From Stockport to LA: How Aimee Lou Wood Won Over the World, One Compelling Character at a Time
The Bafta-winning actress Aimee Lou Wood has been steadily earning global recognition, delivering heartfelt and fearless performances that resonate with viewers. Known for her honesty both on and off screen, Wood brings a rare depth to every role she plays.
"I have to take some time to myself or my mind will explode," she says. "I turn everything in on myself and get so spirally – a lot of that is repressed rage…"
This disarming openness mirrors her characters over the years: the endearing Aimee in Sex Education which earned her a Bafta in 2021; the quietly intense Sonya in Uncle Vanya at the Harold Pinter Theatre (2020); the bright and optimistic Miss Harris opposite Bill Nighy in the 2022 film Living; and the complex, emotionally raw Sally Bowles in Cabaret on London’s West End in 2023.
"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,'" she recalls. "I’m not sure I know any other way to act."
This honest approach defines her artistry and reached new heights in her portrayal of Chelsea in season three of The White Lotus. Her warm, vibrant energy in the role earned her the award for Television Actress. Though British actors have appeared in the series before, Wood is the only one to retain her accent. Initially auditioning with a California tone, creator Mike White loved her Manchester inflection so much he adapted the character’s backstory to match it.
Author’s Summary
Aimee Lou Wood’s unwavering sincerity and natural charisma make her one of the most compelling actors of her generation, capturing audiences from Stockport to Los Angeles.