Jessie Buckley Discusses Acting and Mental Health
Oscar frontrunner Jessie Buckley has described acting as "like water to me," explaining how her dedication to the craft played a crucial role in helping her overcome an eating disorder and depression during her teenage years.
The Irish actress, aged 36, has earned numerous accolades for her portrayal of Agnes Hathaway, William Shakespeare's wife, in the film Hamnet. She is currently a contender for the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Buckley, originally from Killarney, County Kerry, and now residing in Norfolk, shared with BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs that acting was "essential" to her and credited it with aiding her mental health recovery.
Career Beginnings and Personal Reflections
In addition to selecting her musical tracks, Buckley discussed her experience on the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything and expressed admiration for her "extraordinary" mother.
Also a Mercury Music Prize-nominated singer, Buckley told presenter Lauren Laverne that she does not regret the difficulties she faced.
"I didn't know how to be alive the way I wanted to be, and it was difficult," she said. "But I do not for a second regret it, and I think I've been able to transform it and recognise our vulnerabilities as humans in the world.
"You can't walk through life not being affected, but you can transform that into something that allows you to be more human and alive in the way that you want to be."
She revealed that even after moving to London, her struggles persisted.
"There were moments where I was like, 'if I don't get better here, this music, this being part of theatre - I'm not going to be able to do this any more, and I probably won't survive'," she said.
"And that was the thing that turned it in my head. I was like, 'I don't want to sacrifice that, this is bigger than that', and won."
Award-Winning Role in Hamnet
Buckley has received a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and several other awards for her role in Hamnet, which is based on Maggie O'Farrell's novel of the same name.
Reflecting on her first stage performance, she said:
"It was like drinking water, you know? I just think, the more I did it, the more I realised, this is essential to me."
Early Fame and Industry Challenges
Buckley first gained public attention on I'd Do Anything, a talent show searching for an actress to play Nancy in a West End production of Oliver!
In a January interview with British Vogue, she discussed the criticism she faced regarding her appearance.
"I don't like that part of it," she told Laverne. "I think that was a young woman who's trying to discover her body and herself, like we all do. And I wish that hadn't happened.
"I was putting a brave face on, because really what I wanted to do was sing and I wanted to act, and I wanted to be part of this industry, and all of a sudden you had to be a certain kind of person.
"And I just wasn't, I never will be. That's just not me."
Personal Tribute and Music Choices
Buckley became emotional as she selected a rendition of "O Holy Night" performed by her mother, Marina, singing in church, as one of her chosen tracks.
"My parents are no longer together, and she lives in Dublin, and she's writing her own story right now at 60 years of age," Buckley said, "and I'm so proud of her."
Jessie Buckley's Desert Island Disc Selections
- Disc one: "Samhradh Samhradh" - The Gloaming
- Disc two: "O Holy Night," composed by Adolph Adam and performed by Marina Cassidy
- Disc three: "Who Knows Where the Time Goes" (Live at Philharmonic Hall, New York, NY - October 1969) - Nina Simone
- Disc four: "Troy" - Sinéad O'Connor
- Disc five: "Send In the Clowns" – Judi Dench
- Disc six: "Shobis Galoba (Christmas Song)" - Basiani Ensemble
- Disc seven: "The Red Shoes" - Kate Bush
- Disc eight: "Old Note" - Lisa O'Neill
Her book choice was The Complete Poems of Tim Buckley, and her luxury item was her own bathtub and bath salts.
Buckley's favourite track was "Samhradh Samhradh" by The Gloaming.
Listening Information and Support
The full episode of Jessie Buckley's Desert Island Discs is available from 10:00 on BBC Radio 4 or online here.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this article, support is available through BBC Action Line.
