The first teaser trailer for Chloé Zhao’s highly anticipated historical drama Hamnet has been released, offering a haunting glimpse into the untold emotional world of William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, following the death of their young son.

Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 best-selling novel, Hamnet stars Paul Mescal (Gladiator II) as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter) as Agnes Shakespeare. The film also features Joe Alwyn (The Favourite), Emily Watson (Chernobyl), and rising star Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet, the child whose loss shapes the greatest playwright’s most enduring tragedy.

The teaser captures Zhao’s signature visual lyricism, blending intimate close-ups, rural landscapes, and hushed tones of grief with stirring dialogue. In one fleeting moment, Mescal’s Shakespeare is seen writing by candlelight, while Buckley’s Agnes walks through a misty field, her face etched with pain and resilience.

Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 7, 2025, Hamnet will open in limited U.S. theatres on November 27 before expanding nationwide on December 12.

With Zhao at the helm and two of the industry’s most celebrated young actors in the lead roles, Hamnet is shaping up to be a major awards contender this season.

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