Jessie Buckley wins first Oscar for playing Shakespeare's wife in 'Hamnet'

Jessie Buckley won her first Academy Award on Sunday, claiming the best actress ​trophy for her portrayal of playwright William Shakespeare's ‌wife in "Hamnet".

The Irish actor played the free-spirited Agnes Hathaway, opposite Paul Mescal as Shakespeare, as the couple grieves the ​death of their 11-year-old son.

Buckley, 36, tried ​to break into acting at age 17 ⁠when she competed for a role on London's ​West End in a BBC singing competition show called "I'd ​Do Anything". Judges praised Buckley's voice but some criticised her appearance as awkward and not feminine enough.

In 2018, Buckley gained ​praise for her breakout role as an aspiring ​country music singer in the film "Wild Rose", which earned her ‌a ⁠BAFTA nomination. Her other film appearances included "Women Talking" and "The Lost Daughter".

Buckley also starred in the TV series "Chernobyl" and the fourth season of "Fargo". On stage in ​London, her portrayal ​of Sally ⁠Bowles in a revival of "Cabaret" earned her the Laurence Olivier Award for best ​actress in a musical.

Buckley's Oscar win ​was ⁠considered a lock after she swept other major Hollywood awards. Her competitors for best actress included Rose Byrne, ⁠star ​of "If I Had Legs I'd ​Kick You".

Buckley currently stars as the bride of Frankenstein in the ​movie "The Bride!"