TV’s oddest couple returned last night as the second series of Killing Eve began on BBC1.
The first series went from cult hit to mainstream success thanks to Jodie Comer’s spectacular turn as a Russian assassin and her odder than odd relationship with the secret agent on her trail, Sandra Oh.
The second series, with a new writer replacing Bafta winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge, is being shown weekly but available to binge on iPlayer. Here, two Sunday Post writers review the first episode.
The Review, by Sunday Post TV writer Stevie Gallagher
The men barely get a look-in. Quite right, too
We left star-crossed frenemies Eve and Villanelle at the end of the last series with their relationship on a knife-edge.
For Villanelle the knife-edge was a bit too literal.
There’s no way the BBC were about to kill off one of the small screen’s most captivating characters, though and last night she returned in the first episode of the second series. Everyone’s favourite Euro assassin was back on screen – 30 seconds after the last episode ended.
Seamlessly continuing the story was a wise move by new chief writer Emerald Fennell and fans concerned something would be lost with Waller-Bridge’s decision to take a back seat needn’t have worried.
Jodie Comer was terrifying, vulnerable, charming and downright hilarious as Villanelle over the opener’s 40 minutes.
She’s like if the next Jason Bourne film ditched Matt Damon and cast Glenn Close’s character from Fatal Attraction instead.
“Sometimes when you love someone, you will do crazy things,” she mused, eerily.
Meanwhile, Sandra Oh’s Eve has become almost as fascinated by her psychopathic nemesis as we viewers have.
In the first episode of the last series, Villanelle was impressively mean to a little girl in a Viennese ice cream parlour. This time it was Eve’s turn – she didn’t hesitate to snarl at a little boy who tried to pilfer her pick ‘n’ mix.
Eve’s been pulled into Villanelle’s orbit and if I was her drip of a husband I’d be a bit concerned with the way his wife gazed at a rather large kitchen knife.
Interestingly, the male characters still seem to be mostly two-dimensional props for the fascinating females.Not so much an oversight as the whole point.
There are also lots of touches that perhaps only a female writer would add – a bloodied knife disposed of in a sanitary bin, or two characters swooning over Villanelle’s chic apartment.
While Eve is hardening up, Villanelle at first seemed to be softening. She made friends with the tragic teenage boy in the bed next to her – perhaps he could teach her some humanity?
Those pyjamas will be a fancy dress favourite this Halloween, surely.
It wasn’t long before the boy was brutally dispatched by Villanelle.
She appeared to be covering her tracks but, given the boy’s misery, maybe it was a twisted act of mercy.
Only our favourite assassin could show sympathy by breaking someone’s neck. How very Villanelle.
She’s back with a bang – or perhaps that should be a snap.
The Fashion, by Sunday Post fashion editor Wendy Rigg
So what would a supremely stylish, funny Euro assassin wear? Exactly this
Killing Eve is now every bit as stylishly iconic as Sex And The City.
Jodie Comer scoured Europe with costume designer Charlotte Mitchell, ensuring a weekly fix of take-your-breath-away fashion moments.
Her character Villanelle’s style is fearless, quirky and underlined with a warped sense of humour.
The mark of a true fashion icon, she puts together items which shouldn’t look good together, but do – such as last season’s froufrou pink tulle Molly Goddard dress, worn with punky Balenciaga boots.
For series two, Villanelle’s wardrobe ranges from comic strip print pyjamas (small boy size) to tailoring worn with ties and Charlotte’s personal favourite, a black Alexander McQueen dress and polka dot veil in episode five.
Charlotte, who took over from the highly acclaimed costume designer Phoebe De Gay for the new series, told The Sunday Post: “It’s design creates such drama on screen. The veil achieves everything I wanted for the tone of the scene.”
Pink remains a theme and, in episode four, a random admirer stops to ask Villanelle, wearing Rosie Assoulin pink blouse, coral floor-length skirt and 80’s vintage Lacroix earrings, if she will pose for her Instagram feed.
The putdown, delivered in that wonderful Russian accent, is as cutting as you’d expect. “No, of course not. Don’t be pathetic. Get a real life.”
We love the way Villanelle surprises us – feminine, flirty and chic one minute, clad in masculine suit the next (KD Lang was an influence for those androgynously sexy looks).
Expect ties on the high street by AW19.
I love the way she uses disguise, too. She delights in being asked to take on the role of socialite Billie, pairing a pink wig with Armani shearling jacket. Literally to dye for!
Charlotte said: “Billie is one of those girls who spends a fortune on her clothes, but just picks them up off the floor after a night out clubbing and throws them on.
“Where Villanelle is quite eclectic and together, Billie is eclectic and dishevelled.
“They’re all expensive items, but the blouse is done up slightly crooked.
“It’s in those little details.”
In another disguise, posing as a posh Oxford University student, Villanelle’s style is a parody of Englishness – sweater so carefully knotted over the shoulders, shirt, tie and belted men’s chinos.
She carries it off to perfection.
Showcasing her malevolently playful side in episode four, Villanelle channels some creepy cosplay in pink corset, white gathered blouse, full skirt and surreal, fluffy, pig’s head mask.
Great look for a killer, I’m sure you’ll agree?
Eve’s style is more muted, and classic.
She wears more practical clothes by day, and a lot of linen, looking like she hasn’t had time to think about her clothes as she is constantly stressed.
However, by night, she stuns in sexy dresses.
Of Eve’s nemesis, Charlotte added: “Villanelle plays by her own rules, and never wears the same thing twice.”
Good. The more outfit changes, the better!
Ooooh…we are literally on the edge of our seats, with a glass of Rose to match that blouse.
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