As a film enthusiast with an eye for spotting rising talents, I can confidently say that Aimee Lou Wood is one to watch! Her portrayal of Gemma in Daddy Issues is a testament to her versatility as an actress, and she truly shines alongside the equally talented David Morrissey. The father-daughter dynamic they create is heartwarming and relatable, making me reminisce about my own dad moments.
This interview first appeared in TopMob magazine.
Following her standout performance in Netflix’s Sex Education, Aimee Lou Wood has since appeared in movies such as The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, Seize Them!, and Living.
In the fresh BBC Three comedy “Daddy Issues,” a 29-year-old actress is cast as Gemma, a character who finds herself in an unexpected situation after a one-night stand – she’s pregnant! To navigate this tricky phase of her life, she turns to her seemingly clueless father, Malcolm, played by David Morrissey.
Currently, the sought-after performer openly discusses incidents of “breaking character” on set, forming emotional bonds with prosthetic baby accessories, and expressing apprehension about embarking on another stage performance.
How would you describe Gemma, the character you play in Daddy Issues?
Gemma’s life has left her disappointed many times over, leading her to develop a sharp, slightly sarcastic demeanor as self-protection. She values her independence and prefers to operate alone, much like a lone wolf. Often in TV shows, young characters are portrayed as having large social circles or a best friend. However, this is not the case for many people, including Gemma. Due to her lack of close friends, she finds herself reluctantly accepting help from her father, Malcolm. This experience allows her to get to know him as an individual.
How did you find getting into the father-daughter dynamic with David Morrissey?
In some instances, Malcolm’s behavior strongly resembled my father’s. I have a deep affection for David. This connection might not resonate with you, but we share the same star sign for our moon (Scorpio), which led to an immediate, profound bond, deep conversations, and then playful antics on set.
As a die-hard fan, I can’t contain my excitement about David stepping out of his gritty drama comfort zone and making us laugh! It was quite a challenge for me to keep a straight face when working with him, since the mere sight of him would send us both into fits of laughter before we could even deliver our lines.
You play a pregnant woman in the series. How did you find that experience?
In my recent work, I shot Toxic Town (an upcoming Netflix drama with Jodie Whittaker and Robert Carlyle) prior to Daddy Issues, during which I portrayed a pregnant character. The frequent changes in bump sizes while filming both shows proved quite demanding, yet I grew incredibly fond of the bumps, particularly the larger ones.
Were you back in Stockport recently, since that’s where you hail from and ‘Daddy Issues’ was shot in and near the location? Did the return bring back any special memories or feelings?
It had a comforting sense of returning home, as people recognized me from the stories about filming there. Being the town’s point of conversation was quite enjoyable. However, it was strange because I am often the only actor with a northern accent on set, and my accent is usually seen as adorable or quaint. But for the show Daddy Issues, I worked alongside a crew from the North, which was great! My London friends have commented that my accent has become even stronger now.
Have you ever felt pressured to tone down your accent?
At drama school (which was Rada), Wood graduated in 2017. They told us that received pronunciation would be the primary accent we should master, meaning we had to adjust our accents when necessary. However, quite contrary to expectations, this rule hasn’t applied at all – instead, people often ask me to make my accent stronger!
In the upcoming third season of “The White Lotus,” what kind of dialect can fans expect to hear coming from you?
Initially, I designed my character to have an American background, but I submitted a self-taped audition, both with an American accent and my native one. The response was, “We prefer your natural voice,” so unexpectedly, my character will now hail from Manchester!
Have you taken part in some stage plays, such as Uncle Vanya and Cabaret? Do you find this kind of work enjoyable?
In the past, an actor advised me that frequently returning to theater is crucial to avoid developing a phobia for it and stage fright. However, after performing in Cabaret, I found myself terrified [Wood portrayed Sally Bowles at London’s Playhouse Theatre in 2023]. Despite adoring the role and considering it my dream part, which had a profound impact on me personally, it was nearly overwhelming. Navigating Sally’s journey each night proved to be challenging. (Paraphrased)
Tell us more about that…
In that moment, it seemed as though I stood exposed, bare on the stage. Later, when they praised me, saying I was excellent, I found myself contemplating, ‘They thought I was acting, but in reality, I was merely letting out screams, shedding tears, and experiencing a genuine emotional breakdown.’
The line between reality and fiction always gets blurred, but with Cabaret that line was just gone. I want to stay in the safe bosom of a TV set – I think I’m going to have to wait at least five years to do another play.
Have you found it challenging to meet the expectations following your BAFTA win in 2021 for your debut performance as Aimee Gibbs in Sex Education? After all, it’s quite an accomplishment!
It took me by surprise when I was nominated for an award, and even more so when I actually won. The night before the ceremony, others had told me that the nomination itself was a nice gesture, but I didn’t stand a chance of winning, so I should just enjoy the experience. However, when they announced my name, it felt incredibly emotional.
Do you think awards are valuable in the industry?
It’s so subjective. There are so many incredible performances and actors who will never get recognised by awards. You have to see an award as a lovely thing and then let it go. You do terrible work if you think, ‘I hope BAFTA sees this and loves it.’ All you can ever do is just tell the story and be as truthful as you can.
Daddy Issues will air on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer from Thursday 15th August.
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2024-08-06 02:40