The story of William Shakespeare’s family—long overshadowed by the legend of the Bard himself—has taken center stage in 2026, captivating audiences on both stage and screen. With the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) celebrated adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel Hamnet making its U.S. premiere at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and a star-studded film version earning accolades and streaming debuts, Shakespeare’s personal life, especially the tragedy that shaped his greatest works, is being reimagined for a new generation.
On March 1, 2026, the RSC’s stage adaptation of Hamnet opened to American audiences at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Adapted by the acclaimed playwright Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by Erica Whyman, the production pulls back the curtain on the private world of Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes Hathaway, offering a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of storytelling. Set in Warwickshire in 1582, the play introduces audiences to Agnes, a natural healer, and William, then a Latin tutor, as they fall in love, build a family, and face the unimaginable grief of losing their 11-year-old son, Hamnet, to the plague.
The adaptation is not just a retelling of historical events but a meditation on how personal tragedy can ignite creative genius. According to the RSC’s co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, "We are delighted to be returning to Chicago Shakespeare Theater where we were welcomed so warmly when we brought Shakespeare’s Pericles to audiences on Navy Pier last year, marking the RSC’s first visit to the city in 30 years. It’s wonderful to be coming back in 2026 with Lolita Chakrabarti’s beautiful adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, which offers a compelling new perspective on Shakespeare through the eyes of Agnes Hathaway and their children. We can’t wait to share this intimate and moving story with US audiences."
Chakrabarti herself described the play as “a heartwarming and heartbreaking exploration of family, loss, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive.” Her adaptation brings to life not only William and Agnes but also Shakespeare’s sister, their parents, and their three children, painting a vivid portrait of a family living in the shadow of genius and grief. The play delves into why Shakespeare left for London, how his family managed in his absence, and how the devastating loss of a child ultimately inspired one of the most important plays in the western world—Hamlet.
While the stage adaptation has been drawing crowds in Chicago, Hamnet has also made a splash on the silver screen. The historical drama film, starring Jessie Buckley as Agnes Hathaway and Paul Mescal as Shakespeare, has been a major player in the 2025 and 2026 awards seasons. Directed and co-written by Academy Award-winner Chloé Zhao, and co-produced by Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes, the movie offers a cinematic take on the same story, blending historical detail with the emotional depth that has made O’Farrell’s novel a bestseller.
The film first opened in limited release on November 27, 2025, before expanding to a wide release on December 12. It quickly garnered critical acclaim and became available on premium video on demand on February 3, 2026. For those eager to watch at home, Hamnet will make its streaming video on demand debut on Peacock on March 6, 2026. Peacock’s subscription options range from the ad-based Premium plan at $10.99 per month to the ad-free Premium Plus at $16.99 per month, ensuring fans have multiple ways to experience the film.
The official logline for the film, as shared by Peacock, reads: “From Academy Award-winning writer/director Chloé Zhao, Hamnet tells the powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet.” The casting of Buckley and Mescal has been widely praised, with critics highlighting their chemistry and emotional range. The film also features Emily Watson and Joe Alwyn in supporting roles, further bolstering its dramatic heft.
Hamnet’s impact has been felt most strongly during the awards season. The film is nominated for eight Oscars at the upcoming 2026 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Chloé Zhao, Best Actress for Jessie Buckley, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell. Its presence at the awards is a testament to the story’s resonance and the film’s artistry.
Jessie Buckley’s portrayal of Agnes Hathaway has been particularly lauded. She won Best Actress at the 2026 Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards. The film itself claimed the Best Motion Picture (Drama) trophy at the Golden Globes and Best British Film at the BAFTAs. At the 2026 Actor Awards, Hamnet was nominated for three major categories, including Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Paul Mescal. Buckley took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, cementing her status as one of the year’s standout performers.
The accolades don’t stop there. The film was also nominated for Producer of the Year by the Producers Guild of America and Best Director by the Directors Guild of America, further underscoring its industry-wide impact. Rated PG-13, Hamnet is accessible to a broad audience, inviting families and Shakespeare enthusiasts alike to experience the emotional journey at its core.
What makes Hamnet’s dual success on stage and screen so compelling is the way both adaptations shed light on the personal experiences that shaped Shakespeare’s work. By focusing on Agnes Hathaway—whose story has often been relegated to the margins—both the play and the film invite audiences to consider the cost of genius and the resilience required to survive profound loss. The death of Hamnet, the couple’s only son, is depicted not just as a personal tragedy but as the crucible from which great art is forged.
For theatergoers in Chicago, the RSC’s production is a rare treat. The company’s return to the city, after a 30-year absence prior to last year’s production of Pericles, signals a renewed commitment to bringing world-class Shakespearean drama to American audiences. As Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey noted, sharing this “intimate and moving story” with U.S. audiences is both a privilege and an opportunity to deepen the public’s understanding of the man behind the myth.
Meanwhile, film fans can look forward to streaming Hamnet at home, discovering for themselves why the story has captivated critics and awards voters alike. With its blend of historical detail, emotional depth, and universal themes of love and loss, Hamnet is poised to leave a lasting mark on both stage and screen.
As audiences continue to flock to theaters and tune in from home, Hamnet stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling—and the ways in which even the greatest writers are shaped by the most personal of tragedies.