Hollywood’s awards season is in full swing, and this year, a unique blend of family drama, creative ambition, and British soap opera nostalgia has captivated audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. At the heart of this year’s buzz is the critically acclaimed film Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao and based on Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel. The movie not only swept up major honors at the Critics’ Choice Awards in Los Angeles on January 9, 2026—where Jessie Buckley took home Best Actress for her portrayal of Agnes, William Shakespeare’s wife—but also thrust an unexpected British family into the Hollywood limelight.
For many British viewers, the sight of Katy Cavanagh—best known for her role as the effervescent Julie Carp on Coronation Street—at a top-tier table during the star-studded Critics’ Choice ceremony was a delightful surprise. But Cavanagh’s presence wasn’t just about nostalgia. She was there as a proud mother and manager—a so-called ‘momager’—supporting her two sons, Noah Jupe, 20, and Jacobi Jupe, 12, who both star in Hamnet alongside Buckley and Paul Mescal.
Jacobi plays the film’s tragic title role, Shakespeare’s son who died at just 11, while Noah steps into the shoes of an actor performing Hamlet in a play said to be inspired by that very loss. The film’s narrative, as reported by The Guardian, centers on Shakespeare (portrayed by Mescal), whose creative drive and career ambitions threaten to distance him from his family, culminating in the devastating loss of his son. This modern, empathetic take on the legendary playwright’s domestic life has resonated deeply with critics and audiences alike.
But the Jupes’ ascent in Hollywood is no mere accident. According to The Daily Mail, Cavanagh has poured her energy into guiding her sons’ budding careers, even putting her own acting ambitions on hold. An industry insider remarked, “She’s put everything into helping the boys have the best start in the industry. She’s put her own career on the back burner to help them realize their dreams. Obviously she’s not known in Hollywood, so it’s not like her name has particularly opened doors for them, but she’s got them into the industry and is constantly helping them.”
Noah Jupe is already a seasoned performer, boasting 26 film and TV credits, including standout roles in the Quiet Place franchise and projects with stars like Nicole Kidman, George Clooney, and Hugh Grant. Yet, it was Jacobi who was first cast in Hamnet by Zhao. When the production struggled to find its Hamlet, Cavanagh herself suggested Noah for the part. Recalling the moment, Noah told Time magazine, “Two months into their shoot and I got a call from my mum and Chloe, and they’re very giddy and smiling. They say to me, ‘How would you feel about playing Hamlet?’ It was obviously something you just cannot turn down.”
Both brothers have been open about the vital role their parents have played in their journeys. Noah credits his mother and father, producer Chris Jupe, for shaping both his career and mindset: “Without them, a) I don’t think I would’ve chosen the same level of jobs potentially, and b) I might’ve not been mentally the way I am right now.” Jacobi echoes this sentiment, saying, “Honestly, I don’t know how I would be here if it weren’t for them.”
As Hamnet continues to draw critical raves, it stands in good company among a trio of films this season that delve into the complex relationships between ambitious fathers and their families. The Guardian highlights a trend: along with Hamnet, Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly and Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value have all garnered significant awards chatter, with the Golden Globes looming on January 12 and Oscar nominations set for January 22.
Each film takes a distinct approach to the theme of creative compulsion and familial sacrifice. Hamnet offers a sympathetic portrayal of Shakespeare—not just as a literary genius but as a conflicted husband and father. Zhao’s direction, according to The Guardian, “takes the most empathetic approach to all of its characters.” Mescal’s Shakespeare is depicted as a young, gifted playwright, torn between his obligations to his craft and his responsibilities at home. In one memorable scene, he improvises “To be or not to be” almost offhandedly, underscoring both his brilliance and his preoccupation.
The film doesn’t shy away from asking tough questions: Is it acceptable to be selfish if one’s talents are extraordinary? Who gets to judge such choices—especially without the benefit of hindsight? Zhao’s script doesn’t dwell on these dilemmas, instead portraying Shakespeare as a man partly driven by the need to provide for his family. Agnes, played by Buckley, is depicted as equally committed, discussing her husband’s upcoming work even while in the throes of labor.
By contrast, Jay Kelly and Sentimental Value offer more satirical or bittersweet takes on the theme. In Jay Kelly, George Clooney plays a pampered actor reflecting on the costs of his ambition, while Sentimental Value features Stellan Skarsgård as a narcissistic director seeking redemption with his estranged daughters. Yet, as The Guardian points out, it is Hamnet that has so far clinched the big awards, with Buckley’s Critics’ Choice win serving as a bellwether for further success.
The depiction of fathers grappling with the consequences of their ambition marks, as The Guardian observes, a kind of progress in cinematic storytelling. For decades, mothers have been portrayed as emotionally torn between work and family; now, fathers are entering that “fray,” wrestling with guilt, regret, and the hope for reconciliation. “Yes, some learn too little, others are punished too much. But at least they’ve entered the fray,” the article notes.
Looking ahead, the buzz around Hamnet shows no sign of slowing. With the Golden Globes approaching—where the film, Buckley, and co-star Paul Mescal are all nominated—and Oscar nominations on the horizon, the Jupes and their determined momager are poised for even greater recognition. Katy Cavanagh and Jacobi are expected to attend the Globes, continuing their whirlwind journey from the cobbles of Weatherfield to the bright lights of Hollywood.
In a season filled with stories about the cost of ambition and the bonds of family, Hamnet stands out not just for its artistry but for the real-life family at its heart—one that’s proving, both on screen and off, that the ties that bind can also inspire greatness.
