CHIC ROLE
BBC star Jodie as a talented schoolgirl with a big dream...
She is the most glamorous killer on TV – yet still lives with her mum and dad. And as our exclusive photos show, Killing Eve actress Jodie Comer has always had her eye on a showbiz career.
A decade ago the Scouser appeared in productions of Hairspray and Aladdin at St Julie’s Catholic High School where she studied alongside athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson.
In BBC drama series Killing Eve, which climaxes tonight, Jodie plays assassin Villanelle, who has a wardrobe as sharp as her eye for murder.
Jodie, 25, grew up in the Childwall suburb of Liverpool with mum Donna, dad Jimmy – who is a masseur at Everton FC – and her younger brother Charlie.
Despite finding fame as the other woman in hit drama Doctor Foster, and now winning global acclaim as Villanelle, Jodie says her parents’ semi is the place she still calls home.
She said recently: “I can’t imagine not living with my mum and dad. I like having these two worlds. I get to travel and visit cool places, but then go back to reality.”
Jodie has another reason to hotfoot it back home once filming has finished – a mystery fella.
She said: “My friends are in Liverpool, I have a boyfriend in Liverpool. He isn’t in the industry so this is an interesting job for him to understand.”
Jodie dreamt of being an actress even as a small child.
Former neighbour
Mary Hilton, 35, DANCE TEACHER JO ROBERTS ON JODIE AS A YOUNG PERFORMER recalls: “She was a really happy little girl although a bit shy. I asked her what she wanted to do when she grew up and she said ‘an actress’. It’s fantastic she’s done so well.”
Her childhood dance teacher Jo Roberts, 35, says: “As soon as Jodie started, we knew she was going to be a star. She was very quiet but determined... We are so proud of her.”
Her first paid job was a Radio 4 play. Then she had bit parts in Holby City and Waterloo Road. She went on to earn a BAFTA nomination for her role in 2016 BBC thriller Thirteen.
She beat some very hot Hollywood names to win the part in Killing Eve which has an army of fans here and was a big hit in the US.
But despite the rocketing career, it is clear that Jodie’s feet are still firmly rooted in Liverpool.
We knew that she was going to be a star. She was very quiet but determined