Who will win Best Actress?
Hamnet's Jessie Buckley might have history on her side – but with a line-up as strong as this, nothing is guaranteed.
- Chezelle Bingham
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Despite some truly astonishing snubs (how this won’t be Amanda Seyfried’s year is criminal), the best actress category is arguably the most stacked of this year’s Oscars cycle. From grieving mothers and troubled eldest daughters to potential aliens, the category is brimming with power.
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Even so, it seems that there is one clear frontrunner: Hamnet’s Jessie Buckley. Now a two-time nominee following her nod for 2021 drama The Lost Daughter, the Irish actress has received enormous acclaim for her role as Agnes, William Shakespeare’s wife, in Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel.
Emotionally raw and completely devastating, Buckley’s rich performance as a woman living through unimaginable tragedy is exactly the kind the Academy favours. Already the recipient of all the major awards preceding Oscars night – the Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, Bafta and Actor Award – history dictates that Buckley will almost certainly win, with no lead actress ever having failed to take home an Oscar after winning all four.
Jessie Buckley as Agnes in Hamnet. Universal Pictures
Still, there could be a glimmer of hope left for Rose Byrne. Earning her first ever nomination in her versatile, three decade-long career, Byrne is at her very best in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, where she plays Linda, a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown under the pressure of raising an unwell daughter with an absent husband and tumultuous job.
Byrne’s anxiety is palpable across the 113-minutes, filmed predominantly with claustrophobic close-ups that allow the audience to capture the complete emotional texture of its protagonist. Byrne is ferocious and sympathetic – folding in threads of humour with her strong comedic chops. Should Buckley somehow manage to stumble on the big night, it’s probable that Byrne will be next in line, especially considering her Golden Globe win earlier this season.
Emma Stone as Michelle in Bugonia. Focus Features
And then there’s the return of Emma Stone, whose near-annual nominations seem inevitable at this point. This year marks Stone’s fifth nod – and it’s for one of her most layered roles to date. In Bugonia, she is Michelle Fuller, a pharmaceutical CEO who may or may not be from outer space. There are several tiers to Stone’s fascinating performance, all better understood upon second viewing. A win for Stone, however, seems unlikely, at least partly due to her relatively quiet campaign. However, with two Oscars already under her belt, Stone may not be that determined for another win.
Kate Hudson & Hugh Jackman in Song Sung Blue. Universal
Kate Hudson has also found herself a spot on the list for her charismatic yet tragic portrayal of Claire Cartwright in Craig Brewer’s Song Sung Blue. Though Hudson was praised as the standout of the musical drama, her nomination was the most unexpected of the season – with the somewhat rogue selection prompting much social media discussion – and many arguing that Amanda Seyfreid’s mesmerising performance in The Testament of Ann Lee, Jennifer Lawrence’s feverish turn in Die My Love or Chase Infini’s debut in best picture favourite One Battle After Another were equally, if not more, deserving. Regardless, it’s Hudson who has cemented her spot in the line-up – even though a win seems only a minor possibility.
Renate Reinsve as Nora in Sentimental Value. MUBI/Nordisk Fil/Memento Distribution
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Finally, there’s Renate Reinsve – whose nomination was probably never in any doubt. Reinsve’s delicate, sensitive and completely captivating performance as Nora Borg in Sentimental Value is something to admire, exploring familial complexities and infused with remarkable realism: with a particular scene between Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas one of the year’s most touching moments. Though a Reinsve win may be improbable, with the Academy often favouring louder voices over precise, tender performances, her turn will almost certainly be remembered long after this season, regardless of the outcome.
Authors
Chezelle BinghamSub-Editor
Chezelle Bingham is a Sub-Editor for Radio Times. She previously worked on Disney magazines as a Writer, for 6 pre-school and primary titles. Alongside her prior work in writing, she possesses a BA in English Literature and Language.
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