Hamnet, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, has just confirmed a release date. Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao, the upcoming movie adapts the book of the same name by Maggie O'Farrell. Published in 2020, the novel is a reimagining of the story of William Shakespeare's son Hamnet, who died at a young age, and focuses on his grieving father and mother, Agnes.
What to Read Next The film will be in US cinemas for a limited release from 27 November, expanding to a wider release from 12 December. A UK release date has yet to be confirmed, but will hopefully be around the same time. Zhao, who co-wrote the script with O'Farrell, also serves as producer alongside Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes, among others.
John Nacion // Getty Images Related: Best streaming services The film stars Mescal as the Bard and Buckley as Agnes, while Joe Alwyn plays Bartholomew and Jacobi Jupe features in the titular role. Mescal and Buckley previously starred in The Lost Daughter, from writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal — though the different timelines in the film meant the two stars didn't share any scenes. An adaptation of the novel of the same name by Elena Ferrante, The Lost Daughter starred Olivia Colman as university professor and translator Leda Caruso who looks back on her life during a holiday in Greece.
Getty Images Related: Best film and TV tours for 2025 The 2021 film deals with themes of motherhood, depression and expectations on women, with Buckley playing a younger version of Leda. The Lost Daughter also featured Dakota Johnson as Nina, a young mother who Leda befriends on holiday, Jack Farthing as Leda's husband Joe, and Ed Harris as Lyle. Buckley and Colman, who portray the same character at different ages, would go on to star together on Wicked Little Letters, a dark comedy inspired by real events.
Hamnet will release in US cinemas on 27 November, expanding its release on 12 December. A UK release date is to be confirmed. Digital Spy's first print magazine is here!
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