Jessie Buckley, known for her role in Hamnet, has opened up about her tough experience on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s talent show I’d Do Anything, where she felt mistreated and unfairly objectified. The actress, who participated in the show at 17, competed for the role of Nancy in the West End production of Oliver!.
Despite finishing as the runner-up to Jodie Prenger, Jessie, now 36, revealed that she struggled during the competition and was not in good health at the time. Speaking to Vogue magazine, she expressed her dismay at the objectification she faced as a young woman on the show and emphasized the importance of not subjecting women to such treatment.
Reflecting on her journey since the competition, Jessie disclosed that she faced challenges behind the scenes, including dealing with depression and body shaming. While offered the opportunity to be Jodie’s understudy in Oliver!, she opted to pursue other acting projects instead.
Following her time on I’d Do Anything, Jessie went on to star in various BBC productions like War and Peace, Taboo, Beast, and Wild Rose, garnering a BAFTA nomination for her outstanding performances. She further expanded her acting portfolio with roles in acclaimed series such as Chernobyl and Fargo, and notably featured in The Lost Daughter alongside Olivia Colman in 2021.
In a surprising turn of events, Jessie welcomed her first child in December, keeping her pregnancy under wraps until she publicly displayed her baby bump at an event. The private actress, who married her husband Freddie in 2022, has chosen to shield her personal life from the limelight, residing between residences in London and Norfolk.
Speaking on The New York Times Modern Love podcast, Jessie shared her joy at motherhood and the unique bond she shares with her daughter. She also revealed how her role in Hamnet influenced her decision to start a family, expressing her deep desire for motherhood after portraying a grieving mother in the film.
Looking ahead, Jessie expressed her hopes for her daughter to embrace life fully and to never feel constrained by societal expectations. She emphasized the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance, aiming to instill in her child the belief that every aspect of oneself is valuable and deserving of acknowledgment.
As inquiries regarding Jessie’s experience on the talent show have surfaced, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and the BBC have been contacted for comments.