The History of Hamnet
Published January 12, 2026
Hamnet is a film that has been making waves with both movie-lovers and Shakespeare enthusiasts alike. The film is based on the book of the same name by Maggie O’Farrell, which is a mythologised tale of the death of Shakespeare’s son Hamnet, which leads to the writing of Hamlet.
With Hamnet screening at Studio 74, we are taking a look at the true story of the Shakespeare family which inspired this fascinating work…
We all know about Shakespeare the playwright. The bard in an Elizabethan ruff with a golden earring, who authored nearly 40 plays and more than 100 sonnets. However, little is known of Shakespeare’s personal life and much is left to speculation. Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway is also an elusive figure, but some details of their lives are known through historical documentation.
Stratford-Upon-Avon was Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway is believed to have grown up in a small village not far away. Shakespeare and Hathaway were married in November 1582 when Anne was twenty-six and Shakespeare was eighteen. Six months later, Hathaway gave birth to their first child, Susanna, and due to the closeness of the dates, it is widely believed that Hathaway was pregnant before the wedding. This has lead some to theorise that Shakespeare was pressured into marriage by family members. However, there is no material evidence to support this.
In 1585 Hathaway gave birth to Twins Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died tragically at the age of eleven of unknown causes. However, it is possible that he died from an outbreak of bubonic plague.
We do not know what kind of influence Hamnet’s death had on Shakespeare’s written work. The name of Shakespeare’s tragic Prince Hamlet is sometimes cited as a possible link. The names Hamnet and Hamlet were thought to be interchangeable in Tudor times. However, the similarity of the names could be a mere coincidence.
Fast forward to 2020 and Maggie O’Farrell releases her multi-award-winning novel, Hamnet. O’Farrell was intrigued by the Hamnet/Hamlet name parallel, and, in her story, Hamnet’s death is key to the creation of Shakespeare’s great tragedy. However, the story also focuses heavily on the character of Anne Hathaway, known here as Agnes. Agnes has supernatural powers and a profound connection to nature. She adores her family and the book details the grief she feels at her son’s death.
The film Hamnet is directed by Chloe Zhao, who is best known for her Oscar-winning film Nomadland. The screenplay was co-written by Maggie O’Farrell and Chloe Zhao, and features a tour-de-force performance from Jessie Buckley. Buckley’s portrayal of Agnes has made her an awards favourite this year. Paul Mescal also stars as Shakespeare and gives a powerful, emotional performance.
Hamnet is a blend of historical events, and O’Farrell and Zhao’s own spin on the lives of Shakespeare and Anne. The film has received widespread critical acclaim and has already won and been nominated for many prestigious awards. There have been many stories told of Shakespeare’s life, from the romantic comedy Shakespeare in Love to the side-splitting farce Bill, but Hamnet is a story of love and grief. It is a timeless, human story of family and parental love.
Hamnet (12A) is screening at Studio 74 until Thu 22 Jan.