Killing Eve star Jodie Comer will be making her stage debut next year in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller’s award-winning play Prima Facie.
Playing at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 15 April – 18 June 2022, the one-woman play tells the story of a young criminal barrister named Tessa who defends men accused of rape. When she is assaulted, Tessa faces the same problems as the victims of her clients, including not being believed.
Jodie – who will be stepping into the role Tessa – rose to stardom after starring in BBC thriller series Killing Eve as assassin Villanelle/Oksana, for which she won the 2019 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress. Most recently, she starred in 20th Century Studios’ Free Guy and The Last Duel as well as starring alongside Stephen Graham in Help, a one-off drama show about the UK care system.
Prima Facie, a Latin term used in law meaning “at first sight” or “on first impression”, is directed by the award-winning Justin Martin, whose hit play The Jungle (A Young Vic/National Theatre co-production) is being adapted into a film for the BBC.
The hard-hitting play, which will be transferring from Australia after its debut there in 2019, has already won two of the highest honours at the Australian Writers’ Guild’s annual AWGIE Awards, winning the 2020 Major Award and the David Williamson Prize for Excellence in Writing for Australian Theatre.
Speaking of her West End debut, Jodie Comer said: “It’s such an honour to have been given the opportunity to work with Justin Martin, Suzie Miller and the whole team on this wonderfully unique play. I look forward to bringing Tessa to life and introducing her to the audiences at the Harold Pinter theatre next Spring.”
Producer James Bierman commented: “I am incredibly privileged to be able to bring Suzie’s timely and important play to the West End with such a hugely talented group of people. Jodie is one of the most brilliant actors working today and her, this play, and Justin’s team are a perfect mix.”
With Suzie Miller drawing on her own experience working as a lawyer (before becoming a playwright), we’re certain Prima Facie will be one of the most powerful and talked about shows of 2022. Be sure to grab your ticket below.