Oscar-winning actress who can command millions per film will be paid just £140 a day on the London stage

Jessie Buckley, the 36-year-old Irish actress who won Best Actress at this year's Oscars, Golden Globes and Baftas for 'Hamnet', will take home £971 a week for eight performances of 'Afterbirth' at the Royal Court Theatre — the same flat rate paid to every actor there. Industry experts estimate she can command up to £4.5m per film. The play, written by Nina Segal and directed by Maria Aberg, opens in January 2028 and explores the raw reality of new parenthood.

Royal Court artistic director David Byrne said he sensed Buckley 'had an interest in coming back to theatre' and knew what would 'excite her'.

Buckley herself became a mother in late 2025, reportedly giving her a deep personal connection to 'Afterbirth', which follows a character insisting she and her newborn are 'completely fine'.

Gary Oldman, John Lithgow and Tilda Swinton have all performed at the Royal Court for the same standard company rate in recent years.