Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal Share Their Experience in a Tantric Workshop for Hamnet
Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley on Dec. 16, 2025.
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Actors Discuss Unique Preparation for "Hamnet"
Jessie Buckley recently shared insights into a unique tantric workshop she attended with her co-star Paul Mescal as part of their preparation for the film Hamnet. The two portray William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, in this adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel.
In an interview with British Vogue published on January 6, Mescal, 29, reflected on the chemistry he developed with Buckley, stating that their initial reading together felt "intuitive and sexy." Buckley, 36, noted that their time off set included visits to a New York City club called Joyface, where they danced to Abba while filming various projects.
Their director, Chloé Zhao, encouraged the actors to engage in an unconventional workshop designed to help them embody aspects of their roles. The workshop included elements representing human reproductive symbols, or "lingam and yoni," closely associated with tantric philosophies that date back to the sixth century. According to the British Museum, tantra intertwines with yoga and sexuality.
“The first three minutes of it were excruciatingly embarrassing,” Buckley admitted. “You’re like: ‘We’ve been a penis and a vagina in front of each other, so let’s just go.’"
Chloé Zhao, Paul Mescal, and Jessie Buckley on the set of ‘Hamnet’.
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Zhao, recognized for her Oscar-winning film Nomadland, previously explained her fascination with tantra during Hamnet‘s premiere in November. “It’s about how to experience life through more of an embodied place instead of one’s mind,” she remarked. She also emphasized that the workshop aims to allow Mescal and Buckley to explore their gender dynamics safely, enhancing their performances.
The director compared the process to acting school techniques but with a distinct approach, allowing the actors to explore the depths of their characters. "When the container is strong, the water will then calm down and go deep," she added, noting the beauty of the connection that developed between the two actors early in the workshop.
Buckley’s performance in Hamnet has earned her accolades, including the Best Actress award at the Critics Choice Awards on January 4. She is also nominated for a Golden Globe in the category of Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, alongside notable contenders such as Jennifer Lawrence and Julia Roberts.
Looking ahead, Buckley is set to appear in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s upcoming film The Bride, which is scheduled for release on March 6.
