“Killing Eve” star Jodie Comer really got into her role as stone-cold murderess Villanelle in BBC America’s new series.
“She’s the first character I’ve played that has no remorse for what she does,” says the British-born Comer, 25. “What I loved about [Villanelle’s] kills is that they’re not overly graphic. Some of the kills you see as you go along in the series are so artful; I was so excited to get new scripts to see what [Villanelle] was going to do next because it was never what you expect. It’s always a bit bizarre. I’d be lying if I didn’t say my favorite filming days were when Villanelle was going in for the kill.”
“Killing Eve” pits Villanelle against Eve Polastri (ex-“Grey’s Anatomy” star Sandra Oh), a mid-level (American) M15 agent based in London whose job is to protect murder witnesses. Events find Eve thrown into a cat-and-mouse game with Villanelle, who’s real identity is unknown but who’s suspected in a string of “untraceable and highly skilled” killings (politicians, mobsters) dating back two years and spanning 10 countries. (Her signature method of dispatch is an ornate — and very sharp — hairpin.)
The series was created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“Fleabag”) — it’s based on the “Villanelle” novellas by Luke Jennings — and is laden with comic relief and offbeat dialogue; BBC America has already renewed “Killing Eve” for a second season ahead of Sunday night’s premiere.
“What struck me was the writing,” says Comer, best known to US audiences as Elizabeth of York in “White Princess” (Starz). “Phoebe stressed to me that she didn’t want Villanelle to be your stereotypical assassin. I feel there’s a lot of humanity in her. She makes me laugh. Sometimes she gets it wrong. She’s not relatable in all senses, but I do feel that sometimes you understand her or laugh at her.
“There’s a lot of humor in the whole [series] that I thought was quite refreshing.”
Her role as Villanelle requires Comer to speak several languages, including French and Italian, which she learned with the help of voice coach Paula Jack. “I don’t speak any other languages, which I’m kind of ashamed about, actually,” says Comer. “That was a huge challenge. The way I learned for myself was I kind of rewrote the words how they sounded to me; that seemed the best way.
“When we filmed in Tuscany, I had a whole Italian crew there to help me. I said, ‘Guys, if I say anything that doesn’t sound right, or if I’m pronouncing it wrong, let me know,’ and they did. The French was the hardest, especially because some of the actors I was acting opposite were French. I thought, ‘Oh God, I’m probably doing this language no justice.’ I’d be lying if I said there weren’t a million outtakes of me getting the languages wrong.
“They did a brilliant job with the editing.”
Comer says that, throughout this first season, viewers will see some cracks begin to appear in Villanelle’s psychotic armor.
“I feel like she loses control a little bit,” she says. “The narcissist in her is just so overwhelmed and flattered and wants to seek this woman [Eve] out and find out who she is. If anything, she becomes very intrigued by Eve — I don’t know what it is they’re seeking out in each other, but there’s definitely a connection between the two that’s drawing each other in.”
“Killing Eve” Series premiere 8 p.m. Sunday on BBC America