Killing Eve season 3 first look: Send in the clowns

When it came down to ratcheting up the intrigue for season 3 of Killing Eve, there was no clowning around. Well, maybe there was a little, as you’re about to see. The thrilling, chilling and blood-spilling spy-versus-spy drama returns for more international intrigue (and guessing games) on April 26 at 10 p.m. on BBC America and AMC. “It’s the most personal season — and the most emotionally rocky season,” declares executive producer Sally Woodward Gentle. That may not be surprising, given that at the end of the season 2 finale, unbalanced assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer) fired a bullet into the back of shell-shocked MI6 operative Eve (Sandra Oh) as she litreally walked away from Villanelle’s offer to run away with her. Six months later, when season 3 begins, both women — yep, Eve is alive — are attempting to recalibrate, and Villanelle's process brings with it a new mission: agency. (Not the spy kind.) "A big theme for Villanelle is her trying to gauge some sense of control," Comer tells EW. "She is a very free spirit, and she always seems to be under the thumb of this higher entity, whoever that may be. She's really trying to shake that off." To see how things might shake out in season 3, slice and dice these exclusive first-look photos to glean some meaty intel.

Eve will need to figure out who she is and what she wants in the aftermath of that tragic trip to Rome. “How can you come back when you said “no”?” Oh asked EW rhetorically after the season 2 finale. “How does Eve come back to any of her life?” And since we're already asking questions, how might the Eve-Villanelle dynamic evolve — or devolve — in season 3? "That relationship gets more complicated," understates Comer.

Villanelle has begun a new life in Barcelona, but not surpisingly, “there's a lot of chaos," sums up Comer. The actress was thrilled that the season capitalizes on the European hot spot. (For Villanelle, at least. Eve's location remains a mystery.) "We get off to a really vibrant start," says Comer. "Sam Perry — who came on as costume designer — is fantastic and has really seen this playground for what it was and has just run with it in regards to Villanelle's costumes this season." Keeping scrolling and you'll taste the rainbow...

Eve is no stranger to a blade (see: the season 1 finale, the season 2 finale, and, well, this photo). Now, having sworn off MI6, she's carving out a new job for herself. “She's a very, very bright woman who is good at whatever she decides to turn her hand to," offers Woodward Gentle. "She’s also very, very good at making dumplings. And Sandra turns out to be incredibly good at making dumplings — and at butchering, actually.”

Where do we find Villanelle's longtime-and-seemingly former handler, the slippery Konstantin (Kim Bodnia)? “Well,” hints Woodward Gentle, “his daughter, Irina, is not dead.”

Even Pennywise and Joker might be alarmed to see a Villaclown staring at them. Context, please? "She is trying to find her own way and be in charge and make her own rules — and she finds herself having to prove that she's ready and she's capable," hints Comer. "It just so happens this is her disguise this time.” As for that mystery man beside her, his name is Felix (Stefan Iancu), and well... that's kind of all viewers are getting for now. "The question is, who is complicit and why they are complicit?” teases Wooward Gentle.

If Eve has distanced herself from MI6, why is she standing there with her old boss, cryptic, withholding Carolyn (Fiona Shaw)? “I don't think they can help but be drawn back to each other a little bit,” says Woodward Gentle.

Eve's mostly estranged husband, Niko (Owen McDonnell), was last seen waking up to one helluva frame job by Villanelle, complete with dead body. “He's left in a really, really miserable place, but he's not dead,” says Woodward Gentle. “Miserable but not dead.”

After everything that Eve has endured, "are you ever going to trust Carolyn again?" asks Woodward Gentle. Raise one finger if you know that's a risky proposition in which you just might become entangled.

(To hear more from Comer, slip over here. For Oh's thoughts on Eve's season 2 finale, sneak over here.)