Stockport actress Aimee Lou Wood has officially had her big TV break in America – but acting still comes with its share of scares.
The Sex Education star, 31, became known to TV viewers in 2019 for playing the lively, bubbly Aimee Gibbs on the hit Netflix series.
Her very first appearance on TV was a full-frontal sex scene, alongside Connor Swindells, which means joining the 18-rated The White Lotus should be an easy adjustment.
But parts of playing Chelsea on the US series, opposite her on-screen boyfriend Walton Goggins, have left Aimee feeling ‘nervous’ on set.
Despite doing a major nude scene in Sex Education, which immediately set the tone for the show, it’s bikini shots that make her uncomfortable on The White Lotus.
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She told The Sun: ‘I was more nervous about bikinis than sex scenes. I was more worried about just being around the pool because I feel like that’s when you’re thinking more about how you look.
‘In an intimate scene, it’s about the intimacy. But then you just, kind of, have to forget that. You just have to let it go. The bikini scenes were way scarier to me, actually.’
Aimee joined the anthology series at the start of its third season, with each season introducing a new set of characters who visit the titular luxury resort.
A satirical black comedy, The White Lotus follows the exploits of the White Lotus’ rich guests and aims to pull back the curtain on the seedy, scandalous underbellies of their lives.
Aimee plays Chelsea, whose boyfriend is Walton Goggins’ character Rick Hatchett – the actress has spent a lot of time by the pool during her scenes in the show.
She previously revealed to Harper’s Bazaar that she had battled eating disorders and body dysmorphia in the past, and that getting into acting definitely brought up her fears surrounding them.
‘I hated my body and didn’t want to be in it – that’s not the case any more, thank God. But then, going to drama school, it can get even worse. I have scoliosis, so neutral for me is not neutral for everyone else.
‘You go to drama school and everyone’s being straightened out. It’s not easy being told you’re moving wrong – it’s basically a tirade on your body.’
Aimee has credited Hollywood costume designer Sandy Powell with helping her to become more comfortable with herself on set.
‘She saw me in real life and worked around me – and that really did change my mindset. Now when I go in [for costume fittings], I say, “Please don’t shout my measurements across the room, just write them down”.’
Aimee continued, telling the fashion publication: ‘When you have an eating disorder, your brain attaches to numbers, so it’s not helpful.’
The White Lotus is currently midway through its third season, while another of Aimee’s recent projects – Toxic Town, alongside Jodie Whittaker – is available on Netflix.
Watch The White Lotus on Sky Atlantic and Sky Go.
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