In a delightful moment that bridges the worlds of stage and screen, Jodie Comer, the Emmy-winning star of Killing Eve, shared a heartwarming story about a note she received from Academy Award winner Jodie Foster after her Broadway debut in Prima Facie. The revelation, made during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show in January 2024, has captivated fans and highlighted the mutual respect between two of Hollywood’s most celebrated Jodies. This 1800-word article dives into the significance of this encounter, the context of Comer’s Broadway triumph, Foster’s supportive gesture, and the broader implications of their connection, weaving together their careers, shared experiences, and the emotional weight of their interaction.
The Setting: Jodie Comer’s Broadway Triumph
Jodie Comer, born March 11, 1993, in Liverpool, England, has risen from local drama classes to global stardom, thanks to her electrifying performances in Killing Eve, The Last Duel, and Free Guy. Her role as the psychopathic assassin Villanelle in Killing Eve earned her a BAFTA and an Emmy, showcasing her ability to embody complex, multifaceted characters. But it was her transition to theater in 2022 that marked a new chapter in her career. Comer took on the daunting challenge of Prima Facie, a one-woman play by Suzie Miller, first on London’s West End and then on Broadway in spring 2023.
Prima Facie is a legal thriller that follows Tessa Ensler, a criminal defense barrister who specializes in defending men accused of sexual assault. The narrative takes a gut-wrenching turn when Tessa herself becomes a victim of rape, forcing her to navigate the legal system as a plaintiff and confront its flaws. Comer’s performance was a tour de force, earning her critical acclaim, an Evening Standard Theatre Award, a Laurence Olivier Award, and a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play in 2023. The play, which transferred from the Harold Pinter Theatre in London to the John Golden Theatre in New York, became a cultural phenomenon, with its National Theatre Live screening grossing £4.47 million, the highest for any event cinema release.
Comer’s Broadway run was not without challenges. On June 7, 2023, she was forced to leave a matinée performance just 10 minutes in due to breathing difficulties caused by New York City’s air quality crisis, triggered by Canadian wildfire smoke. Her understudy, Dani Arlington, stepped in, and Comer later resumed her performances, earning praise for her resilience. The production’s intensity, coupled with its emotional and physical demands, made Comer’s achievement all the more remarkable—and set the stage for her memorable encounter with Jodie Foster.
The Note: A Touching Gesture from Jodie Foster
During her appearance on The Graham Norton Show alongside Alan Cumming, Comer recounted the moment she discovered Foster had attended her Broadway performance. “Jodie Foster came … I remember I came off stage and she’d ripped out a page from the Playbill and she’d wrote a little note, a beautiful little note on the bottom,” Comer shared, her voice brimming with excitement. The note’s contents remained private, but Comer revealed its charming sign-off: “She signed it, ‘From the other Jodie.’ I was like, ‘No, I’m the other Jodie!’” This playful exchange, reported by People and other outlets, underscored the warmth and camaraderie between the two actresses, despite their generational and professional differences.
Jodie Foster, 61, is a Hollywood legend with a career spanning over five decades. From her breakout role as a child prostitute in Taxi Driver (1976) to her Oscar-winning performances in The Accused (1988) and The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Foster has cemented her status as a versatile and fearless actress. Her recent work, including a Golden Globe-winning role in The Mauritanian (2021) and an Emmy for True Detective: Night Country (2024), showcases her enduring talent. Foster’s gesture to Comer was more than a kind note—it was a passing of the torch, a moment of recognition from one trailblazer to another.
The note’s significance lies in its context. Foster, who has largely avoided theater since a traumatic experience during a college play in 1981, attended Comer’s performance despite her own complicated history with the stage. In an Interview Magazine conversation with Comer, Foster revealed that her only theater experience was marred by the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley Jr., who claimed it was to impress her, and a subsequent incident where another stalker brought a gun to her performance. “It was a traumatic moment, and I’ve never admitted that maybe that has something to do with how I never wanted to do a play again,” Foster told Comer, explaining her absence from Broadway.
Yet, Foster’s presence at Prima Facie and her heartfelt note suggest she was moved by Comer’s courage and talent. The act of tearing a page from the Playbill to write the note adds a personal, almost spontaneous touch, reflecting Foster’s genuine admiration. For Comer, receiving such a gesture from a figure she likely admired—given Foster’s iconic status—was a career-defining moment, one she described as overwhelming and affirming.
A Shared Bond: The Jodie Connection
The playful “other Jodie” sign-off is more than a cute anecdote—it symbolizes a deeper connection between the two actresses. Both Comers and Foster share a name and a reputation for tackling challenging, nuanced roles. Comer’s Villanelle in Killing Eve and Foster’s Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs are iconic portrayals of women navigating dangerous, morally complex worlds. Both actresses have also transitioned from screen to stage or vice versa, with Comer embracing theater after a television-heavy career and Foster stepping back from it after her early experiences.
