Jodie Comer is one of the biggest names in the acting world at the moment. She has gained fame for her performances both on stage and screen. For her work, she has received two BAFTA Television Awards, one Laurence Olivier Award, one Primetime Emmy Award, and one Tony Award.
The actress has also received plenty of nominations for her roles, including nominations for a Screen Actors Guild Award, two Critics’ Choice Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. The latest project the Liverpool-born star is involved in is Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later.
The film is set in the same world as the 2002 apocalyptic horror 28 Days Later, which saw Cillian Murphy’s character awake from a coma to discover the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus has caused the breakdown of society.
Jodie will play a lead role in the zombie movie, which premieres in UK cinemas today. The 31-year-old is part of the cast alongside fellow stars, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes.
Appearing on Capital Radio yesterday, Jodie discussed the highly-anticipated movie, but also spoke about her fondness of Stephen Graham and what he has meant to her career. She said: “He’s beautiful, he has helped me out so much and he is a dear, dear, friend now.
“He gives back to the community, the city and encourages young talent. He is a beautiful, beautiful man, he is like so ridiculously talented but equally such a lovely human being. It’s lovely to have those people kind of lead by example.”
Jodie and fellow Scouse actor Stephen share a close professional relationship, with Stephen playing a key role in launching Comer’s career. Jodie impressed the Adolescent star in a 2012 BBC miniseries and recommended her to his agent. The two later co-starred together in 2021 drama ‘Help’, which was a hard-hitting show about the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2022, after winning the prestigious Best Leading Actress BAFTA for Help, Jodie vowed in her acceptance speech to thank Stephen ‘for the rest of her life’. She also expressed gratitude to Stephen when she won the Best Leading Actress BAFTA in 2019 for her role in Killing Eve.
Thanking him for his support and saying: “I want to take this moment to thank Stephen Graham. If I didn’t owe you a pint before then, I do now. Thank you for the generosity you showed me all those years ago.”
Recalling their first meeting and the development of their friendship, Jodie said: “I met Stephen for the first time 10 years ago. Stephen very kindly introduced me to his agent who then became my agent. He made that introduction out of pure kindness in order to help me get more opportunities.”
It is an exciting week for Jodie with the premiere of 28 Years Later. It will be the third film in the classic zombie horror franchise. The film marks the reunion of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, who directed and wrote the 2002 original, 28 Days Later. The two worked as executive producers on the 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later.
28 Years Later will serve as the first in a trilogy of sequel films. It was shot back-to-back with 28 Years Later II: The Bone Temple, the second film in the trilogy, directed by Nia DaCosta. In July the Childwall actress was spotted on the set of the upcoming film.
Some scenes were filmed in Northumberland and Jodie was pictured enjoying herself on set. Onlookers reported she couldn’t contain her laughter as some cast members, presumably playing Zombies, ran past her naked between takes in the Northumberland hills.
Jodie’s character, playing a human survivor in this apocalyptic world, looked battle-scarred with dirt on her face, marks on her clothes and straggly hair. She was also seen running with a young boy holding a bow and arrow in the fields, before taking shelter in a run-down petrol station.