Interview:
Paul Mescal,
"Hamnet"
Directed by Chloé Zhao, the historical drama Hamnet focuses on the relationship between playwright William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes (Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, respectively). Told from Agnes’ perspective, this adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell’s 2020 novel opens with Agnes and William falling in love at first sight followed by the soulmates tying the knot and raising their twin children, Hamnet and Judith. When tragedy strikes, William throws himself so deep into the writing of a new play that Agnes is left to cope with her grief on her own. Hamnet also stars Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet, Olivia Lynes as Judith, Emily Watson as William’s mother Mary, and Joe Alwyn as Judith’s brother Bartholomew. Hamnet, which premiered locally at this year’s Austin Film Festival, opened Nov. 26 in Austin theaters. Paul Mescal received an Oscar nomination for Aftersun and also starred in All of Us Strangers, Foe, Gladiator II, and The History of Sound. Future projects include The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event and Merrily We Roll Along, which Richard Linklater is shooting over the course of 20 years.
Note: Paul Mescal participated in a global virtual press conference in November for Hamnet, answering questions from members of the Critics Choice Association, including Lights Camera Austin host/producer Robert Sims. This segment offers an edited version of the press conference, with questions summarized for clarity. Aired: Nov. 26, 2025. Web site: https://www.focusfeatures.com/hamnet |
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