Jodie Comer reflects on her Prima Facie tour, future projects and the impact of the award-winning play

Jodie Comer has reflected on the experience of taking Suzie Miller’s solo play Prima Facie on tour across the UK and Ireland following her recognition at the UK Theatre Awards.

Speaking at the ceremony, where she was honoured for her contribution to British theatre, Comer discussed the impact of touring the production to regional venues. Reflecting on the initial announcement, Comer admitted: “I didn’t think I personally understood the magnitude when the announcement happened. I had a lot of people reaching out saying how brilliant they thought it was.”

It was during interactions with audience members outside London stage doors that the reality of bringing the production to regional locations became clear. Comer noted the significance for local theatergoers, observing: “Whether it was the affordability of them not having to travel to London and book a hotel to experience it in the local community, there were people who had disabilities who expressed their inability to be able to travel and actually how rare and special this was to have this kind of intimate experience with the production.”

The actor explained that agreeing to the regional tour was a straightforward decision once presented with the opportunity. “When I got offered this opportunity, I just go, I don’t think I’m ever going to have this chance again,” Comer said. “I felt like I had more to give the character, so it felt like a no-brainer in that sense.”

Ahead of the tour, producer James Bierman kept Comer updated on public demand, including a virtual queue of 32,000 people seeking tickets for the show’s run at the Liverpool Playhouse. Comer described her reaction: “He’d sent me a text saying that there was 32,000 people in the queue in Liverpool. And I was just like, ‘what is going on?’ That was amazing. And that was also a selfish thing for me, to be able to finish this whole experience in Liverpool with a home crowd was like the cherry on the cake.”

Beyond the theatrical production, Miller’s play has generated discussion around the handling of sexual assault cases within the legal system. Comer noted that the piece resonated with the judicial system in Northern Ireland, while also prompting personal disclosures among audience members. “It’s the little things to me of people telling me that they’ve been able to share about their assault with their family member,” Comer stated. “They might have kept it to themselves for 40 years. It’s like that to me, it is monumental. But of course, we need something much greater to assist us.”

Regarding future theatrical work, Comer expressed a desire to collaborate again with Miller and director Justin Martin. “I’d love to reunite with Suzie,” Comer said. “This whole team, Justin our director as well, I just had the most incredible experience on this. It was a very healthy, playful, supportive working environment, and that’s kind of what I’m for, that’s what I want.”

Comer also addressed her recent venture into singing on screen for a film project, the forthcoming Stuffed, describing the transition from traditional acting as a daunting undertaking. “Singing in the West End is very different to singing on film,” Comer laughed. “That was terrifying. I like a challenge and I like to be in that kind of boiling water, but that really surprised me with how fearful I was. When you’re met with the reality of what that requires from you, it was really interesting. But again, the most incredible team, beautiful experience.”

When asked about potential future projects, including a lighthearted suggestion of collaborating with musician Self Esteem (something first discussed on the Oliviers red carpet in 2022), Comer praised her work, stating: “I would love to work with Rebecca. She’s so remarkable. I think we need a Northern gal musical.”

Reflecting on her time with Prima Facie, Comer expressed her lasting connection to the production and its audiences. Speaking of the support received during the run, she concluded: “It was so lovely to feel that support from home because it felt like they innately understood her. Every fabric of her being was like, I don’t know, I just felt so held. Honestly, best experience.”