AceShowbiz - Jessie Buckley delivered a moving acceptance speech during the SAG-AFTRA 2026 Actor Awards, where she publicly thanked her Hamnet co-star Emily Watson for her inspiration and friendship. The ceremony took place on Sunday, March 1, at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.

Jessie Buckley, who was honored with the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, expressed deep appreciation for Emily Watson, sharing how their collaboration and Watson’s artistry profoundly influenced her career. "I would like to say a special thank you to my incredible friend and date tonight, Emily Watson. Breaking the Waves made me whisper to myself, ‘That’s what I want to do,’ and to share those scenes with you in Hamnet, I will cherish that for the rest of my life," Buckley said.

She praised Watson’s creative spirit and strength, saying, "Your wild imagination, your brave, untethered womanhood, your ferocious gentleness is a guiding light to me. And the best advice you always give to me is to go back to the well of just being human. Ground zero, babe. You are the realest of the real."

Buckley also expressed her gratitude toward the SAG-AFTRA community, emphasizing how much she values being a part of this artistic family. "I love and cherish being part of this community and hope I can continue to offer something meaningful back," she added.

The SAG-AFTRA 2026 Actor Awards featured a highly competitive lineup in the leading female actor category. The event, hosted by Kristen Bell for the third consecutive year, brought together many renowned actresses. The nominees included Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another, and Emma Stone for Bugonia.

Following the nomination announcements in January, many of the actresses expressed their gratitude for the recognition by their peers within the SAG-AFTRA community. Chase Infiniti, in particular, shared her excitement after receiving her first nomination, stating, "Thank you to the Actor Awards and SAG-AFTRA for this incredible honor. To be recognized by my peers within this dynamic community of artists, a community that has so warmly welcomed me, is just beyond anything I could have ever dreamed up."

She continued, "Getting to play Willa was one of the greatest gifts and it is all thanks to the visionary [director] Paul Thomas Anderson. I'm over the moon for Leo [DiCaprio], Benicio [del Toro], Sean [Penn], and Teyana [Taylor] for their nominations. Congratulations to my fellow nominees Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, and Emma Stone. All your performances completely blew me away this year and it is a deep honor to be nominated alongside you all."

Buckley, who had earlier in the year won both the Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards for her role, echoed similar sentiments. She described the recognition from fellow performers as "monumentally special," highlighting how inspiring it was to be acknowledged by a community she admires.

The ceremony was a showcase of Hollywood’s finest talent, with stars arriving in stunning fashion on the red carpet. The event celebrated not only individual achievements but also the collective spirit of artists who contribute to film and television.

In her remarks, Buckley reflected on the collaborative nature of filmmaking, particularly praising director Chloé Zhao for uniting such a talented group of actors and creators. "I will keep saying this: I love being part of this village. I'm so grateful to [director] Chloé Zhao for bringing together this extraordinary group of actors and humans to share in the deeply emotional experience of making this film," she said.

She named her castmates — Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Jacobi Jupe, Noah Jupe, Joe Alwyn, and others — as key to her emotional journey during the project. "I share this with you. I am forever both lifted and grounded by you. Thank you," Buckley added.

Rose Byrne, who also won a Golden Globe this year for her role in the Mary Bronstein film, expressed admiration for the talented group of nominees she stood alongside. "I am so beyond honored to be recognized by my peers! This is truly so meaningful and overwhelming," she said. "This group of actresses is extraordinary and I am honored to be among them and their incredible work. Thank you to SAG AFTRA and thank you for my dental insurance!!!!"

The 2026 SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards highlighted a dynamic and supportive community of artists celebrating exceptional work across film and television. The event underscored the importance of camaraderie, creative collaboration, and mutual respect among performers in the industry.

Jessie Buckley’s heartfelt tribute to Emily Watson stood out as a poignant moment during the ceremony, emphasizing the power of mentorship and friendship in the demanding world of acting.

With the competition fierce and the talent pool rich, the awards ceremony reaffirmed the value of peer recognition and the joy of sharing creative achievements with a community that deeply understands the craft.