Jodie Comer is a British actress who gained international fame for her role in the series Killing Eve (2018–2022). She has received numerous awards, including two BAFTA TV Awards, an Emmy Award, and a Tony Award. But how did she achieve it all, coming from a working-class background? At liverpoolski.com, we’ll discuss the actress’s success story in more detail, covering her biography and answering some frequently asked questions about the star.
The Path to Success: A Biography of Jodie Comer
Jodie Comer was born on 11 March 1993 in Liverpool. This British actress is best known for her role as the assassin Villanelle in the spy thriller Killing Eve (just one of the series linked to our city), which earned her critical acclaim and numerous awards. But a single series does not make a career; rather, it is its pinnacle. The entire story of this Liverpool actress is an example of perseverance, talent, and seized opportunities.
Jodie Comer was born to ordinary parents: her mother, Donna, worked for the Merseyrail transport company, and her father, James, was a physiotherapist for Everton Football Club. She grew up in the Liverpool suburb of Childwall, where she attended St. Julie’s Catholic High School. At the age of just 11, Jodie told her parents she wanted to be an actress and began attending a local drama studio.
Her first serious success came in 2006 when Comer performed at the Liverpool Performing Arts Festival with a monologue about the Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the lives of nearly 100 football fans. Jodie’s performance impressed the judges, and she won first place. This became a turning point: her drama teacher advised her to audition for a BBC radio play, *Tin Man* – which she did, successfully. She earned £150 for the role, which she considered a huge fee at the time!
Comer’s talent was then noticed by playwright Laurence Wilson, who arranged a photoshoot for her with Stephanie de Leng. Soon after, agent David Daly, who was interested in the young actress, immediately signed her to a contract.
Jodie’s Television Career: A Timeline
Comer began her television career in 2008 with a guest role in the medical drama *The Royal Today*. But her real breakthrough came with the comedy-drama series *My Mad Fat Diary* (2013–2015). Jodie played Chloe, a popular girl whose best friend had recently been discharged from a psychiatric hospital. Her performance in this role was simply brilliant – the British actress was already proving herself to be a star.
In 2016, Jodie Comer took the lead role in the dramatic miniseries *Thirteen*, for which she received her first BAFTA TV Award nomination. In it, she portrayed a young woman trying to return to normal life after being held captive for 13 years.
In 2017, the actress transformed into a historical figure, playing Elizabeth of York in the miniseries *The White Princess*.
In 2021, the Liverpool actress starred in the television film *Help*, where she played the role of a care home worker in Liverpool, a performance for which she also received critical praise.
Here are some other British series in which our heroine has appeared: *Holby City*, *Silent Witness*, and *Law & Order: UK*.
Worldwide Success: The Charismatic Assassin in Killing Eve
And now, once more, to the main role that brought her stunning success. It was 2018 when Jodie Comer was cast as Villanelle in *Killing Eve* – a series created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Her character was a charismatic assassin who engages in a psychological game of cat and mouse with British intelligence agent Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh).
There’s an interesting story behind her casting. Jodie received a call inviting her to an audition while she was at a music festival in Barcelona. Despite a terrible hangover, Comer embarked on a 13-hour flight to Los Angeles and, after just five minutes of a chemistry read with Sandra Oh, she landed the role. In her performance, audiences were captivated by Comer’s ability to transform into different personas, switch accents, and instantly shift her emotions from charming to menacingly cruel.
Film Career
Comer’s career has also included feature films. She managed to balance these roles with her work in television series.
In 2017, Comer made her big-screen debut in the biographical film *England Is Mine*, about the singer Morrissey. She then appeared in *Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker* (2019), playing the mother of the main character, Rey.
The talented artist faced a serious dramatic challenge in Ridley Scott’s film *The Last Duel* (2021), where she played a woman who accuses a squire of rape. In the same year, Comer took part in the comedy blockbuster *Free Guy* alongside Ryan Reynolds, playing both a video game developer and her in-game avatar.
In 2023, the actress played the lead role in the crime drama *The Bikeriders*, where she starred alongside Austin Butler and Tom Hardy. The film tells the story of a motorcycle club in 1960s Chicago.
Theatre Work
Although Comer’s main focus is film and television, she also has experience in the theatre. Her stage debut was in 2010 in the play *The Price of Everything*. However, Jodie’s real theatrical triumph came in 2022 when she performed the lead role in the play *Prima Facie* in London’s West End. It is a one-woman show about a barrister who is forced to re-examine her beliefs after her own traumatic experience. For this role, she received an Olivier Award, and in 2023, after the premiere on Broadway, she was honoured with a Tony Award.
The Secrets to Jodie Comer’s Success
Jodie Comer’s success is no accident. She was able to recognise the chances life gave her and took full advantage of them. Our heroine also brilliantly developed her strengths: emotional flexibility, a transformative ability, and a masterful command of languages and accents. Her environment also played a crucial role: the support of her family, the advice of her mentors, and collaboration with the right people. She never rested on her laurels, constantly working on herself and honing her acting skills.
In the 2020s, Jodie Comer is one of the brightest British actresses of her generation. Her career continues to develop rapidly, much to the delight of audiences. In 2025, she will star in the film *28 Years Later* – a sequel to the cult horror film *28 Days Later*.
Q&A
Here’s what people often want to know about the British actress.
How old is Jodie Comer?
Her date of birth is 11 March 1993. As of March 2025, the actress was 32 years old.
Is Jodie married?
As of early 2025, the actress is not officially married, though over the years the media have linked her to several people. She prefers not to comment on her personal life, keeping it private.
Which drama made Jodie Comer a best actress?
Her role as Villanelle in the series *Killing Eve* was her first major breakthrough in this regard. For that role, she won both a BAFTA and an Emmy Award.
What languages does Jodie Comer speak?
She is fluent in English and has an excellent ability to imitate various accents. In *Killing Eve*, the actress spoke French, Italian, Spanish, and even Russian for her role.
Has Jodie Comer ever worked as a producer?
Yes, she was an executive producer on the television film *Help* (2021).
How did Jodie Comer decide to become an actress?
It started by chance – she was kicked out of a dance group for being away on a long holiday, and it was right after this that she decided to perform the monologue about the Hillsborough disaster.
What is the main secret to the Liverpool actress’s success?
She believes and often says that the most important thing is to be truthful in every scene.
Does Jodie Comer have any interesting quotes that reflect her worldview?
For example, she believes that fear is not a weakness but a sign of growth and that it motivates you to improve.