- Shakespeare Birthplace Trust welcomes the theatrical release of the Chloé Zhao directed Hamnet in the US this Thanksgiving ahead of its UK release on 9 January 2026.
- Based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell the film explores the impact of the tragic death of Hamnet, the son of Agnes and William Shakespeare.
- The film shines a light on Anne Hathaway’s Cottage bringing the family story of love and loss to life.
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust welcomes the cinematic release of Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao in the US for Thanksgiving (27 November). Starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell, the film explores love and loss in the lives of Agnes (Anne) and William Shakespeare and the enduring attention to grief in Shakespeare’s art.
To celebrate the UK release on 9 January 2026, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust will join forces with Everyman Cinema for a special Hamnet event including film screening and a pre-screening Q&A with special guests. This event will take place at the Stratford-upon-Avon Everyman Cinema.
Hamnet Shakespeare, twin to Judith, was the only son of William Shakespeare and Agnes (Anne Hathaway). Whilst the young couple would have lived with Shakespeare’s parents, at what is now known as The Birthplace, Anne would have no doubt taken her young children to her former family home, and the surrounding landscape in which she grew up. Also owned by the Trust, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, offers a remarkable insight into the rural life of the young Anne. Hamnet tragically died aged 11 years and was buried in the churchyard at Holy Trinity in Stratford-upon-Avon on 11 August 1596.
Rachael North, Chief Executive of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said: “We hope the film inspires more people to come and walk in Anne (or Agnes), William and Hamnet’s footsteps so they can experience first-hand the love and loss that is at the heart of their story. Maggie O’Farrell herself was inspired by visiting The Birthplace and exploring the family’s personal story and we hope our buildings offer all our visitors’ moments which are inspiring and revelatory.
“As well as bringing to life the stories of the Shakespeare family, the film brings the cottage to life as historical building which has stood for centuries and of which we are all proud custodians. The cottage, and the story of Hamnet, give us the human side of Shakespeare, Anne and their own family, and it will be wonderful to see that play out on the big screen.”
Professor Charlotte Scott, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said: “Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, and its subsequent adaptation for stage and film, demonstrates the enduring fascination of Shakespeare’s life and the real and imagined experiences that influenced his future and his art.”
Whilst not filmed in Stratford, the film shines a light on Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, built more than 500 years ago with much of the original building surviving. Hamnet reimagines the families, landscapes and influences of home that became so fundamental to Shakespeare’s work.
Martin Simms, sector lead at Production Central WM, said: “Chloé Zhao’s brilliant new adaptation of Hamnet – a novel inspired by the life of our region’s most famous son, William Shakespeare – is another example of how original storytelling starts in the West Midlands. Our new dedicated film production office, Production Central WM, will help to bring more inspiring stories like Hamnet to life on the big and small screens by connecting industry professionals with the West Midlands’ diverse locations like the Birthplace Trust, as well as state-of-the-art facilities and top creative talent.”
To find out more about Hamnet, his short life and influence, as well as the places and spaces managed by Shakespeare Birthplace Trust visit: www.shakespeare.org.uk
Hamnet is a 2025 historical drama film co-edited and directed by Chloé Zhao, who co-wrote the screenplay with Maggie O'Farrell, based on the 2020 novel by O'Farrell. A Universal Pictures film, Hamnet is released in the UK on 9 January 2026.
For further details on the Everyman Cinema and Shakespeare Birthplace Trust special screening event will be announced in the coming weeks.
ENDS
For further information contact Helen Annetts, PR on behalf of Shakespeare Birthplace Trust on 07779 026720 or email [email protected]
