Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal

Leading Actors in Hamnet

The chemistry of these two actors on screen seems to be matched by their chemistry off screen, if you listen to their own descriptions of their relationship.

Paul: “I adore her”

Jessie: “I could drink you like water working with you every single day.  You’re a giant of the heart and thank you so much for making me a little more human.”

This is not a blog about the film itself, though it is a triumph, directed by Chloe Zhao in a production involving Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes.  Hubby and I went to see the film a couple of weeks ago, and were stunned by it.  We could totally see why it is up for so many awards.  The film is about loss and grief.  I can’t evaluate how true the plot is, taken from Maggie O’Farrell’s book “Hamnet”, and her theory that William Shakespeare wrote Hamlet out of the experience of losing his son.  But strangely, after the film ended, at a time when you usually ask each other what you thought, we did not speak to each other for an hour!  The film was raw and primal, which was a lot to do with Jessie’s performance.  Hubby was especially taken with the realism of the film.  The scenery in the countryside and in the reconstructed Tudor buildings, was spectacular, too.  But I was particularly moved by the breathtaking performance of the young actor playing the son, Jacobi Jupe, the son of Coronation Street actress Katy Cavanagh.  One of my friends, who has lost more than one child, could not think of watching this film, she told me.  So in a way I am taking a side-step in addressing the more frivolous matter of the relationship between the leading actors.

Jessie Buckley

[People] “will be talking about Jessie Buckley’s performance for years.”

~ David Fear, Rolling Stone magazine

Birth Chart

Jessie has the Sun in Capricorn, born on a New Moon in that sign.  She can bring a freshness to all she does.  Her Sun and Moon make a high number of conjunctions to other planets, to Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.  That leads to a sophisticated awareness and intensity, which she brings to her roles.   The Sun and Moon also oppose Jupiter and Chiron, adding enthusiasm and depth.  She has Venus exactly sextile Mars which is the raw sensuality she exudes in Hamnet.  Jupiter opposing Uranus means she is willing to take risks.

Life and Career

Jessie was born in Killarney, and attended an all-girls convent school.  Her mother is a vocal coach.  Jessie attended RADA, and graduated in 2013.  Her acting credits include the BBC production of War and Peace (2016), Sky Drama Chernobyl (2019), theatre production of Cabaret with Eddie Redmayne (2021).  And now, she plays Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet (2025) for which she has received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress (Drama), and a nomination for the Academy Award.  She lives in Norfolk, and after making the film, she had her first child.

“It’s Buckley who’s giving one of those rare turns that simply beggars belief. She swings back and forth from cast iron to porcelain. The actress is thunderous, playful, grounded and ethereal.”

~ Johnny Oleksinski, New York Post

Paul Mescal

I first wrote about Paul Mescal when he starred in Normal People in 2020:

“Paul is an Aquarian, which chimes well with Daisy’s [Daisy Edgar-Jones] Sun in Gemini.  With Moon in Cancer, he has a strong feminine side. He plays a sensitive character, with an exact Venus/Saturn conjunction in Pisces (Daisy has Venus conjunct Saturn in Aries).  And that is not where the similarity in their charts ends, for they both have Sun conjunct Mars in Air, which gives them a combined magnetism.  And they both have Jupiter unaspected, which is unusual!”

I would add that a birth time has since come to light (we don’t have one for Jessie), which gives him a Cancerian Ascendant (more affinity with females).  It highlights that relationships are a strong point for him (Jupiter opposite the Ascendant in the 7th House of Close Relationships; the Moon trines Venus indicating harmony with women).

Life and Career

Paul was born in Dublin, so both he and Jessie were born in Ireland.  His father, also named Paul, was a teacher and actor.  He attended the Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin, graduating in 2017.  Trinity College based novel “Normal People” was published by Sally Rooney in 2018, and Paul starred as leading man Connell in 2020 in the television series of the same name, a role which made Paul famous.  He missed out for an award in the Golden Globes, but has been nominated for an award for the forthcoming BAFTAs.  His next project is to play Paul McCartney in a four-part biopic about the Beatles.

Synastry

The synastry between Jessie and Paul’s birthcharts is special.  Their Chirons are exactly square, so on a higher level they can be healers to each other.  His Neptune conjuncts her Mercury, which is a supersensitive mental connection.  His Mars is conjunct her North Node, so he may act as an animus to her, especially in connection with her karmic mission.  Jessie’s Uranus/Sun conjunction  is conjunct Paul’s Jupiter, a joyful combination. But what strikes me most about their charts is that they are both specialists, with most of their planets bunched up in the signs of Capricorn and Aquarius.  Furthermore, the batches of planets run from almost exactly the same points:

Paul’s: from Jupiter at 6 degrees Capricorn to MC at 22 degrees Aquarius

Jessie’s: from Uranus 5 degrees Capricorn to the North Node at 18 degs Aquarius

That is particularly spectacular!

