Useful Information/Recommendations

Killarney’s Sweetheart

becomes international success

Growing up in Killarney Jessie Buckley became a firm favourite on the drama scene and has since gone on to become an international star of stage and screen.

In April this year Jessie took on one of the lead roles in Shakespeare’s 'Romeo and Juliet' – but it was her modern twist and Kerry accent in the reimagined Sky Arts film – which was filmed on stage at the National Theatre London - that had critics praising her work. Her ability to immerse herself in a variety of characters keeps viewers mesmerised and engaged in every story she takes on. Last year she had a role in ‘I'm Thinking of Ending Things’, and a lead role as nurse Oraetta Mayflower in season four of ‘Fargo’. A year earlier, she portrayed the real life story of Lyudmilla Ignatenko in HBO’s ‘Chernobyl’, depicting the traumatic events of the 1986 disaster, which was probably one of the biggest projects which brought her to a wider television audience. A year previously Jessie starred alongside Golden Globe winner Dame Julie Walters as Rose-Lynn Harlan in 'Wild Rose', a single mother of two just released from prison, seeking Country Music fame in Tennessee. Earlier roles included Marya Bolkonskaya in the BBC 2016 adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's ‘War and Peace’, Lorna Bow in ‘Taboo’ and Marian Halcombe in ‘The Woman in White’. She made her film debut in 2017 playing the lead role of Moll Huntford in ‘Beast’. In 2019, the Muckross native was recognised by Forbes in its annual 30 Under 30 list, and in 2020 she was number 38 on The Irish Times list of Ireland's greatest film actors.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

From a very young age, Jessie was bitten by the acting bug. Her mom Marina Cassidy worked as a vocal coach, and encouraged her daughter to pursue her dreams. Jessie immersed herself in music, reaching grade eight in piano, clarinet and harp with the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and becoming of a member of Killarney Musical Society as well as the Tipperary Millennium Orchestra. During her summers, Jessie attended The Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) workshops which, no doubt, played a hugely important part in developing the young actress’ raw talent. After many years treading the boards locally, Jessie crossed the water, enttering the BBC’s televised talent show 'I'd Do Anything’ in 2008. Millions tuned in every week and, although she came in second place, it was the start of a career which many a young actor can only dream of. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2013, and has since dedicated herself to every role - often shutting herself away from the world as she perfects each new character In 2018 she won Most Promising Newcomer and was nominated as Best Actress in the British Independent Film Awards. In 2019 she was nominated for a Rising Star Award at the British Academy Film Awards, won Breakthrough Performance – Actress at the Hollywood Critics Association, Actress in a Supporting Role – Television for her role in ‘Chernobyl’ and Actress in a Leading Role – Film at the 2020 Irish Film & Television Awards (IFTAs) as well as many other nominations and wins to her career. And, at just 32-years-old, the local woman is sure to set Hollywood alight even more in the coming years.