Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Killing Eve season 3: Return of assassin thriller starring Jodie Comer divides critics

First-look reviews of the new series, written by Suzanne Heathcote, are mixed

Ellie Harrison
Wednesday 08 April 2020 14:14 BST
Comments
Killing Eve season 3 trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The third season of Killing Eve has divided reviewers, with some hailing it as “hilarious” and “gripping”, while others have deemed it “stale and predictable”.

Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh return as Villanelle and Eve in the new series of the assassin thriller, which also sees Harriet Walter and Steve Pemberton join the cast.

The show’s release was brought forward two weeks amid the coronavirus pandemic, meaning fans can watch it on iPlayer from 13 April.

Unlike previous seasons, the third series will not immediately be put online in its entirety.

In a two star review in The Independent, Ed Cumming suggested Killing Eve is being released early because the BBC knows the show is “a bit iffy these days, and wants to get it out while the entire Western world is under house arrest, glued to their TV”.

While he praised Comer’s performance, he said that since Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s departure as lead writer, the humour in the series has become “weary”.

Anita Singh of The Telegraph, who gave the show three stars, said “the novelty has worn off” and Killing Eve is “no longer TV’s must-watch”.

“Where can the story go now, and does anyone care about the show as much as they used to?” she asked. “The killings in Killing Eve used to be inventive – remember the poison perfume – but the one featured in this episode was pretty dull.”

TV Guide’s Kaitlin Thomas added it “now feels like a copy of its former self” and Flora Carr of the Radio Times believes it “suffers in comparison to the heights of season one”.

Metro’s Tilly Pearce, however, called the episodes “as hilarious, gripping and extra as ever”. The Mirror’s Sara Wallis said the show is “heart-stoppingly brilliant with plenty of shocking deaths”.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Den of Geek’s Delia Harrington added that its “eerie, off-kilter humour remains in place”.

A fourth series of Killing Eve has already been commissioned, with Sex Education’s Laura Neal taking over from Suzanne Heathcote as lead writer.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in