Hit BBC spy thriller Killing Eve has triumphed at the TV Baftas, with its star Jodie Comer shedding tears as she was named best actress. Comer, who plays assassin Villanelle in the hit thriller, shook off her cold, screen alter-ego to turn on the “waterworks” on stage at the Royal Festival Hall last night. She beat co-star Sandra Oh – who plays the operative on a mission to catch her – to the gong. “Thank you so much,” Comer said. “Sorry I’m the only one who’s turned on the waterworks.” She dedicated the award to her grandmother, saying: “Nana Frances sadly passed away on the first week of filming. “She never got to see Villanelle, the life and soul of everything. She’d say ‘you get it off me you know’. I want to say ‘Nana Frances, you were absolutely right all along’.” Comer, who revealed she spent years as a child watching the Baftas in her bedroom, also paid tribute to the show’s creator. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, as well as Line Of Duty’s Stephen Graham, a fellow Liverpudlian. Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series Show all 11 1 /11 Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series Jodie Comer (Villanelle) Jodie Comer has wowed fans as everyone’s favourite assassin Villanelle and it’s not the first time she’s taken on a challenging role. She starred as abducted teenager Ivy Moxam in the BBC series Thirteen (2016) and played a 23-year-old mistress in Doctor Foster (2015-17). She’s set to join a star-studded cast in action-comedy Free Guy and will be directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh in Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile (both in 2020). Getty Images for BBCAmerica Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series Sandra Oh (Eve Polastri) Before she joined MI5 (and later MI6) as Eve Polastri, Sandra Oh was best known for playing Dr Cristina Yang in Grey’s Anatomy (2005-14). She had a smaller role as Vice Principal Gupta in teen flick The Princess Diaries (2001), and voiced Hiko Yoshida and Katie in American Dad! (2005-13). Oh’s next project will see her working alongside Seth Rogan in Amazon’s animated series, Invincible (2020). Getty Images for AMC Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series Fiona Shaw (Carolyn Martens) Fiona Shaw was killing it on screen long before she starred as MI6 boss Carolyn Martens. The Irish actor was cast in the 1998 version of The Avengers and played Petunia Dursley in five of the eight Harry Potter films. She also had a cameo in the second series of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s other TV success story Fleabag (2019). Shaw is currently filming the drama Ammonite, which stars Saoirse Ronan and Kate Winslet, and is due for release in 2020 (US). Getty Images Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series Kim Bodnia (Konstantin) Against the odds, it looks like Kim Bodnia's character Konstantin has made it to series two of Killing Eve. Villanelle’s cool and collected handler starred in a number of foreign-language films and TV shows before Waller-Bridge’s series, including Danish crime drama The Bridge (2011-18). He has finished filming After the Harvest II, which is yet to announce a release date. Getty Images Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series Sean Delaney (Kenny Stowton) RADA graduate Sean Delaney is new on the acting scene. Prior to landing a role as an MI6 computer whiz in Killing Eve, Delaney starred in the daytime mystery drama Midsomer Murders (2016). Twitter Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Elena Felton) Killing Eve has put Kirby Howell-Baptiste on the map. She previously landed a number of smaller roles in shows such as the Netflix series Love (2016-18) and House of Lies (2015), which also stars Kristen Bell. She now has credits including the HBO crime comedy Barry (2018) and The Good Place (2018-19), and she is set to star in the Veronica Mars reboot (2019). Getty Images for The Critics' Ch Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series David Haig (Bill Pargrave) We were all shouting at our screens when Bill Pargrave met his sorry end in Killing Eve. Fans of actor David Haig need not fear – they can also see him as short-tempered spin doctor Steve Fleming in The Thick of It as well the much-loved Richard Curtis romcom Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994). Haig will next appear in the forthcoming adaptation of TV series Downton Abbey, due for release September 2019. Getty Images Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series Darren Boyd (Frank Haleton) It’s hard to forget Frank’s sticky end in Killing Eve – sorry to remind you. Prior to his stint as an MI5 boss, Darren Boyd enjoyed a number of cameo roles in well-known films such as Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016) and The World’s End (2013). He also starred in medical drama Green Wing (2006) and satirical dark comedy Four Lions (2010), which follows four incompetent British terrorists. He recently made an appearance in the Anna Paquin comedy series Flack (2019). Getty Images Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series Owen McDonnell (Niko Polastri) Irish actor Owen McDonnell, who plays Eve's less-exciting relationship prospect, has previously appeared in small roles in big British shows such as Spooks (2009) and Silent Witness (2014). He also starred as Michael Coyne in the BBC series My Mother and Other Strangers in 2016. BBC America Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series Edward Bluemel (Hugo) Before the second season of Killing Eve, new kid on the block