The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has expressed its enthusiasm for the cinematic release of Hamnet, a major new film adaptation directed by Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao.
Featuring acclaimed actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, the film is based on Maggie O'Farrell's bestselling novel and explores themes of love and loss in the lives of Agnes (Anne) and William Shakespeare.
Special Screening Event Announced
To mark the UK release on 9 January 2026, the Trust will partner with Everyman Cinema for an exclusive event in Stratford-upon-Avon. The special screening will include a pre-show question and answer session with special guests, offering audiences unique insights into the Shakespeare family's story.
Rachael North, Chief Executive of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, stated: "We hope the film inspires more people to come and walk in Anne, William and Hamnet's footsteps" so they can personally experience the emotional core of their story.
Historical Connections to Shakespeare Family
Hamnet Shakespeare was the only son of William Shakespeare and Agnes (Anne Hathaway), twin to Judith. The young family would have lived in what is now known as The Birthplace, with Anne regularly visiting her former family home with her children.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage, also cared for by the Trust, provides remarkable insight into the rural life Anne would have known. The building, constructed over 500 years ago, retains much of its original structure and stands as a testament to the Shakespeare family's history.
Tragically, Hamnet died aged just eleven years old and was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on 11 August 1596.
Enduring Legacy and Regional Impact
Professor Charlotte Scott of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust noted that O'Farrell's novel and its adaptations demonstrate "the enduring fascination of Shakespeare's life" and the experiences that shaped his artistic legacy.
Martin Simms, sector lead at Production Central WM, highlighted how the film showcases the West Midlands as a source of original storytelling, adding that their new production office will help bring more such stories to screens by connecting professionals with locations like the Birthplace Trust properties.
While the film wasn't shot in Stratford-upon-Avon, it prominently features Anne Hathaway's Cottage and the landscapes that fundamentally influenced Shakespeare's work.
Further details about the special screening event at Stratford-upon-Avon's Everyman Cinema will be announced in the coming weeks.
