Jodie Comer took home the top prize for a TV actress tonight. Her win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her turn in “Killing Eve” as cunning assassin Villanelle is not only her first Primetime Emmy win ever, but the actress’ first nomination as well. The BBC America series, which was up for nine Emmy Awards this year, was renewed for a third season this past April.
Jodie Comer bested her co-lead Sandra Oh, who was also up for Outstanding Lead Actress for “Killing Eve.” Comer also topped a superb lineup of nominated talent: Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”), Laura Linney (“Ozark”), Mandy Moore (“This Is Us”), Robin Wright (“House of Cards”), and Viola Davis (“How to Get Away With Murder”).
In “Killing Eve,” Comer plays the wicked killing machine whose life inextricably becomes entangled with that of Oh’s Eve. Tonight, Sandra Oh was also up for Outstanding Variety Special for the 76th Golden Globe Awards, which she co-hosted, as well as Outstanding Drama Series as a producer on “Killing Eve” and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her hilarious appearance as a host on an episode of this season’s “Saturday Night Live.”
Comer, who has played stylish assassin Villanelle for two seasons on the BBC America drama, began her speech with an emotional “I love you” to show creator and fellow Emmy winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
“I cannot believe I’m in a category alongside these women, one of them who is my co-star, Sandra Oh,” Comer said. “Sandra, safe to say … this has been a whirlwind. I’m lucky to have shared the whole experience with you.”
Comer also thanked director Damon Thomas, who has overseen seven episodes of the BBC series, for encouraging her to “take risks and above all, have fun.”
“That is what Villanelle is about,” Comer added.