Their paths have crossed before, albeit indirectly. In a June 2024 Interview Magazine feature, Comer and Foster discussed their careers, with Foster praising Comer’s transformative performance in The Bikeriders (2024), where she played Kathy, a Midwesterner in a ’60s motorcycle club. Foster noted Comer’s ability to “fill a stage,” a compliment that carries weight given Comer’s Prima Facie success. Comer, in turn, expressed gratitude for Foster’s support, highlighting their mutual respect.
This connection extends to their shared commitment to authenticity. Comer, who has no formal acting training, has spoken about learning through experience, particularly with Villanelle’s bold, larger-than-life performance. “What I learned playing her is that there is acting that can be so full of life and bold that it is ridiculous at times,” she told Interview Magazine. Foster, similarly, has relied on instinct over formal training, navigating roles that demand emotional depth and vulnerability. Their shared approach—channeling raw emotion into their craft—makes Foster’s note to Comer a powerful endorsement.
The Broadway Context: A Tale of Two Audiences
Comer’s Graham Norton appearance also shed light on the differences between performing in London’s West End and New York’s Broadway, providing context for Foster’s visit. Alongside Alan Cumming, Comer noted that Broadway audiences often clap before the play begins, a gesture of enthusiasm that can disrupt actors’ timing. “It’s kind, but you have to rush to get your lines in on time,” she said, laughing. This cultural difference underscores the intensity of her Broadway run, where she performed a 100-minute solo show, delivering emotionally charged monologues night after night.
Foster’s attendance at Prima Facie was a significant moment in this context. As a Hollywood veteran who has shied away from theater, her decision to see Comer’s performance speaks to the play’s cultural impact and Comer’s magnetic presence. The note, described as “beautiful” by Comer, likely reflected Foster’s appreciation for the courage it took to tackle such a demanding role, especially given her own reluctance to return to the stage. The gesture also aligns with Foster’s history of supporting younger actors, as seen in her mentorship of colleagues like Robert Downey Jr., who has spoken of her kindness.
The Emotional Weight: Why the Note Matters
For Comer, the note was more than a celebrity endorsement—it was a validation of her leap into uncharted territory. Prima Facie was only her second stage role, following a small part in The Price of Everything in 2010. In interviews, she has described the experience as “overwhelming and powerful,” stretching her mentally, physically, and emotionally. “Since doing the play, you’re almost chasing that feeling,” she told Foster, reflecting on the transformative impact of theater.
Foster’s note, delivered after such a performance, carried immense weight. Comer’s reaction—“No, I’m the other Jodie!”—reveals her humility and disbelief at receiving praise from a figure of Foster’s stature. The moment also resonates with fans, who flooded X with posts celebrating the interaction. One user, @jodiemcoma, shared Comer’s quote, adding, “Jodie Foster left a note 😍,” capturing the excitement of this Hollywood crossover.
A Broader Impact: Inspiring the Next Generation
The Foster-Comer connection extends beyond a single note—it represents a lineage of women in entertainment who challenge norms and push boundaries. Comer’s Prima Facie role, which tackles issues of sexual assault and systemic injustice, aligns with Foster’s own socially conscious work, such as The Accused, where she played a rape survivor seeking justice. Both actresses have used their platforms to amplify important stories, and Foster’s gesture to Comer symbolizes a shared commitment to meaningful art.
The note also highlights the power of mentorship in Hollywood. Foster, who has navigated fame since childhood, understands the pressures of the industry. Her support for Comer, who has spoken about guarding her privacy amid growing stardom, reflects a desire to uplift the next generation. Comer, in turn, has expressed gratitude for her grounded roots, crediting her Liverpool friends and family for keeping her humble. “I need to be a better sister, a better friend,” she said after her Broadway run, emphasizing her desire to stay connected to her origins.
Looking Forward: A Lasting Legacy
As Prima Facie prepares for a UK and Ireland tour in 2025, culminating in Comer’s hometown of Liverpool, the note from Foster remains a cherished milestone. Comer called the tour’s finale “a better finale to what has been such an incredible and deeply rewarding chapter,” underscoring the play’s personal significance. Meanwhile, Foster continues to shine, with recent projects like True Detective: Night Country and a French-speaking role at Cannes, proving her versatility at 61.
The note from “the other Jodie” is a testament to the power of small gestures in a high-stakes industry. It’s a reminder that even stars of Foster’s caliber find inspiration in emerging talents like Comer. For fans, it’s a heartwarming glimpse into a bond that transcends fame—a moment where two Jodies, united by talent and mutual respect, shared a stage in their own way. What’s your take on this Hollywood connection? Share your thoughts below—this is a story that’s as inspiring as it is unforgettable.
