Jessie Buckley, the Irish actress who recently won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in *Hamnet*, is set to return to the British stage in a new play, *Afterbirth*, at London’s Royal Court Theatre. Despite her rising profile and reportedly commanding fees of up to £4.5 million per film, Buckley will be paid the theatre’s standard company rate of approximately £140 per day, or around £971 per week for eight performances.
David Byrne, artistic director of the Royal Court, confirmed that Buckley’s compensation aligns with the union-negotiated rate for all performers at the venue. The decision underscores the Royal Court’s appeal to high-profile actors willing to accept standard industry terms in exchange for engaging with new and innovative theatrical work. Since Byrne took over in 2024, the theatre has attracted other prominent actors such as John Lithgow, Tilda Swinton, and Gary Oldman under similar agreements.
*Afterbirth*, written by Nina Segal, is described by Byrne as a compelling play combining a “very human story” with experimental theatrical techniques. The script explores themes of birth and parenthood, featuring a blend of humor and raw, emotional content. Byrne said the play provided “a five-course meal” for actors and praised Buckley’s enthusiastic response to the material, noting that the workshop sessions with the cast produced some of the most remarkable readings he has witnessed in his two-decade career.
Buckley’s engagement with the Royal Court marks a notable contrast to the West End theatre scene, where leading performers reportedly earn upwards of £20,000 a week. Byrne remarked that Buckley showed a clear interest in returning to theatre, and he felt the role would particularly excite her artistic sensibilities.
The Royal Court, which receives approximately £2.2 million annually from Arts Council England, has experienced significant momentum under Byrne’s leadership. Recent successes include *Giant*, a play addressing Roald Dahl’s antisemitism starring John Lithgow and directed by Nicholas Hytner, which has transferred to the West End and New York and will be released in cinemas internationally. Current productions such as *Man to Man*, featuring Tilda Swinton, are touring the UK, Germany, and the US, while other works like *John Proctor Is the Villain* are set to move to the West End.
In its upcoming 2027-28 season, the Royal Court will also debut *War Face*, a new production involving the Chelsea Pensioners—retired soldiers residing at the nearby Royal Hospital Chelsea. This marks the theatre’s first collaboration with the pensioners, who will appear on stage and be paid the same rate as Buckley. Byrne highlighted the project as a unique artistic exploration connecting venerated older veterans with youthful soldiers heading into conflict, bridging generational and social perspectives through theatre.
*Afterbirth* is scheduled to run at the Royal Court in January and February 2028, continuing the theatre’s tradition of fostering original and thought-provoking new plays.