From Stockport to LA: How Aimee Lou Wood Won Over the World
The Bafta-winning actress Aimee Lou Wood has recently made a name for herself with a series of compelling and sincere performances. Known for her candidness, Wood openly shares her struggles with repressed emotions and the need for personal space. "I have to take some time to myself or my mind will explode," she admits. "I turn everything in on myself and get so spirally – a lot of that is repressed rage."
Authentic Performances Across Stage and Screen
Wood’s honesty shines through in both her real life and her characters. She gained fame as the charmingly naive Aimee in Sex Education, a role that earned her a Bafta in 2021. On stage, she delivered a powerful performance as Sonya in Uncle Vanya at the Harold Pinter Theatre in 2020, followed by a sunny portrayal of Miss Harris opposite Bill Nighy in the 2022 film Living. In 2023, she received acclaim for playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret in London’s West End.
Training and Philosophy
"I was really lucky to have this fantastic teacher at Rada who would always say, 'Just tell the truth. All of the other stuff will come, but just tell the truth,'" Wood recalls. "I’m not sure I know any other way to act."
Breakthrough Role in The White Lotus
Wood’s most recent role as the cheerful Chelsea in season three of The White Lotus showcased her trademark emotional authenticity. The part earned her the award for Television Actress. Although previous British actors on the show adopted American accents, Wood retained her Manchester accent, having originally auditioned with a California twang. Creator Mike White admired her natural speech so much that he rewrote the character’s backstory around it.
Author’s summary: Aimee Lou Wood’s honest approach and versatile talent have earned her critical acclaim across stage and screen, culminating in a breakout role that embraces her true voice.