Awards season special: Jodie hits the red carpet, plus all the glitz, gossip and gowns
HITS THE RED CARPET - and plots a glittering year ahead
there are few things that can help us limp through these most depressing months, but one of them is surely awards season. This year, as it all kicks off with the Golden Globes on 5 January, which celebrate TV as well as film, Jodie Comer is demanding attention – and a Best Actress nomination – for her role in Killing Eve. And this is just the start of what is sure to be an exciting and lucrative year for the Liverpudlian.
Killing Eve has been a sensation, with the BBC revealing that the second series was its most viewed programme of 2019 on iplayer, with more than 40 million streams and downloads. So popular was it that series one still ranks as the fifth most viewed overall, and the BBC has commissioned a fourth series, even before the third hits our screens. Details on plot are scarce, but British writer Suzanne Heathcote will take over from series two’s Emerald Fennell, and we know that
Game Of Thrones’ Gemma Whelan will join the cast. Owen Mcdonnell, who plays Eve’s husband Niko, has confirmed that his character will be back and, despite being shot by Villanelle at the end of season two, Sandra Oh will return as Eve (phew!). The success of the show, and Jodie’s incredible performance as a (stylish) psychopathic killer, means she is likely to be back on Emmy and BAFTA red carpets in 2020. But she also has her sights set on new horizons: this time next year, she could be on track for an Oscar.
Jodie, 26, has been cast in The Last Duel, a historical drama directed by four-time Oscar nominee Ridley Scott, written by and co-starring Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Based on a true story, it’s set in the 14th century and already being touted as an Oscar contender, thanks to its team.
‘The Last Duel’s studio, Fox, has Oscars in their sights,’ a film insider tells Grazia, ‘and Jodie is categorically part of their plan. They’ll be pushing hard for a nomination.’ They are expected to propose her for Best Supporting Actress. ‘The Academy loves rewarding bright new faces in this category. So Jodie stands a real chance.’
She is ready for the challenge. ‘Jodie feels much more confident going into 2020 awards season, because she feels like she’s had more experience now,’ a source says. ‘She isn’t the newbie any more, and doesn’t feel so shocked by the fact she’s even there. She’s growing into her success and is hoping she can enjoy it all a bit more this year.’
Jodie and her team have been careful in their post-killing Eve choices, with a brief but impactful cameo in the latest Star Wars blockbuster and action film Free Guy with Ryan Reynolds (out in July) her first forays into film. The Last Duel, though, is her first proper drama and her chance to show what she can do on the big screen. ‘She’s not going to disappear into the background,’ a source says. ‘Playing the wife is not always a substantial part, but Jodie will be determined to make an impression.’
‘It’s a meaty role, full of anguish, but it also feels timely,’ the source adds. It may be set in the 14th century, but it centres on a woman accusing a powerful man of raping her, and the resulting fall-out. The campaign will, the source says, ‘make sure this #Metoo message is centre stage: voters like relevance.’
The Hollywood machine, however, will ensure that Jodie and the film make success as certain as possible. The scheduling of the release – a limited debut on Christmas Day with a wider release in January – is a sure sign of their intention to make an impact in the weeks that shortlists are decided. This year, for example, front-runners Bombshell, Little Women, The Irishman and Marriage Story were all launched in similar windows.
Before the film hits cinemas, though, Jodie and the cast will have been working hard to support the project, as part of a campaign that could cost millions. ‘There will be meetings with key industry press to ensure interest is at its peak,’ a source says. ‘Jodie will be expected to be on-hand at private events to meet with members of the Academy.’ Moonlight hosted seven or eight such events and went on to win Best Picture in 2017. ‘The aim is to make voters feel special and to get them to like you personally.’ This is, an insider explains, less of an issue for men. ‘Actors are allowed to be the “pained artist” – look at Casey Affleck or Joaquin Phoenix – but women don’t win Oscars unless they’re liked, so she will be expected to be her funny, down-to-earth self.’
With such a packed schedule, there will be little time for dating – not that she cares. ‘Men are scared of me,’ Jodie has joked, blaming the fact that she’s most famous as a serial killer, but she does not consider it a priority. ‘Her focus is her career,’ a source says.
Still, grazia understands that Killing Eve’s fourth season is expected to be its last, as its stars look to other projects. And, Oscar or no Oscar, Jodie’s future is bright.