Noah: The one thing I learned about you, you aren’t faking the emotion at home. You wear your heart on your sleeve. Everything you feel is real. You’re not a sociopath.

Jacobi: I learned that you are actually great at Shakespeare. Your speeches were emotional. I love Shakespeare—especially A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s so magical. 

Noah: The set was magical. The scenes backstage at The Globe, which they rebuilt, felt as though we were waiting in the wings of a real Shakespeare play. 

Jacobi: I originally wasn’t going to be in that particular scene. I had filmed my parts and I was there that day for Jessie [Buckley]. Originally, my walk out in that scene was supposed to be a surprise for Jessie. So the reactions are real. 

Noah: I’d seen nothing of the rest of the film. I came late. Everyone was talking about your work, and how great you were. You’re smart, emotionally in tune, but I watched the film and you took it to another level. My expectations were high. 

Jacobi: Really? 

Noah: You’re surprised?

Jacobi: Yeah, I guess because you’re so talented. I wonder if you have to say I’m good because you’re my brother. But to hear you say that sincerely means a lot.

Noah: How do you feel watching me act? 

Jacobi: Seeing you was what made me want to act in the first place. I saw what you were doing and thought, “I want to do that.” So, I went to Mum and asked, “How do I do that?”

Noah: How do you feel about acting in general? Do you love it? Is it something you want to do forever? 

Jacobi: Yeah, I want to do it forever. This film especially made me realise that.

Noah: Who are your favourite actors? Anyone who inspired you?

Jacobi: I couldn’t really say just one. What about you?

Noah: Probably Paul Newman. Someone who can hold the screen— he’s just the most beautiful, spiritual man to watch. I remember loving every film I saw with him when I was a kid.

Jacobi: Yeah, I’m a Paul Newman fan as well. 

Noah: What’s the best film I’ve ever recommended to you?

Jacobi: Probably Fly Away Home (1996). Or maybe a Ghibli film—Spirited Away (2001) blew me away.

Noah: Growing up, our family was always around movies. We’d watch a film together and talk about it for hours afterwards.

Jacobi: Yeah! And then I’d spend days pretending to be the characters. I also loved making short stunt films—especially after we got those lightsabers at Disney World.

Noah: That was fun. We spent hours choreographing those fights. Did you practise your lightsaber skills in private too?

Jacobi: Yeah, and then it came to use in one scene with Paul [Mescal]. That was awesome. I didn’t know the camera was rolling.

Noah: What was it like working with Chloé [Zhao] as director?

Jacobi: She’s the most spiritually connected person I’ve ever met— grounded, strong, kind. She brings everyone together and makes the set feel safe.

Noah: Did you feel I was protective on set, or did you want to be left alone?

Jacobi: Sometimes I get annoyed when people try to protect me! On set, you weren’t overbearing, but at home sometimes, yes.

Noah: Our parents protected me my whole life— I’m sure they’ll do the same for you. You’re pretty independent, actually. They let you watch 15-rated films.

Jacobi: Like Die Hard (1988)—is it a Christmas film or not?

Noah: Totally. It’s become a family tradition. But what’s the most intense film you saw when you were maybe a bit too young?

Jacobi: Probably One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975). Mum showed it to me—it’s one of my favourites.

Noah: See? I would never have watched that at your age. But Jack Nicholson’s performance is incredible, right? Did that inspire you?

Jacobi: Absolutely. I was hooked.

Noah: Do you find it hard to shake off your character at the end of the day?

Jacobi: Sometimes. Usually baths help me reset. What about you?

Noah: Same. A hot bath is my ritual on every project.

Jacobi: For the film, did you draw from any other actors’ performances?

Noah: I actually avoided watching other versions of Hamlet—I wanted to bring a fresh take and stay faithful to what the script needed.

Jacobi: Did you ever get nervous taking on such a big role with so little prep?

Noah: Oh, yes. Taking over Hamlet on short notice was one of the most daunting jobs of my life.

Jacobi: Did Chloé give you any advice you’ll always remember?

Noah: Just her presence and belief in the process—that was the best advice.

Jacobi: What’s your favourite scene? Mine’s the witches’ scene.

Noah: I love the long table shot where Jessie and Paul have that fight—it’s all one take, really emotional.

Jacobi: Erm… What’s your favourite colour?

Noah: Red, probably since childhood. Yours?

Jacobi: Used to be purple, now red—because of Lightning McQueen.

Noah: Favourite food?

Jacobi: Sushi!

Noah: OK. You’re just copying me, now!

Jacobi: How about this: if you could be in any film, what would it be?

Noah: A Ghibli movie, doing an English dub—that would be a dream.

Jacobi: Our parents’ DVD collection is huge. I grew up with shelves of all the best movies.

Noah: Did you ever have a favourite toy or object?

Jacobi: It was a fuzzy rock I called Fuzzy Piggy. I had a huge imagination. Losing toys devastated me.

Noah: Do your classmates take an interest in your films?

Jacobi: It’s a mix. Some care, others just find it weird. We had a test at school where the answer to one of the questions was Shakespeare’s son’s name. Nobody believed me.

Noah: Right? People always say, “You’re so lucky,” but they don’t see the work involved.

Jacobi: Would you want to work together again?

Noah: Of course—but not in every film, Jacobi. I want us both to grow into our own space, but I’d love a real scene together someday.

Hamnet is out on 9th January.