“Hamnet” actress Jessie Buckley recently shared her distressing experience on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TV competition show “I’d Do Anything,” where she felt mistreated and unfairly objectified. At the age of 17, Jessie participated in the show, vying for the role of Nancy in the musical “Oliver!” but ultimately finished as the runner-up.
Reflecting on her time on the show, now 36-year-old Jessie expressed her struggles during the competition, revealing that she was not in good health at the time. She opened up about feeling objectified as a young woman and the challenges she faced behind the scenes, including battling depression and body shaming.
Despite being offered the understudy role in “Oliver!” after the competition, Jessie declined and went on to achieve success in various BBC productions like “War and Peace,” “Taboo,” and “Beast.” Her standout performance in “Wild Rose” earned her a BAFTA nomination, leading to roles in acclaimed projects such as “Chernobyl” and FX’s “Fargo.” In 2021, she portrayed a younger version of Olivia Colman’s character in “The Lost Daughter.”
In a surprising turn of events, Jessie welcomed her first child in December, keeping her pregnancy discreet until her baby bump was visible at a public event. She and her husband, known only as Freddie, lead a private life split between London and Norfolk. Jessie shared her joy of motherhood in a recent podcast interview, highlighting her deep connection with her newborn daughter.
The transformative experience of filming “Hamnet,” where she portrays a grieving mother, influenced Jessie’s real-life journey to motherhood. She revealed how the role inspired her to become a mother herself, leading to her pregnancy shortly after filming wrapped. The film delves into the emotional impact of the death of William Shakespeare’s son on his marriage, serving as a catalyst for his renowned play, “Hamlet.”
Looking ahead, Jessie aims to instill in her daughter the importance of embracing all aspects of life without fear or self-doubt. She emphasizes the value of living authentically and fully, drawing from her own experiences and the lessons passed down by her mother.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and the BBC have been approached for comments on Jessie’s revelations.