THRILL ANELLE
Killing Eve star Jodie on how she loves playing TV’s most glamorous assassin
The return of the deliciously dark comedy thriller Killing Eve this summer will delight fans.
The game of cat and mouse and the mutual obsession between an intelligence officer and a psychopathic killer promises to be as compelling in series three.
But from a show that loves to wrong-foot its audience, here’s another surprise. Jodie Comer believes she is a little like her murderous character Villanelle.
The actress, 27, also admitted she admires the killer’s sense of humour and independence.
The Liverpudlian star said: “She may be a cold-blooded killer but you can also appreciate that her victims perhaps deserve to die.
“She doesn’t kill people randomly – there’s a reason and conviction behind her actions.
“There’s also a lot of fun in getting to play someone who lives so boldly and does so many outrageous things. I think most people are able to appreciate that about her and her mischievous side, even though she is very dangerous, of course.” Jodie, who has won an Emmy and a Bafta for the role , added: “What I think resonates with women is her honesty and unfiltered reactions to others – she lives according to her own set of rules and does as she pleases. I admire that.”
Jodie even drew paral lels between herself and the assassin.
She said: “I believe in myself and I trust in my instincts and sense of purpose.
“I’m not someone who plans things out in advance, so I rely on my faith that things will somehow work themselves out if I keep working hard and don’t let doubt or fear of what’s going to happen next creep in. I believe in karma.”
At the end of series two, Villanelle shot her love interest agent Eve Polastri and left her for dead. But a teaser trailer, released by the BBC last month, showed Eve, played Sandra Oh, is alive.
The stars are in red clothing and brandishing scalpels.
Sandra said: “We’ve become very close as the series has evolved. “It’s such an intense process shooting our scenes together and that has helped deepen the level of trust we have in each other as actors. It’s as if our own relationship is deepening the way it is between Eve and Villanelle.”
The BBC has been teasing the return of the show with images and clips. In one photo, Villanelle is in a clown costume and Eve appears to be working as a chef.
Sandra, 48, said Villanelle and Eve’s complicated relationship is key to the show’s success.
She said: “There’s a very complex k ind of psychology at work which I think intrigues people.”