Samantha Morton hails Heath Ledger-style comparison with her work in The Odyssey as ‘very moving’

The Oscar-nominated actress has spoken of her emotional reaction after Christopher Nolan and producer Emma Thomas likened the crew’s response to her performance in The Odyssey to the applause Heath Ledger received while filming The Dark Knight.

Samantha Morton has described Christopher Nolan’s comparison between her performance in The Odyssey and Heath Ledger’s acclaimed turn as the Joker in The Dark Knight as “very moving”.

The Oscar-nominated actress, 49, plays the enchantress Circe in Christopher’s upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey, which arrives in cinemas on 17 July, and she says his praise for her work on the film left her deeply emotional because of the respect she had for late actor Heath.

During a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Christopher revealed Samantha received a spontaneous round of applause from the film’s crew after completing one of her scenes.

He said his wife and producing partner, Emma Thomas, remarked the last time they had witnessed such a reaction on one of Nolan’s productions was after Heath Ledger’s performance during the making of The Dark Knight, also directed by Christopher.

The comments come as The Odyssey continues to generate huge awards-season buzz ahead of its release, with its ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Elliot Page, Jon Bernthal, Mia Goth, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, Benny Safdie and Himesh Patel.

Samantha remains best known for acclaimed performances in Sweet and Lowdown, In America, Minority Report, Control, The Walking Dead and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Speaking at the film’s New York premiere, Samantha responded to Christopher’s comments drawing comparisons between her and Heath by saying it was “very emotion” to her.

Christopher previously recalled the moment while discussing the production.

He said the crew “gave (Samantha) a great round of applause” after she completed one of her scenes as Circe.

Christopher added: “I was talking with Emma afterwards and she remembered that the last time that had happened was with Heath Ledger on The Dark Knight.”

Reflecting on the comparison, Samantha explained why it carried particular significance.

She added: “I have a slight connection to Heath where we nearly did a movie together and didn’t, and I spent some time with him.”

She added: “The word ‘fan’ diminishes how I felt about him as an actor because I respected him as an actor and as a presence.”

Samantha also said: “I think his interpretation of the Joker was so vulnerable and so multidimensional it blew me away. And I think so that’s an honour.”

Heath, who died aged 28 in 2008, received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight.

He was posthumously awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2009, becoming the first performer to win an Oscar for a role in one of Christopher’s films.

That record stood until Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy won Academy Awards for their performances in Oppenheimer.

Samantha also praised the cast assembled for The Odyssey, describing the atmosphere on set as unusually supportive.

She said: “They’re like the nicest bunch of people.”

Samantha added: “I don’t know, (Christopher) just managed to pick these very lovely people to work with who are kind and generous and just awesome.”

Christopher’s adaptation of Homer’s epic poem follows Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, as he attempts to return to Ithaca following the Trojan War, encountering mythical figures including Circe during his perilous journey.

The film marks Christopher’s first feature since the Oscar-winning success of Oppenheimer.