Jodie Comer is the favourite to play Miss Honey in the 'Matilda' musical movie

Killing Eve star Jodie Comer is top of the shortlist for the role of Miss Honey in the upcoming cinematic adaptation of the Matilda musical.

The 27-year-old actor is the favourite choice of Netflix and Working Title to play the kindly teacher who fosters the title character’s talent, according to the Daily Mail.

Embeth Davidtz portrayed Miss Honey in the 1996 adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel, which was directed by Danny DeVito and starred Mara Wilson in the title role.

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Director Matthew Warchus will have to arrange filming around Comer’s Killing Eve commitments, as well as the ongoing coronavirus shutdown.

This new movie is an adaptation of the stage musical take on Matilda, with music written by comedian Tim Minchin.

Ralph Fiennes is reported to have signed on to portray the tyrannical headteacher Miss Trunchbull in the movie, after he was first linked with the role earlier this year.

Bertie Carvel won an Olivier Award for originating the role in the West End — just one of the then record-breaking seven Oliviers the show earned.

The show debuted as a Royal Shakespeare Company production in Stratford-upon-avon in 2010 before transferring to the West End in 2011 and Broadway in 2013.

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The Mail reports that Matilda is currently an exciting project as a result of its potential to be shot primarily on sound stages rather than relying on location filming — currently impossible as a result of the global health emergency.

However, it is unlikely that the movie will be able to go in front of cameras until late this year or early in 2021.

Comer is currently appearing as Villanelle in the third season of Killing Eve, alongside co-star Sandra Oh.

She is also part of the way through her work on Ridley Scott historical drama The Last Duel, which also stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

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Comer portrays the wife of Damon’s character, who finds herself at the centre of the titular duel when another man, played by Adam Driver, is accused of raping her.

Production on the film was underway in Ireland when the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to shut down, with Damon currently isolating in the small town of Dalkey.