Jodie Comer wins Best Actress at last nights Olivier Awards

The Killing Eve star said she has realised what a “luxury” performing in the theatre is in comparison to film and TV.

Liverpool actress Jodie Comer is won best actress at the 2023 Olivier awards last night, April 2, for her West End debut as Tessa in Prima Facie, a one-person production by Suzie Miller, which also won the coveted best new play award.

After receiving critical acclaim for her performance at the Harold Pinter Theatre, 30-year-old Comer will be taking the play to Broadway later this month.

Ahead of the award ceremony on Sunday at the Royal Albert Hall, Jodie said:

“It’s incredible. I could never have dreamed of the response and reaction [to the play], it really does feel as though the audience has become so much a part of this as we are.

“It’s so incredibly heart-warming to be in the theatre every night and feel the presence of everyone and the energy kind of shared so I’m so excited, I feel very lucky that I’m able to revisit it.”

Jodie added:

“Yes, I’ve definitely got the bug now for sure. It’s interesting when you go back to a film set afterwards and you realise what a luxury theatre is.

“For it to be such an immediate response and also to be able to live the story every single night, you aren’t doing scene 19, then scene 2 and then scene 12.”

During her acceptance speech, Jodie said:

“I’m so overwhelmed. This play has changed my life. I am so grateful and I have so many people to thank. To Suzie Miller for writing the most exquisite play I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

“One thing I would like to say to any kids who haven’t been to drama school, who can’t afford to go to drama school, who have been rejected from drama school, don’t let anyone tell you that it isn’t possible. It might take the stars to align and you to be met with generous, kind, patient people, but it is possible.

“Mum, Dad, I love you, and my Grandad is 82 today so happy birthday.”

Comer also spoke about theatre during the cost-of-living crisis. She explained that the producer of Prima Facie created a ticket lottery to distribute tickets “where you can pay anything from £1 to £10”, stating that “he really was on this mission to make sure the play is affordable and people can come and experience it”.

For the full List of this years winners you can check out the Olivier Awards website here.

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