Jodie Comer is unrecognisable as a first look from her new film has been released. The Scouse superstar is set to star in Stuffed, which will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival later this year.
Stuffed: A Horror Musical Romance
The inventive new film is a horror musical romance mash up and sees Jodie play a taxidermist named Araminta. The full synopsis on BFI reads: "Set against a darkly macabre backdrop, Stuffed is an unconventional musical love story about Araminta, a brooding taxidermist whose secret ambition is to stuff a human specimen."When she meets Bernie, a lonely man so afraid of being forgotten that he volunteers himself, their pact unexpectedly evolves into a haunting romance."
Bernie is played by Harry Melling, who shot to stardom as a child for his role as Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter franchise. The film is directed by Theo Rhys and is expanded from the filmmaker's 2021 short movie of the same name.
Toronto International Film Festival Premiere
Stuffed has been named as part of the Discovery programme at TIFF, which runs from September 10 to 20. The film is from producers Agile Films, which released a first look of Jodie in character yesterday (Wednesday, July 22). Jodie is unrecognisable as her character has dark curly hair.
The full Instagram post said: "STUFFED, is having its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Based on our BAFTA-nominated short, it is screening as the Opening Night film of the 2026 Discovery programme. Starring Jodie Comer & Harry Melling. Written by Theo Rhys and Joss Holden-Rea. Directed by Theo Rhys. Produced by Sam Ritzenberg, Dimitra Tsingou, Myles Payne and Hayley Williams, alongside our incredibly talented and generous collaborators @freshfishfilms, Louise Ortega and the team at @britishfilminstitute and @ffilmcymruwales."
People took to the comments to share their excitement about the new film, which does not yet have a UK release date. Jennifer said: "Going to be amazing, so original. Jodie looks so different." Darren posted: "Cannot wait to catch it at the festival!" Peter added: "THIS is why we make movies."
Busy Year for Jodie
It's another busy year for Jodie as the 33-year-old is also starring in the Death of Robin Hood, which arrives on screens in the UK on September 3. Jodie also returned home to Liverpool in March to bring the curtain down on her time as Tess in Prima Facie. The show was performed at the Liverpool Playhouse from March 17 to 21 to huge acclaim.
Reflecting on her return home, Jodie posted on Instagram in March: "Liverpool, THANK YOU! It felt like every part of the process had been leading to this divine moment. I don't have the words, nor do I want to try. All I know is that I will call back on this memory and the sensation of being on that stage, in the Liverpool Playhouse, for the rest of my life."
Reflecting on the character that means so much to her, she added: "Tess was home, I was home. And yet surrounded by these beautiful people, each city became a version of home for a very short space of time. This was wholeheartedly a result of the support and presence we offered one another as a company."
Jodie explained the importance of the picture she picked for the post, saying: "This was a picture from our final pre show dance. It was a ritual we showed up to every single day before we all went our separate ways to prepare for the curtain call. It always served as a salve, a celebration and I know we all leave this experience feeling irrevocably changed and fulfilled. Thank you Prima Facie, what an adventure!"
Jodie has previously spoken to the ECHO in an exclusive interview about the importance of Liverpool for her. She said: "The way you communicate with people, it's the laugh you're able to have with people you work with. Not taking yourself seriously. There are so many things that I think of friends and family, or strangers that you meet from Liverpool. I don't think that essence leaves you and it's something I miss a lot when I'm not in Liverpool and you come home and you're reminded of if straight away."
