Jodie Comer

Biography

Jodie Comer is an award-winning English actress known for her remarkable range, captivating screen presence, and transformative roles. She gained worldwide recognition for her performance as the charismatic assassin Villanelle in the critically acclaimed series Killing Eve.

Early Life and Education

Jodie Comer was born and raised in Liverpool. Her father worked for Everton Football Club, and her mother was a transportation worker. Comer attended St Julie's Catholic High School in Woolton, where she discovered her love for acting. After performing a monologue at a school talent competition, she caught the attention of her drama teacher, who encouraged her to pursue acting professionally.

She took acting classes at a local theatre school and soon landed her first professional job, setting the stage for a successful career.

Career Beginnings (2008–2015)

Comer began acting in her mid-teens, making her television debut in a 2008 episode of The Royal Today. Over the following years, she appeared in several British TV dramas, including:

Waterloo Road (2010)

Holby City (2010)

Doctors (2012)

Silent Witness (2012)

Justice (2011)

She gradually moved on to more prominent roles, such as Chloe Gemell in the comedy-drama My Mad Fat Diary (2013–2015), where she garnered attention for her emotionally nuanced performance.

Breakthrough Roles (2016–2018)

Comer's career reached new heights with notable roles in:

Thirteen (2016) – A BBC Three miniseries where she played Ivy Moxam, a woman who escapes from captivity after 13 years. Her intense, layered performance received critical praise.

The White Princess (2017) – Played Elizabeth of York in this historical drama based on Philippa Gregory's novel, showcasing her talent in period pieces.

These performances solidified her status as one of Britain’s rising stars.

Global Stardom: Killing Eve (2018–2022)

Comer's breakout came in the BBC America series Killing Eve, created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. She starred as the unpredictable and stylish assassin Villanelle, opposite Sandra Oh’s MI6 agent, Eve Polastri.

Comer’s performance was hailed for its wit, emotional complexity, and magnetic danger. She effortlessly shifted between languages, accents, and personas, bringing charm and menace in equal measure.

Accolades for Killing Eve:

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (2019)

BAFTA TV Award for Best Leading Actress (2019)

Nominations for the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards

Villanelle became a pop culture icon, elevating Comer to international acclaim.

Film Career

While dominating TV, Comer began making waves in film:

Free Guy (2021) – Played both Millie and her avatar, Molotov Gir,l in this Ryan Reynolds-led action-comedy. The role showcased her versatility in both comedic and action scenes.

The Last Duel (2021) – Directed by Ridley Scott, Comer portrayed Marguerite de Carrouges in a historical drama based on a real-life 14th-century legal trial. Her performance was powerful and emotionally resonant, earning praise despite the film's underwhelming box office performance.

Stage Work

In 2022, Comer made her West End debut in Prima Facie, a one-woman play written by Suzie Miller. She portrayed Tessa Ensler, a barrister who experiences a personal and professional reckoning after surviving sexual assault.

The performance was widely acclaimed and marked her stage breakthrough.

Theatre Accolades:

Olivier Award for Best Actress (2023)

Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (2023) – for her Broadway performance of Prima Facie

Comer became one of the few actors to win major awards for film, television, and theatre.

Recent and Upcoming Projects

Comer continues to build a diverse and impressive body of work:

The End We Start From (2023) – A survival drama where she stars as a young mother escaping a flooded London.

The Bikeriders (2024) – Directed by Jeff Nichols, Comer stars alongside Austin Butler and Tom Hardy in a gritty drama inspired by Danny Lyon’s photography book about a 1960s Midwestern motorcycle club.

She is also attached to multiple upcoming film and television projects, often choosing roles that center on female empowerment, psychological depth, and moral ambiguity.

Acting Style and Public Image

Jodie Comer is known for:

Mastering diverse accents and dialects.

Transformational character work, often exploring morally complex women.

Understated charisma and intense emotional presence.

Despite her fame, she maintains a down-to-earth persona and values privacy. She has often spoken about her working-class roots and the importance of authenticity in her craft.

Personal Life

Comer resides in Liverpool when not working, staying connected to her family and community. She is known for being close to her parents and values their influence on her grounded outlook.

In interviews, she emphasizes the importance of mental health, preparation, and saying no to roles that don’t align with her artistic vision.