Jodie Comer named first winner of Outstanding Achievement in British Theatre Award
Jodie Comer, the actor, is the first winner of the Outstanding Achievement in British Theatre Award, presented at the UK Theatre Awards 2026 in London on 12 October for her Prima Facie tour.
TL;DR
- Comer is the inaugural recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in British Theatre Award.
- UK Theatre says Prima Facie has reached more than 1.2 million people worldwide.
- The award recognises her work taking the one-woman play beyond London.
- The 2026 tour opened at Richmond Theatre on 23 January.
Why the award matters for touring theatre
The prize acknowledges Comer’s commitment to taking Prima Facie beyond London, according to Theatre Weekly. Organisers said it helps make world-class theatre accessible to communities across the UK and Ireland.
1.2 million+
People reached by Prima Facie on stage and through National Theatre Live broadcasts
Source: UK Theatre, as reported by The Irish News
Comer said she was “incredibly honoured to receive the inaugural Outstanding Achievement in British Theatre Award,” according to WhatsOnStage.
Prima Facie tour dates and UK venues
The 2026 tour was scheduled to open at Richmond Theatre in south-west London on Friday 23 January, according to Ents24. It then moved to eight further venues across Dublin, Edinburgh, Cardiff, York, Bath, Canterbury, Birmingham and Liverpool.
Liverpool is Comer’s home city, according to The Irish News. That gives the tour a personal UK talent angle.
Suzie Miller, the playwright, said the tour meant “more people can be part of the conversation,” according to YorkMix. Comer called the run her “last time” with the role at the tour’s announcement, according to the same report.
Comer’s stage and screen honours
On stage, Comer has won WhatsOnStage, Olivier and Tony Awards, according to WhatsOnStage. Her screen work has earned an Emmy and two BAFTAs.
The Olivier came in 2023 for her West End debut as barrister Tessa Ensler, according to The Scotsman. Prima Facie later transferred to Broadway.
The ceremony took place at 8 Northumberland Avenue in central London, according to WhatsOnStage. La Voix, the drag performer, hosted, and Encore sponsored the event.
For more on British stage talent moving to screen, see Andrew Scott in the first Elsinore trailer and the first Wicker trailer with Olivia Colman. Our coverage of British TV drama also includes Anna Friel’s return in Stan’s medical drama.
Reported from publicly available interviews and verified press sources. Last reviewed 13 October 2026.
Lewis Calvert Founder & Editor, BriefLedger
Lewis founded BriefLedger and has six years of experience covering film, TV, and entertainment news. He leads the site’s Movies and TV sections and runs the news desk — always with a straight-talking British take.
