Jessie Buckley, the acclaimed Hollywood actress and former student of Thurles Ursuline Secondary School, appeared on the Late Late Show on Friday night alongside director Maggie Gyllenhaal. The pair discussed their new collaboration in the film The Bride, in which Buckley stars as the Bride of Frankenstein, opposite Christian Bale as Frankenstein’s Monster. This appearance coincides with Buckley’s rising profile during the current awards season, where she is widely regarded as a leading contender for the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao and inspired by the novel from Irish author Maggie O’Farrell.
Jessie Buckley Reflects on Life, Motherhood, and Career
During the interview with host Patrick Kielty, Buckley opened up about how becoming a mother has reshaped her perspective. She expressed gratitude for this new chapter, describing motherhood as
“like being born into a new identity”
and admitting to feelings of disorientation some mornings. Despite the challenges, she considers herself fortunate to have a strong support network around her. This personal insight revealed the pressured and overwhelming nature of balancing a demanding career while adapting to motherhood.
The Inspiration and Vision Behind The Bride
Maggie Gyllenhaal shared the origins of The Bride, explaining that the idea struck after she saw a man with a Bride of Frankenstein tattoo at a party. Curious about the limited role the Bride played in the original film, where she only had brief, silent appearances, Gyllenhaal sought to tell the story from her perspective instead of the Monster’s. She said Jessie Buckley was her first and only choice for the role, highlighting the transformative impact Buckley brought to the character. Buckley herself described the part as profoundly emotional and credited the love story at the film’s core for enriching her portrayal, which also resonated with her performance in Hamnet.
A Complicated Love Story That Defies Genre
Kielty remarked on how challenging it was to categorize the film, to which Buckley responded that it is fundamentally a love story imbued with tragedy and hope, offering fresh storytelling possibilities. Gyllenhaal elaborated that the film intentionally pushes past traditional genre limits, blending comedy, thriller, and horror elements. She emphasized that when women direct films on such a scale, the creative expression can feel distinct and more vibrant, expanding cinematic language in exciting ways.
Support from Home as Awards Season Peaks
With the Oscars looming, Buckley confirmed that her family’s support remains strong. She shared how her brother made an arduous journey all the way from the Arctic to attend the recent BAFTA awards, demonstrating the close ties that keep her grounded amid the frenzy. The emotional highlight of the night came when Buckley received a video message from students at her former secondary school in Kerry. She became visibly moved by their praise, telling them she feels equally inspired by their potential and sees them as the future.
The Bride’s Anticipated Irish Release and Critical Reception
The Bride is set to open in Irish cinemas on March 6. Early reactions following its world premiere have been overwhelmingly positive, describing the film as ferocious, funny, chaotic, and romantic. Critics have praised Jessie Buckley’s performance as yet another commanding and unforgettable role in her flourishing career. The film marks Maggie Gyllenhaal’s second feature as a director, adding to her directorial debut, The Lost Daughter, which also starred Buckley alongside Irish actor Paul Mescal. Mescal reunites with Buckley in Hamnet, further establishing an impressive network of collaborative works.
Jessie Buckley’s Expanding Filmography and Future Plans
Beyond these notable projects, Jessie Buckley has steadily built a reputation through diverse roles in films like I’m Thinking of Ending Things, Beast, Men, and the television series Chernobyl. Recently, she was confirmed to star in Alice Rohrwacher’s upcoming film Three Incestuous Sisters, directed by the acclaimed auteur filmmaker. This growing body of work highlights the Kerry native’s impressive versatility and talent—a legacy many from Thurles attribute, at least in part, to her formative years spent there.
