Jodie Comer has never been one to play it safe. From her Emmy-winning turn as the charismatic assassin Villanelle in Killing Eve to her Tony-winning stage work, the British actress has built a career on defying expectations. Her latest project, The Death of Robin Hood, is no exception. In this gritty, R-rated reimagining, Comer plays Sister Brigid, a mysterious healer who tends to the dying outlaw (Hugh Jackman) on a remote island. It's a role that demands restraint, depth, and a willingness to explore the shadows of folklore.
A Different Kind of Robin Hood Story
Forget the merry men and Sherwood Forest. Director Michael Sarnoski's film is a bleak, brutal meditation on mortality and regret. Robin Hood, now an aging man with flowing white hair and a haunted calm, must confront the consequences of his life of theft and violence. Comer's Sister Brigid is his unlikely confidante—a woman with her own painful past and rumored healing powers. 'I loved her poise,' Comer says. 'She's an incredible observer and listener, but she's holding so much for everyone else. She can't always express her true feelings.'
The actress admits she came to the project with a surprisingly lighthearted reference point. 'I love Shrek, so my first thought was the Robin Hood song in that movie,' she laughs. 'But when I read Michael's script, I was drawn to how human and tangible it felt. This isn't the legend we know—it's a man reckoning with his life.'
From Villanelle to Sister Brigid: The Art of Transformation
Comer's ability to inhabit radically different characters has made her one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents. Yet she remains refreshingly grounded. During a recent interview in New York, she offered a reporter a bite of her muffin and chatted like an old friend. 'It's my first on-camera interview for the film, so I'm still figuring out my words,' she says with a self-deprecating smile. 'They ask you to sum up the movie in two sentences, and you're like, how?'
That authenticity extends to her creative choices. Comer says she was fascinated by Sister Brigid's contradictions—a woman who can't read or write but quotes philosophy and mythology. 'Everyone on that island is hiding something,' she explains. 'Brigid was taken in by a prioress and learned through stories. Her role is bestowed upon her, but there are little glimpses where you see her true self.'
For fans of Killing Eve, Comer's latest role may feel like a departure from Villanelle's flamboyant violence. But the actress sees a through line. 'Both characters are deeply rooted in perspective,' she says. 'They're both dealing with identity and the stories we tell ourselves.'
The Weight of a Legacy
Comer is acutely aware of the shadow cast by her most famous role. 'Villanelle changed everything for me,' she says. 'But I've always wanted to keep people guessing. That's what excites me—finding characters that feel real and messy.'
In The Death of Robin Hood, that messiness is on full display. The film doesn't shy away from violence or moral ambiguity, and Comer's performance is a masterclass in subtlety. 'There's a big revelation about Robin's connection to her past,' she teases. 'She has to transmute her pain without meeting violence with violence. It's a lot to carry.'
As for what's next, Comer remains characteristically open. 'I just want to keep surprising myself,' she says. 'If I'm bored, the audience will be bored.' With The Death of Robin Hood hitting theaters June 19, it's clear that Jodie Comer has no intention of slowing down—or playing it safe.
