Stephen Graham 'made' Jodie Comer's incredible career with one small gesture (2025)

Jodie Comer is one of the most successful actresses in the world and has two BAFTAs under her belt, but the star will always be grateful to fellow Liverpudlian Stephen Graham

Jodie Comer may be a global sensation now but she never forgets to acknowledge those who supported her in the early days.

Boasting two BAFTAs, a Tony, and an Emmy, the acclaimed actress consistently credits fellow Liverpudlian actor Stephen Graham for kick-starting her career.

In 2022, after securing the prestigious Best Leading Actress BAFTA for Help - a poignant Covid-19 TV drama featuring Jodie and Stephen - the then 29 year old vowed in her acceptance speech to thank Stephen 'for the rest of her life'.

Stephen, a powerhouse actor from Liverpool, recognised Jodie's acting talent back in 2012, when they shared a brief scene in the BBC miniseries Good Cop. The Adolescence star subsequently persuaded his agent to recognise the potential in the young actress.

Jodie, now 32, went on to secure roles in popular TV series like Doctor Foster and My Mad Fat Diary before landing her breakthrough role in the hit TV show Killing Eve. As the stylish and intriguingly complex Russian assassin Villanelle, Jodie became the international breakout star of the series, garnering numerous awards and critical praise, reports the Express.

After receiving rave reviews for her West End debut in the one-woman show Prima Facie, Jodie's portfolio includes the 2021 Ryan Reynolds Hollywood blockbuster Free Guy and Danny Boyle's eagerly awaited horror sequel 28 Years Later, due for release this summer.

After scooping the Best Leading Actress BAFTA in 2019 for Killing Eve, Jodie took a moment to express her gratitude to This Is England actor Stephen Graham during her acceptance speech. She said: "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."

The friendship between Stephen and Jodie dates back to 2012 when they briefly shared screen time in the British police drama Good Cop. At that time, a young Jodie played a waitress who was harassed and nearly sexually assaulted by Stephen's character, only to be saved by the show's hero.

Despite their short professional interaction, Stephen was so impressed by Jodie's performance that he reached out to her, offering to introduce her to his agent, Jane Epstein.

Reflecting on their initial meeting and subsequent friendship ahead of their Channel 4 show Help, Jodie shared: "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.' Jodie credits her Help co-star for preserving her distinctive Scouse accent, sharing the golden nugget of advice he imparted to her when they first met. While chatting with Lauren Laverne on Radio 6, the Killing Eve star recounted: "[I was] just like chatting to him throughout the day, picking his brains, asking him lots of questions. I remember at that time feeling like I needed to take elocution lessons.

I don't know where I got that from, but he was like, 'You're kidding me, don't you dare ever lose this accent!

'"She further mentioned: "He's so true to himself and it was so good to have someone exactly like him, who is from where I'm from, and celebrates how they are in an industry where there are probably less working class actors. To have someone like him is amazing.

"Furthermore, during a chat with The Guardian, Jane Epstein shared the moment Stephen telephoned her to gush about Jodie, saying: "Stephen called me from the set of a series he was doing back in 2012 called Good Cop and passionately described a scene he had just shot with a young actress who he thought was one of the most exciting talents he had worked with to date. ""He said he was blown away by her and inquired if I could meet her.

I agreed, and as usual, he was spot on. " When the pandemic drama Help was first announced, Stephen couldn't hide his enthusiasm about teaming up with Jodie once again after nearly a decade, remarking: "I've wanted to work with Jodie for ages, and together we're hugely passionate about shining a light on one of the biggest tragedies of our time and the people at the heart of it.

"Jodie also chimed in, saying: "For us to be able to explore such a relevant and emotive story through the eyes of such beautifully real characters, and in our home city of Liverpool, is a real honour. ".

You can catch Adolescence on Netflix right this moment.