In her latest role in the survival film The End We Start From, Killing Eve star Jodie Comer admits to feeling terrified while acting alongside 15 babies. Portraying a mother navigating flooding and civil unrest, Comer’s character must also care for her newborn baby. This challenging role pushed Comer outside of her comfort zone and allowed her to experience working with infants for the first time.
Comer reveals that she had limited experience with young babies, as most of her younger cousins had grown up. Therefore, working with 15 infants aged from eight weeks to young toddlers presented a steep learning curve. Strict on-set rules required that each baby could only be part of a scene for 20 minutes at a time, leading to the need for multiple infants. Comer’s hands visibly shook when she first met an eight-week-old baby on set, but she quickly adapted to the unpredictable rhythms of the babies during the six-week shoot.
Director Mahalia Belo praises Comer’s dedication and presence on set, considering the logistical challenge of juggling so many infants while filming. Belo emphasizes that they were all in the trenches of making an independent film, using dummy babies when necessary. Another challenge faced during shooting was depicting widespread flooding and carnage during a drought. They had to wait until a hosepipe ban was lifted to use rain machines, but they managed to create natural-looking effects on a limited budget.
Working on an independent film with a smaller budget and timescale was a new experience for Comer. She realized the passion and drive behind the making of indie films, as emphasized during the British Independent Film Awards. Despite having a caravan on set, Comer spent little time in it due to the numerous scenes she was involved in. The film explores the theme of motherhood, paralleling the chaos experienced by new mothers with the rising waters that drive people into the unknown.
Based on Megan Hunter’s novella of the same name, the film’s screenplay was adapted by Alice Birch, who co-wrote the successful TV adaptation of Normal People and the screenplay for Lady Macbeth. Comer’s portrayal of Woman has earned widespread acclaim, with reviewers praising her lead performance and the film’s focus on the human factor. The cast also includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Katherine Waterston, and Gina McKee.
Comer expresses her desire to continue challenging herself as an actress and search for scripts that move and energize her. She seeks emotional connection and new self-discovery in her roles, avoiding repetition and staying outside her comfort zone. The End We Start From will be released in UK cinemas on January 19th.
