Hamnet Film: Chloé Zhao’s Poignant Adaptation of Shakespeare’s Family Loss

Stratford-upon-Avon, 12 January 2026 – Chloé Zhao’s 2025 film Hamnet offered a deeply moving exploration of William Shakespeare’s personal life, focusing on the devastating loss of his son and its influence on his masterpiece Hamlet.

Plot Overview

The film, based on Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel, centred on Agnes Hathaway (Jessie Buckley), Shakespeare’s wife, as she navigated grief following the death of their 11-year-old son Hamnet from plague in 1596. It portrayed the couple’s romance, family life, and how tragedy inspired Shakespeare’s iconic play, blending historical fiction with emotional depth.

Cast and Production

Jessie Buckley delivered a powerful performance as Agnes, capturing raw maternal anguish, while Paul Mescal portrayed Shakespeare with vulnerability and creativity. Supporting roles included Emily Watson as Shakespeare’s mother and Jacobi Jupe as the young Hamnet. Directed by Zhao, who co-wrote the screenplay with O’Farrell, the film featured cinematography by Łukasz Żal and a score by Max Richter, enhancing its atmospheric, period setting.

Key Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hamnet about?

Hamnet dramatised the imagined story of William Shakespeare’s family, particularly the grief Agnes experienced after losing their son Hamnet, and how this tragedy linked to the creation of Hamlet.

Who directed Hamnet?

Chloé Zhao, the Oscar-winning director of Nomadland, directed and co-wrote the film.

Where was Hamnet filmed?

Principal photography took place in Herefordshire and Wales, with locations including Weobley village and a custom-built Globe Theatre replica.

Is Hamnet based on a true story?

It drew from historical facts, such as Shakespeare’s son’s death in 1596, but was largely fictionalised, inspired by Maggie O’Farrell’s novel.