Paul and Daisy

In 2020 I wrote about Paul’s partnership with Daisy Edgar-Jones, also an inspiring coupledom:

“Have they got chemistry, as well as all the amazing similarities in their charts?  Wow, have they!  Daisy’s Uranus (the ability to wow) is exactly conjunct Paul’s Sun, so it is a dynamic relationship on a personality level.  Paul’s Jupiter trines exactly Daisy’s North Node, so they bring each other luck, and karmically were destined to do so.  Paul’s Uranus is conjunct Daisy’s Neptune (demanding sensitivity and stimulating intuition for them both), and his Pluto is also exactly opposite her Sun, which is lifechanging, and draws out the depths in her psychology.  Paul’s Pluto seals the deal with a sextile to Daisy’s Neptune, so they are able to give all they have got in a working partnership.”

Transits

For Hamnet’s Film Premiere in the U.K. (9/1/26) and the Golden Globes (11/1/26)

For Jessie:

Saturn sextile her natal Mercury (solidifying her mental skills)

North Node sextile her Neptune (a karmic acknowledgement of her sensitivity and empathetic acting ability)

For Paul:

Pluto sextile Paul’s Pluto (empowerment)

Chiron sextile Paul’s Midheaven (it has a healing application for his career and the way he is perceived)

Saturn transiting his Neptune in 7th House (nailing his sensitivity in relationship, and his ability to portray it)

Jupiter square his Nodal Axis (an upbeat and expansive expression of his karmic mission)

Mars on his Mercury (mental stimulation)

Bafta nominations (27/1/26

Jessie has an additional trine of Jupiter to her natal Pluto, which is very promising.

Paul has an additional sextile of Neptune to his natal Uranus, and Neptune stands tall at the top of his chart, symbolic of a possible acting accolade.

Hopefully, they will both do well in forthcoming award hand-outs.

Grief and loss are a perennial part of the human condition and life cycle, but losing children was constant in days gone by, in centuries gone by, in our past lives.  Going back to the film – Shakespeare was the master of Tragedy, and the film certainly lives up to this aspect of his work.

Aspects

There’s a Full Moon on the rise today, taking place at 12 degrees Leo.  Emotional intensity is building up. The Moon in Leo can be dramatic, and bring about power struggles, especially in groups, as it opposes the Sun in Aquarius.  But Leo is creative, and can write its own screenplay, so do your best to create your own reality your own way.

Tomorrow (Monday 2nd February) Mercury will be sextile with Chiron, and alternative healing can work well with conventional medicine – it needn’t be either/or.  So you may be making or attending appointments of this nature.  It is a positive and constructive aspect. This can also bring a satisfactory outcome in the arena of communication.  For example, something you might have been told was impossible finds a way through, and a problem may turn up with a solution.

Uranus is Stationary prior to going Direct on Tuesday (3rd), which is a good window to do all you can to alleviate any collective, tribal, or social difficulties which you can see.  Closer to home, you may see what could be done in the family setting, or in the community.   Intuition will flow better, and future vision come into view.  Although the trickster element of Uranus may still be in evidence, glimmers of hope twinkle on the horizon.

It is the turn of Venus to sextile Chiron on Wednesday (4th).  This is a congenial and healing influence, especially for relationships.  It is a good day to combine the Arts with Healing, such as creativity which involves and brings about healing.

We have a square on Thursday (5th), between Uranus and Mercury – not quite so constructive.  Be prepared for glitches, and back up your computer files (mental note to take my own advice!), while considering I.T. loopholes.  Speech may be controversial.  Use your intuition to be one step ahead – the Universe may be trying to show you new pathways, and possible new perspectives.  If you were thinking of launching Aquarian initiatives on that day, get your communications on point.

The last astrological feature of the week is an ingress of Mercury into Pisces on Friday (6th), which increases mental focus and communication around compassionate issues, such as the vulnerable, those with mental health issues, and the state of institutions, such as prisons and the NHS.  In the period of its journey through this sign compassion will be more easily shown and charity given, and it will be easier to receive ideas of creativity and inspiration.

The week in bullet points:

  • Today – emotional high tide
  • Tomorrow – mindful healing
  • Tuesday – Intuition rules OK
  • Wednesday – healing relationships and the Arts
  • Thursday – I.T. glitches
  • Friday – focus on compassion
Date: Feb 1st, 2026 · Comments RSS · Tags: Celebrities · Film · Synastry