Jessie Buckley

Biography

Jessie Buckley is an acclaimed Irish actress and singer known for her extraordinary versatility, emotional depth, and commanding screen presence. She was born on December 28, 1989, in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. Raised in a musical family, Buckley developed a love for performing at an early age, encouraged by her mother, who worked as a vocal coach.

She attended Ursuline Secondary School in Thurles, where she excelled in drama and music, later honing her craft at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating in 2013.

Career

Jessie Buckley first came to public attention in 2008 when she competed on the BBC television talent show I’d Do Anything, where she finished as runner-up. Her natural charisma and vocal talent quickly earned her recognition, leading to roles in musical theatre productions such as A Little Night Music and The Tempest.

Her transition to film and television was equally impressive. Buckley gained critical praise for her television roles in Taboo (2017) alongside Tom Hardy and War & Peace (2016), where she showcased her ability to bring depth and vulnerability to complex characters.

Her breakout film role came with Beast (2017), a psychological thriller in which she played a young woman torn between love and violence. The film’s success established her as one of the most promising talents in British and Irish cinema.

Buckley’s career reached new heights with standout performances in:

Wild Rose (2018) – as an aspiring country singer from Glasgow, earning her BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations.

Judy (2019) – opposite Renée Zellweger.

I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020) – Charlie Kaufman’s surreal psychological drama.

The Lost Daughter (2021) – playing the younger version of Olivia Colman’s character, a role that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Women Talking (2022) – part of an ensemble cast nominated for multiple major awards, including Best Picture at the Oscars.

Buckley has also appeared in the hit Netflix series Fargo (Season 4) and continues to work in theatre, including a highly praised performance in Cabaret (2021) at London’s Playhouse Theatre, for which she received the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.