How Does Codename Villanelle Compare To The TV Series?

The first thing that struck me about 'Codename Villanelle' compared to the TV series 'Killing Eve' is how much more internal the book feels. Luke Jennings’ writing dives deep into Villanelle’s psyche in a way that the show, for all its brilliance, can’t quite replicate. The novel’s prose lets you live inside her head—her arrogance, her boredom, her fleeting moments of something almost like vulnerability. It’s fascinating to see how her thought process works, especially when contrasted with Eve’s perspective in later books. The show, of course, has Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer’s electrifying performances, which add layers of charisma and tension that aren’t as palpable on the page. But the book’s quieter moments—like Villanelle’s reflections on her childhood—hit harder for me. There’s a raw, almost clinical detachment in Jennings’ writing that makes her violence feel even more unsettling.

That said, the TV series expands the world in ways the book doesn’t. The supporting characters, like Carolyn and Konstantin, are far more fleshed out on screen, and the dark humor is dialed up to Eleven. The show’s aesthetic—those stylish costumes, the globe-trotting locations—adds a glossy, surreal quality that the book lacks. But I miss the book’s grittier edge. The novel doesn’t shy away from showing how messy and unglamorous assassination can be, while the show sometimes leans too much into the 'cool killer' trope. Both are fantastic in their own ways, but if you want to understand Villanelle’s twisted mind, the book is essential.

I adore how 'Killing Eve' the series plays with tone—it’s this wild mix of thriller, dark comedy, and almost romantic tension that the book doesn’t quite capture. The novel 'Codename Villanelle' is more straightforward in its spy thriller approach, Focusing on the cat-and-mouse game without as much of the quirky charm Phoebe Waller-Bridge brought to the adaptation. Jodie Comer’s Villanelle is iconic, but the book version feels colder, more calculating, which makes her scarier in a different way. The show’s pacing is also faster, with more dramatic set pieces, while the book takes its time building tension. Both are worth experiencing, but they’re almost different genres at heart.