Podcast Summary: The New Yorker Radio Hour
Episode: Chloé Zhao on “Hamnet,” Which Is Nominated for Eight Academy Awards
Date: March 15, 2026
Host: Michael Shulman (for this episode)
Guest: Chloé Zhao

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth interview with acclaimed director Chloé Zhao, whose latest film “Hamnet” has received eight Academy Award nominations. The film, based on Maggie O'Farrell’s novel, explores the life of William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway as they endure the tragic loss of their son. Zhao discusses her creative process, her unique connection to the project, her approach to adaptation and natural environments, and her experiences as a neurodivergent filmmaker navigating Hollywood.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

How Zhao Came to “Hamnet”

• Project Invitation ([02:37]): Zhao was first introduced to “Hamnet” by Spielberg’s production company, Amblin, during a drive to the Telluride Film Festival. Initially, she hesitated:

  "I just thought, there's so many things in that sentence that I have no personal connection to. So I said no." – Chloé Zhao [02:51]

• Meeting Paul Mescal ([03:26]): After meeting actor Paul Mescal by a creek, she reconsidered after his enthusiasm for the book:

  “There's a simmering discomfort in him. Like an animal, you know, like a Steppenwolf, just want to burst out. And that's why he creates.” – Chloé Zhao [03:27] “I asked him, would you ever consider playing young Shakespeare? And he said, wait, are you talking about Hamnet? I love the book so much. You have to read the book.” – Chloé Zhao [03:38]

What Drew Zhao to the Novel

• Internal Landscape ([04:15]): Zhao was attracted by Maggie O’Farrell’s vivid portrayal of characters’ internal lives:

  “The internal landscape was so beautifully described…Maggie already done that work for all the characters. So I thought that’s my blueprint, you know?” – Chloé Zhao [04:15]

• Creative Resonance ([04:37]): She found a kinship in O’Farrell’s writing rhythm, noting both are inspired by Wong Kar Wai.

Shooting Landscape and Nature’s Role

• Nature as a Character ([05:52-08:49]):
  • Zhao’s films frequently feature natural landscapes, which she links to her own fear of death and search for embodied spirituality:

    “I have always had a deep fear of death. And I think that drives my creativity…if you have a relationship with nature, then you develop a very embodied spirituality...” – Chloé Zhao [06:01]

  • Experience filming in the forests of Wales:

    “In the forest, it’s the opposite of the plains. And the forest is deeply feminine and it makes you stay still. And when you stay still, you have nowhere to go but into the underworld and into yourself...” – Chloé Zhao [07:13] “We consider nature a department head, is constantly working with us.” – Chloé Zhao [08:05]

Reimagining Shakespeare

• Portraying William Shakespeare ([08:49-12:54]):

  • The film’s Shakespeare, played by Paul Mescal, is brooding and quiet, diverging from the traditional, wordy portrayal.
  • Zhao relates this approach to her own upbringing:

    “A lot of artists, male artists get into expressing themselves in their arts because they never felt safe to express their emotions in real life… I was raised by a man like that. I’ve loved and been loved by men like that my whole life.” – Chloé Zhao [11:23]

  • The team focused on finding the character in the moment rather than laying out everything in advance.

• “To be or not to be” Scene ([12:54]):

  “That’s also pressure on Paul.” – Chloé Zhao [12:59]

Language and Performance

• Zhao’s Relationship with Shakespeare’s Language ([13:03-14:41]):
  • Arriving at Shakespeare as a non-native English speaker, Zhao only understands a portion of the language’s literal meaning, but feels its emotional impact:

    “Paul has said to me…if Shakespeare is performed right, you don’t have to understand what they’re saying. You feel it in the body. The language is written like that.” – Chloé Zhao [13:38] “In a way we kind of embody Agnes, who doesn’t quite understand everything, but we feel it.” – Chloé Zhao [14:15]

On IP, Manga, and Adaptation in Hollywood

• Adapting IP and Fitting into the Industry ([16:36-21:03]):
  • Zhao recognizes the prevalence of IP-driven projects and shares her excitement about launching Kodansha Studios, which will adapt iconic manga for live action:

    “We just teamed up with them to launch Kodansha Studios, which means that we will be developing live action adaptations of their IP in house before it goes to the studios.” – Chloé Zhao [17:49]

  • She explains differences between manga and Western comics:

    “Manga is heavily influenced by Shintoism… believing that every object has a spirit.” – Chloé Zhao [18:28]

  • On being a bridge between cultures and supporting healthy adaptations:

    “I’ve always dreamt to be a bridge between the east and the west…to create a safe and nurturing garden…allow the artists to really see each other.” – Chloé Zhao [19:12]

  • Embraces adaptation and fan culture:

    “I started my writing career as a fan fiction writer in China. A pretty well-known one too. But you never know because I will never share with you my pen name.” – Chloé Zhao [20:14]

  • Rethinks “originality”:

    “The word original is misunderstood…origo means the source…So original actually means going back to the source.” – Chloé Zhao [20:32] “I don’t mind working with IP, it’s just how we do it. Needs to be healthier, more wholesome.” – Chloé Zhao [20:59]

Neurodivergence and the Director’s Life

• Being a Neurodivergent Director ([21:03-23:34]):
  • Zhao describes her recent diagnosis and its impact:

    “I didn’t have my official diagnosis until this year. So in the past I always wondered, maybe I’m just built wrong.” – Chloé Zhao [21:36] “I feel a lot of shame around why can’t I enjoy it…then once I have some language around it, it’s very empowering.” – Chloé Zhao [21:53]

  • She highlights neurodivergent traits that aid her direction (sensitivity, intuition, pattern recognition), as well as her need to process stimuli and the overwhelm she can experience.
  • Sensory sensitivities:

    “A really strong perfume gave me a shutdown.” – Chloé Zhao [23:11]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The forest is deeply feminine and it makes you stay still. And when you stay still, you have nowhere to go but into the underworld and into yourself, where all your shadows are.” – Chloé Zhao [07:13]
• “If Shakespeare is performed right, you don’t have to understand what they’re saying. You feel it in the body. The language is written like that.” – Chloé Zhao [13:38]
• “I started my writing career as a fan fiction writer in China. A pretty well known one too. But you never know because I will never share with you my pen name.” – Chloé Zhao [20:14]
• “Original actually means going back to the source. Yeah, but our modern culture is so obsessed with new things. Must have new things. It’s a very masculine dominated way of looking at the world. Must have new things all the time. But nature, everything goes back to the source.” – Chloé Zhao [20:32]
• “I can watch people and find patterns and then I can pretty much predict what they’re going to do in a scene…my brain takes in so much more information than the person next to me. So I need time to process that information. And if I don’t process it and more are coming in, then I could shut down.” – Chloé Zhao [22:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Chloé Zhao joins the project & meets Paul Mescal: 02:33–04:05
• Drawn to the novel’s internal landscape & creative influences: 04:05–05:10
• Filming nature, personal connection to death & spirituality: 05:52–08:49
• Portraying Shakespeare, reframing male artists’ emotionality: 08:49–12:54
• Language barriers and the embodied power of Shakespeare: 13:03–14:41
• Adapting IP, manga, Kodansha Studios: 16:36–21:03
• Neurodivergence on set and in life: 21:03–23:34

Closing Thoughts

Chloé Zhao’s conversation provides a candid view into her distinct artistic philosophy, her evolution as a filmmaker, and her navigation of mainstream and adapted storytelling. Through “Hamnet,” Zhao continues to blend natural beauty, emotional truth, and a refreshingly personal lens on both history and contemporary creative challenges.