Edward Bluemel has appeared in war drama The Halcyon (2017), A Discovery of Witches (2018) and successful Netflix comedy Sex Education (2019). He has also been cast in the comedy How to Build a Girl, based on the novel by Caitlin Moran. It is due for release in the US in 2019. Getty Images Killing Eve: Meet the cast of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s killer TV series Nina Sosanya (Jess) A new face for season two, Nina Sosanya is most recognisable for playing the prime minister’s chief of staff Annie in Love Actually (2003). She was also a star of the BBC series Last Tango in Halifax (2012-15) and has made appearances on shows such as Silent Witness, Vera (both 2012) and Marcella (2016). She has been cast in the fantasy series Good Omens, alongside David Tennant, due for release in May 2019. Getty Images “If I didn’t owe you a pint before I definitely do now,” she said. “Thank you for the generosity you showed me all those years ago.” Killing Eve also won best drama series, beating another BBC hit, Bodyguard. Waller-Bridge said: “I can’t speak, it’s so unbelievably exciting. Thanks for everyone for taking risks. Jodie Comer almost swallowed a wasp in Tuscany.” Another member of the Killing Eve cast, Fiona Shaw, won best supporting actress, beating Billie Piper, Keeley Hawes and Monica Dolan. Benedict Cumberbatch won best actor for ‘Patrick Melrose’ (EPA) The show went into the awards leading the nominations, but not without controversy. Bafta’s rules say a programme must have premiered in the UK to be eligible, but Killing Eve first aired in the US on BBC America before coming to the UK. However, the awards’ organisers bent the rules and allowed it to be nominated in recognition of its success and popularity.y. Jed Mercurio’s Bodyguard had been Killing Eve’s main opposition, but it had to make do with one gong – the only award voted for by viewers – Virgin Media’s must-see moment. It claimed the prize for the death of Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes) in an explosion in the BBC One drama. Benedict Cumberbatch won the leading actor award for his role as Patrick Melrose in the Sky Atlantic drama of the same name. The actor told the audience: “Oh gosh, I think I’m going to fall over, I’m very used to being a bridesmaid not the bride.<doc-sep>"It has been a long journey, and along the way I've had the encouragement and professional support of many, many women, making their own bid to [have] as much a chance as men. And possibly earn as much. That would be nice."<doc-sep>BBC America drama “Killing Eve” was the biggest winner Sunday at BAFTA’s British Academy Television Awards, which were handed out at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The hit show took home three trophies, for best drama series, best actress for Jodie Comer and best supporting actress for Fiona Shaw. The first award of the night saw Sky Atlantic and Showtime’s “Patrick Melrose” beat out strong competition from “A Very English Scandal” to take home the prize for best miniseries. Benedict Cumberbatch claimed the best leading actor prize for his performance in the show, beating competition including Hugh Grant in “A Very English Scandal.” “I’m very used to being the bridesmaid,” said Cumberbatch, who won the award from his seventh BAFTA TV Award nomination. The actor thanked author Edward St. Aubyn for his “wit and courage.” Grant’s co-star, Ben Whishaw, repeated his Golden Globe success by winning the best supporting actor BAFTA for “A Very English Scandal.” It marks the actor’s second BAFTA TV Award after winning leading actor in 2013 for “The Hollow Crown: Richard II.” Director Stephen Frears collected the award on Whishaw’s behalf, as the actor is currently starring off-Broadway in “Norma Jeane Baker of Troy.” “Killing Eve” won its first award of the night when Shaw took home the best supporting actress award. It was her first BAFTA nomination and win. Shaw said that, since she had taken on the role, “people have started to suspect I am a spy.” Comer’s win in the leading actress category came at the expense of “Killing Eve” co-star Sandra Oh, who was also nominated, alongside Ruth Wilson for “Mrs. Wilson” and Keeley Hawes for “Bodyguard.” It was Comer’s first BAFTA, having previously been nominated two year’s ago in the same category for BBC crime drama “Thirteen.” HBO drama “Succession” won the international category, beating out competition including last year’s winner “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The awards were hosted by Graham Norton, himself a five-time BAFTA TV Award winner. Norton returned to hosting duties after a two-year hiatus. It marked his 11th time hosting, having first taken the helm in 2005. “Killing Eve” and “A Very English Scandal” scored the most nominations with 14 and 12, respectively, across both the TV and TV Craft Awards. The BAFTA TV Craft Awards were awarded April 28 and saw “A Very English Scandal” win three, including best director for Stephen Frears. “Killing Eve” and “Patrick Melrose” both won two BAFTA Craft Awards. Despite being commissioned out of the U.S. by BBC America, “Killing Eve” was given special dispensation to qualify across all major categories rather than being restricted to the international category. It was deemed eligible due to its U.K. writers, producers and talent. Full winners list: Drama series: “Killing Eve” International: “Succession” Miniseries: “A Very English Scandal” Leading actress: Jodie Comer – “Killing Eve” Leading actor: Benedict Cumberbatch – “Patrick Melrose” Supporting actress Fiona Shaw, “Killing Eve” Supporting actor: Ben Whishaw – “A Very English Scandal” Scripted comedy: “Sally4Ever” Female performance in a comedy program: Jessica Hynes – “There She Goes” Male performance in a comedy program: Steve Pemberton – “Inside No. 9” Single drama: “Killed By My Debt” Single documentary: “Gun No. 6” Comedy entertainment program: “A League Of Their Own” Entertainment performance: Lee Mack – “Would I Lie To You?” Entertainment program: “Britain’s Got Talent” Specialist factual: “Suffragettes With Lucy Worsley” Reality & constructed factual: “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here” Factual series: “Louis Theroux’s Altered States” Features: “Who Do You Think You Are?” Current affairs: “Myanmar’s Killing Fields (Dispatches)” Live event: “The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance” News coverage: “Cambridge Analytica Uncovered” – ITN/Channel 4 Short form program: “Missed Call” Soap & continuing drama: “Eastenders” Sport: “2018 World Cup Quarter Final: England v Sweden” Virgin TV’s must-see moment (voted for by the public) “Bodyguard” BAFTA Fellowship (previously announced) Joan Bakewell Special award (previously announced) Nicola Shindler<doc-sep>
Killing Eve came out on top at the 2019 British Academy Television Awards, winning best drama series, best leading actress for Jodie Comer, and best supporting actress for Fiona Shaw after seeing off competition from Patrick Melrose, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and the Jed Mercurio drama Bodyguard. Comer, who plays the Russian assassin Villanelle in the programme, struggled to hold back tears after she beat co-star Sandra Oh to win the award. “I’ve watched the Baftas for many many years on my own in my bedroom,” said Comer. “It’s just the dream and I’m very emotional, I did blub the whole way through it.” Shaw praised Phoebe Waller-Bridge – who wrote Killing Eve’s first series – for bringing the show to life thanks to her “glass-shattering genius and wayward imagination”. The actor said she was initially unsure whether the show would be a success when she first read the script: “As I turned each page I was laughing. I wasn’t sure if it was something that could be amazing under the radar and five people in London would enjoy it, but I was laughing.” Killing Eve star Jodie Comer accepts her award. Photograph: James Veysey/Bafta/Rex/Shutterstock Instead it took a meeting with the show’s writer to convince her to sign up: “I had the most delightful lunch with Phoebe Waller-Bridge and at the end of it I was hers for life. And I still am.” Killing Eve’s inclusion in the awards was controversial, since the programme was originally commissioned by the US network BBC America, meaning that despite its British creators the programme should not have been eligible for several categories. However, the organisers bent the rules and allowed it to be nominated in order to recognise its success and popularity. The programme’s second series has already been shown in the US, with Shaw suggesting that the BBC would release it in the UK imminently. Despite a number of nominations, Bodyguard only took home one award. It won the must-see moment prize, the only category voted for by members of the public, for the scene where Keeley Hawes’ character Julia Montague is assassinated. Instead, plaudits went to Sky Atlantic’s Patrick Melrose series, based on Edward St Aubyn’s semi-autobiographical novel about a drug-addled man coming to terms with historic abuse. The show won best mini-series and took the best leading actor award for Cumberbatch. Other winners include Ben Whishaw, who picked up the best supporting actor award for his role in A Very English Scandal, while Ant and Dec collected the best entertainment programme for Britain’s Got Talent. Benedict Cumberbatch won the best actor award for Patrick Melrose Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA Dec, who also picked up an award for I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here … paid tribute to co-host Holly Willoughby, who stood-in for Ant following his drink-driving conviction: “It was a tough year, personally and professionally, but I just tried to keep the shows warm for when he came back,” said Dec. The best single documentary went to Gun No. 6, about illegal firearms in the UK, while Louis Theroux won best factual series for his Altered States programme. Who Do You Think You Are? was named best feature programme. The news coverage award went to Channel 4’s work on the Cambridge Analytica scandal, with their undercover filming exposing the claims of the company’s former chief executive, Alexander Nix. There was substantial applause from the audience for the family of Jerome Rogers, who took the stage to accept the best single drama award for the BBC programme Killed By My Debt. Rogers, a young motorcycle courier earning less than £30 a week on a zero-hours contract, killed himself aged 20 after being pursued by debt collection agencies over two unpaid £65 traffic fines. The audience heard the British debt collection industry described as a “series of organised gangs extorting money from people who haven’t got it”, with Rogers’ family saying they hoped more people would watch the programme as a result and pressure the government to increase regulation of bailiffs. One of the unexpected stars of the evening was Bros after the 1980s pop stars became unlikely cult heroes after the release of a documentary about their reunion tour last year. The likes of Cumberbatch sung the praises of the singers on the red carpet, while Charlie Brooker, the creator of Netflix’s Black Mirror, said he’d love to cast them in a future episode.