**Jodie Comer Says ‘Prima Facie’ Prompts Men to Reflect on Their Own Actions**
Acclaimed actor Jodie Comer has opened up about the profound effect her play, *Prima Facie*, is having on audiences—particularly on men, who she says are forced to reconsider their own past behaviours after attending a performance. The one-woman production, which had a widely praised stint in London’s West End in 2022, is set to tour the UK and Ireland next year, bringing its urgent social message to a broader audience.
*Prima Facie* tells the powerful story of Tessa, a defence barrister who has made her career representing men accused of sexual assault. Tessa’s steadfast belief in the legal system and her own ability to compartmentalise work from personal values is upended when she becomes a victim of sexual assault herself. Throughout the play, the audience is confronted with the realities of the justice system and the shifting perceptions that accompany such traumatic experiences.
In a recent interview with British GQ, Comer reflected on the responses she has received from male audience members. She suggested that the subject matter can be confronting for many men, even if they do not immediately identify with the story. “I imagine it’s quite confronting,” Comer observed. “Maybe, when men read what the play is about, they think: ‘well, that’s not aimed at me.’ But for a man, it may force them to look back at their own behaviour, which could be extremely uncomfortable. Sexual assault isn’t just ‘a woman’s issue’; it concerns everyone.”
Highlighting the universality of the play’s message, Comer recalled an encounter involving a male police officer who attended a performance and later wrote to the production. The officer revealed that the play resonated deeply with him, making him reflect on his professional role and recognise the work that remains in responding to sexual assault cases. Such feedback, Comer admitted, is rare but crucial: “He was basically saying, ‘this is me – I recognise this and the kind of change that is needed in my line of work.’”
While much of the discourse around *Prima Facie* has understandably centred on its impact on women, Comer noted that the play has opened up a unique dialogue, prompting personal responses from female audience members too. Many women have approached her after performances, sharing their own stories or simply expressing silent recognition. “There’s something beautiful about those interactions,” Comer said. “Even if little is said, there are moments where it’s clear that the story resonates. Someone might just look at you and you know—they’re saying, ‘That was me,’ or, ‘I feel that too.’”
Best known for her role as Villanelle in the hit BBC series *Killing Eve*, Comer’s latest theatrical role signals a shift towards work that engages audiences in difficult, yet urgent conversations. The actor’s willingness to tackle challenging subjects on stage has already garnered significant praise from critics and fellow performers alike.
The upcoming UK and Ireland tour of *Prima Facie* is expected to continue pushing conversations around sexual assault, justice, and gender beyond traditional boundaries. As the play reaches new audiences, Comer hopes it will create space for dialogue among men and women alike about issues rarely discussed openly and honestly.
The full interview with Jodie Comer can be found in the latest “Heroes Issue” of British GQ, available via digital download and on newsstands. As British theatre continues to tackle uncomfortable societal topics, productions like *Prima Facie* play a vital role in fostering empathy, accountability, and, most significantly, change.
With its powerful narrative and Comer’s formidable performance, *Prima Facie* is rapidly earning recognition not just as a must-see drama, but as a catalyst for reflection and discussion across the country. The wider the platform for stories like Tessa’s, the greater the opportunity for understanding and transformation both on and off the stage.