It was a night to remember for Liverpool’s own Jodie Comer as she pulled off a memorable Best Actress win at this year’s TV BAFTAs.

The 26 year old Evertonian deservedly landed the award for her acclaimed role as the alluring yet deadly Russian assassin Villanelle in the hit BBC series Killing Eve. Her win came at the expense of co-star Sandra Oh (as MI:6 operative Eve Polastri) as well as Keeley Hawes in Bodyguard and Ruth Wilson in Mrs. Wilson.

An emotional Jodie gave a powerful speech in which she praised Killing Eve writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge and fellow scouser Stephen Graham. She also paid tribute to her family as well as her late grandmother who passed away during filming of the first series.

“Wow! Thank you so much Bafta. I’m so sorry, I’m the only one who’s turned on the water works.

Thank you Luke Jennings, thank you Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Pheeb I feel so lucky to not only say that I have worked with you but to call you a friend. you are the most talented person I know. Thank you for being such an inspiration. I would love to thank BBC America, Charlotte Moore at BBC, Sid Gentle, Sally and Lee, you guys really are the best. The entire cast and crew for coming back every year and giving it their all with the biggest smiles on their faces.

I want to thank this moment to thank Stephen Graham. Stephen, if I didn’t owe you a pint before, I definitely do now! Thank you for the generosity you showed me all those years ago and for introducing me to Jane. Jane, you’ve encouraged and supported me ever since and I cannot thank you enough.

Biggest thank you to mum, dad and gorgeous brother Charlie for the support you always show me. Last but not least, I would love to dedicate this award to my nana Frances who sadly passed away the first week of filming so she never got to see Villanelle. But she was the life and soul of everything and when she was here, she’d say to me, ‘you get it off me you know’, and I just want to stand up here tonight and say nana Frances you were absolutely right all along. Thank you so much Bafta.”

Killing Eve itself also celebrated BAFTA success in the Best Drama Series category while Fiona Shaw scooped the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as MI6 boss Carolyn Martens.

However it was Jodie’s win that gained the most praise from fans especially those from the Merseyside area. It has been a remarkable rise for the Liverpudlian star who has also had key roles in other successful programmes like My Mad Fat Diary (2013-15), Thirteen (2016), Rillington Place (2016), The White Princess (2017) and Doctor Foster (2015-17).

With Series 3 of Killing Eve still to be filmed, Jodie is now turning her attentions to the big-screen as she stars alongside Ryan Reynolds in the upcoming action comedy Free Guy.