Jessie Buckley’s Surprise 2026 Album Announcement: Release Date, Full Tracklist & How to Listen

Hometown Killarney Awaits Historic Night From supermarket staff crafting Jessie Buckley masks to special screenings at the family-run Arbutus Hotel, County Kerry is in full celebration mode as locals count down to the 98th Academy Awards, hoping to see their “Kerry girl” crowned Best Actress. How Buckley Became the Awards-Season Front-Runner After sweeping the Golden Globes, Actor Awards and BAFTAs, Buckley enters Oscar night with betting markets giving her a commanding 97.8 % probability of victory—odds that pundits are calling “a historic coronation”. Inside Her Transformative Performance in “Hamnet” In Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, Buckley inhabits Agnes Hathaway with a visceral connection to nature, beginning each dawn shoot with a freezing swim that, she says, “reset the senses” before filming emotionally raw scenes. Critics praise the performance for anchoring the film’s meditation on grief and resilience, positioning the Irish star at the center of this year’s cinematic conversation. Why an Oscar Win Would Re-Write Irish Film History If her name is read tonight, Buckley will become the first Irish woman ever to take home Best Actress, and only the third Irish female acting winner after Brenda Fricker’s 1990 supporting win and Maureen O’Hara’s 2014 honorary statuette—an achievement that cultural commentators say could turbo-charge investment in Ireland’s thriving screen industry. Red-Carpet Style Already Making Headlines Early arrivals at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre show Buckley embracing Old-Hollywood glamour with a modern twist, continuing a season of viral fashion moments that have dominated social media hashtags like #JessieBuckley and #HamnetDress. What’s Next for the Rising Icon Win or lose, Buckley’s schedule is packed: she begins shooting the sci-fi thriller “Eventide” in May and returns to the London stage this autumn for a revival of “Cabaret,” ensuring that the momentum behind her breakout year extends well beyond Oscar night. Where and When to Watch The 2026 Academy Awards air live worldwide tonight at 5 p.m. PDT/8 p.m. EDT. Irish fans can catch RTÉ 2’s simulcast from 1 a.m. GMT Monday, with public viewing parties planned across Killarney’s pubs and cinemas.