If you’ve been paying any attention to the awards season chatter lately, you’ve probably heard one name popping up more than most: Jacobi Jupe. Honestly, it’s wild how fast this kid has gone from "that cute kid in the Disney movie" to a genuine, award-winning powerhouse.
Most people first caught a glimpse of him as Michael Darling in Peter Pan & Wendy, clutching that teddy bear. But fast forward to 2026, and he’s no longer just a supporting player in a fairy tale. He’s currently sweeping up trophies for his performance in Hamnet and has managed to land a lead role in the next big horror reboot from Mike Flanagan.
It’s rare to see a child actor with this much range. Usually, they’re either "the precocious one" or "the scared one." Jacobi? He’s basically out-acting the adults.
The Breakthrough: Why Hamnet Changed Everything
Let’s talk about Hamnet. This movie is why Jacobi Jupe movies and tv shows are suddenly trending on every search engine. Directed by Chloé Zhao, the film is a brutal, beautiful look at William Shakespeare’s family and the death of his 11-year-old son.
Jacobi plays the titular Hamnet, and he isn't alone on screen—he actually stars alongside his real-life older brother, Noah Jupe (who you definitely know from A Quiet Place). Noah plays the older version of Hamlet in the play-within-the-movie, which is a pretty cool piece of meta-casting.
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- The Astra Awards: Jacobi recently won Best Young Performer at the 2026 Astra Film Awards.
- The Critics' Choice: He snagged a nomination for Best Young Actor, going toe-to-toe with performers much older than him.
- The Performance: There’s a specific scene where he’s sick in bed—it’s visceral. Critics have compared it to the intensity of The Witch, and it’s basically what convinced the industry he’s the real deal.
People often assume child actors just "show up and be themselves," but the nuance Jacobi brings to a 16th-century setting is legit. He’s not just playing a kid; he’s playing the catalyst for the greatest play ever written.
Jacobi Jupe Movies and TV Shows: A Growing Resume
Before he was winning Astras, Jacobi was putting in the work on some pretty diverse projects. It’s a mix of prestige TV and big-budget streaming.
His TV debut was actually in the series Britannia, where he played Cyrus for a decent eight-episode run. If you missed that, you might have caught him as the younger version of the lead in Tom Jones. He has this knack for period pieces—maybe it’s the hair, or just a face that looks like it belongs in the 1700s.
Then came Before on Apple TV+. This was a big pivot. Working with Billy Crystal, Jacobi played Noah, a troubled young boy with a haunting connection to a psychiatrist. It was creepy, psychological, and proved he could handle heavy dialogue-driven scenes without breaking a sweat.
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What's coming next?
The industry isn't letting him slow down. As of right now, he’s wrapped a project called Victorian Psycho where he plays a character named Andrew. But the one everyone is actually losing their minds over is the new Exorcist movie.
Mike Flanagan—the guy behind Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House—cast Jacobi to star alongside Scarlett Johansson. Word on the street is he’s playing her son, and if Flanagan’s track record is anything to go by, it’s going to be terrifying. Considering how well Jacobi did "sick and suffering" in Hamnet, he’s probably going to crush a possession role.
The Family Business: More Than Just Noah’s Brother
It’s easy to look at Jacobi and say, "Oh, he’s just following Noah Jupe." And yeah, having a brother who’s already a Hollywood staple helps. But the talent in that family actually goes back further.
Their mom is Katy Cavanagh, who spent years on Coronation Street. Their dad, Chris Jupe, is a filmmaker. They aren't just "industry kids" in the sense of being famous for being famous; they grew up on sets.
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What’s interesting is how Jacobi is carving out a different path. While Noah became the face of modern survival horror, Jacobi is leaning into these heavy, atmospheric dramas and "elevated" horror.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Industry Watchers
If you’re trying to keep up with his career, there are a few things to keep an eye on over the next year:
- Watch "Hamnet" Immediately: It’s currently the peak of his career and the best indicator of why he’s being cast in everything.
- The Exorcist Release: This will be his first true "leading man" (well, leading boy) role in a massive studio horror film. It’ll determine if he can carry a blockbuster.
- The Awards Circuit: Keep an eye on the 2026 BAFTAs. Since he’s British, he’s a heavy favorite for the Rising Star or Young Performer categories there.
To stay updated, following trade publications like The Hollywood Reporter or Variety is better than just hitting social media. His team seems to be picking roles very carefully—choosing directors like Zhao and Flanagan over random sitcoms—which suggests they are playing the long game for a serious, adult acting career.