comes after widespread speculation regarding whether Mescal would compete in the lead actor category.
Mescal’s portrayal of playwright William Shakespeare will be recognized amidst intense competition, particularly with Jessie Buckley, who plays Agnes Shakespeare and is considered a frontrunner for Best Actress. Notably, Buckley appears in more than half of the film’s runtime, with Mescal featuring for only 44 minutes and 57 seconds, or 36 percent of the total. This dynamic underscores the supporting nature of Mescal’s performance.
As the film explores the themes of love and loss, Mescal’s role is characterized by his absence during critical moments in Agnes’s life, which adds emotional depth to the narrative. The decision to position Mescal in the supporting category also helps prevent potential vote-splitting, as he is the lead in another awards contender, The History of Sound.
Hamnet premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, where it generated buzz among critics and audiences alike. It later screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, winning the prestigious People’s Choice Award, a strong indicator of Oscar potential.
With the film scheduled for a limited theatrical release on November 27 and a wider release on December 12, excitement is building around Mescal’s performance and the film’s Oscar prospects.
Stay tuned for more updates as the awards season approaches, and watch for Hamnet to make waves in theaters this winter.