- Primary Subject: The Odyssey
- Key Update: Director Christopher Nolan revealed that Samantha Morton's performance as Circe earned a rare round of applause from the crew, a moment he hasn't seen since Heath Ledger played the Joker in The Dark Knight.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: July 8, 2026
- Quick Answer: Christopher Nolan compared Samantha Morton to Heath Ledger because her powerful performance as Circe in The Odyssey prompted a rare standing ovation from the film's crew.
The Odyssey features a star-studded cast, and director Christopher Nolan couldn't help comparing one of its actors to the late Heath Ledger.
Nolan, who directed The Dark Knight trilogy from 2005 to 2012, famously worked with Ledger, whose Oscar-winning performance as the Joker opposite Christian Bale remains one of the most acclaimed in superhero film history.
So, which The Odyssey star earned the comparison, and why did Nolan liken the actor to Ledger?
Which The Odyssey Actor Stood Out to Christopher Nolan?
Premiering in London on July 6 ahead of its theatrical release on July 17, The Odyssey has already generated strong early reactions, with one cast member earning widespread praise for her standout performance: Samantha Morton.
A two-time Academy Award nominee for her performances in Sweet and Lowdown and In America, the English actress steals nearly every scene she appears in as the goddess Circe, despite her limited screen time.
“This was a massive film and she is someone who comes in and changes the dynamic,” Christopher Nolan told the Los Angeles Times. “In some weird way, the film lived or died over that character. She was the fulcrum. I’ve always admired Samantha’s work. She brings so much depth of thinking about her role. There are no limitations on her performance.”
Nolan wasn't the only one impressed by Morton's work. He revealed that even the film's crew gave her a round of applause after one of her takes.
“I was talking with Emma [Thomas],” Nolan revealed of his wife and producing partner, “and she remembered that the last time that had happened was with Heath Ledger on The Dark Knight.”
Ledger's performance as the unpredictable Joker in The Dark Knight earned widespread critical acclaim and a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making it one of the most celebrated performances in superhero film history.
Who is Samantha Morton?
Samantha Morton may not be as widely known in the US as some of her The Odyssey co-stars, but she has long been regarded as one of the industry's finest performers.
The acclaimed actress, director, and musician rose to prominence after overcoming a challenging childhood in the foster care system. In addition to earning two Academy Award nominations, she received widespread praise for her performances in Minority Report and the TV series The Serpent Queen.
With a career spanning decades, Morton has built an impressive filmography that includes Synecdoche, New York, The Whale, and the Fantastic Beasts franchise. She is also well known for playing Alpha in The Walking Dead and starring in the period drama Harlots.
Morton made her directorial debut with the TV film The Unloved, which won a BAFTA Award. She later expanded into music with the release of her debut single, "Cry Without End," in 2024.
With such an accomplished résumé, it's no surprise that Morton is considered one of the most respected talents in the entertainment industry.
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