Aimee Lou Wood X FAULT Magazine

 

Photography: Jack Alexander
Styling: Thomas George Wulbern
Make-Up: Emily Wood using Sunnies Face
Hair: Patrick Wilson at Caren using GHD and Hairtalks Extensions

 

Words: Miles Holder

Season 2 of Sex Education is filled with references to the many challenges teenagers face when maturing into adulthood, and for character Aimee Gibbs played by Aimee Lou Wood, the brutal realisation of everyday life is something we watch endure over the course of the eight-episode season.

The writers took care to ensure that Aimee’s story arc wasn’t a one episode experienced trauma, instead much like real-life trauma, Aimee’s experience follows the character, impacts the wider world of which the story is told and for the worst of reasons – it binds the female characters together due to their shared experiences.

The script is masterfully written and it took equally masterful acting skills from Aimee Lou Wood to bring all the moving parts involved in the storyline to life. With said performance still resonating deeply, I wanted to find out more about Aimee’s process gearing up to filming, discuss that iconic library scene and find out more about Aimee’s other projects.

SPOILER WARNING: Question 1 and 2 include spoilers for season 2

 

Was it hard to find a balance in melding the dark reality of the storyline with Aimee’s usually playful innocence and naivety?

I think life is a constant heartbreaking mix of tragedy and comedy and Aimee is such a brilliant character because she personifies that. That’s why she’s so relatable. Her reactions to the bullying she endured in season one were funny and sad all at the same time because that’s being human. But yes it was heartbreaking to see this assault cause such a tectonic shift in her. The pace was vital. It’s very rare that we process trauma immediately and with Aimee, it had to be an especially slow burn because of who she is – a fizzy, people-pleasing girl who shies away from the darker or uglier aspects of life.

In ep 3 when she is making jokes at the police station and putting on a brave face with her mum but then locks herself in her room and cries – that perfectly sums Aimee up. It was important to keep her chipper and positive in public for as long as possible to honour who she is and be truthful to her journey. It can be hard as the actor, especially because I’m older than the character, sometimes I want to empower and embolden Aimee too quickly but it’s so important to allow the characters to have arcs and development.

 

What was it like in the room when you and your castmates read the script for the ‘detention scene’ together for the first time?

We were buzzing with joy and emotion and camaraderie. It was so moving. The whole time we were shooting we couldn’t wait to get to that scene And then we were all so desperate to see episode 7 when it the season came out.

What would you say has been the hardest part of playing Aimee?

Playing a girl on the cusp of womanhood can be difficult when you’re already a woman. In the first episode of season one, I was so nervous that people were just going to take that sex scene at surface value and think “oh here we go another girl pretending to have a great time to please the guy” and you almost want to say to people “SHE GROWS! She empowers herself!!”. I’m just always on her side and because she doesn’t know herself as well as some of the other characters yet. It can be a little frustrating but also amazing because I get to take her on that journey of self-discovery.

 

 

What unseen side to Aimee’s story would you like the writers to explore if there is another season?

I want to see Aimee be good at something. Maybe she becomes an incredible baker (she needs lots of practice) I would love to see her excel and have a “thing” that is her own.

There are many teenage focussed dramas out there but Sex Education looks to be a front runner at the moment, what would you attribute that to?

How unapologetic and bold it is in every way – the writing, the directing, the aesthetic, the acting, the music. It knows exactly what it is now and what it is is a charming, moving, honest bundle of madness that everyone can access and relate to.

 

You’re also currently on stage in the production of Uncle Vanya – how well do you handle flipping between the varying workflows of stage and screen acting?

I trained in stage acting because I went to RADA so that has always felt like the default setting but I’ve grown to love screen so much. It’s really important to me to balance the two because a lot of screen actors shy away from theatre for so long that they never get back on the stage because it’s too frightening.

 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

I’ve been given so much amazing advice- it’s hard to think of one pearl of wisdom. But someone read me Rumi’s “The guest house” last week and I NEEDED to hear it: This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

 

If you could star in any other teenage drama series – even if it’s one that’s off the air, which would it be?

I’d love to star in The End of the Fucking World.

 

What is your FAULT?

My mad brain and the tricks it plays on me! But I’m growing to accept and love it.

 

Sex Education Series 2 staring Aimee Lou Wood is available to stream on Netflix now

Uncle Vanya staring Aimee Lou Wood will play at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 14^th January – 2^nd May