In the span of just a few years, Aimee Lou Wood has transitioned from a breakout newcomer to one of the most respected and adaptable actresses of her generation. Born on February 3, 1994, in Stockport, England, Wood possesses a rare “emotional transparency”—the ability to make audiences howl with laughter one moment and shatter their hearts the next. While many first met her as the lovable Aimee Gibbs, her career trajectory has since spanned tragic Chekhovian drama, West End musical spectacle, and gritty social realism. Now, as a multi-award nominee and a newly minted star of the White Lotus universe, Wood is proving that her range knows no bounds. Here are the five roles that define her impressive versatility.
5 Roles Showcasing Her Talent:
Aimee Gibbs – S*x Education (2019–2023)
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The role that started it all, Aimee Gibbs could have easily been a one-dimensional “ditzy friend” trope. Instead, Wood imbued her with a profound, eccentric sincerity that turned her into the soul of the show. Her portrayal of Aimee’s journey through the trauma of s*xual assault was handled with such nuanced, heartbreaking honesty that it earned her the BAFTA for Best Female Comedy Performance. It remains a masterclass in how to blend high-energy comedic timing with deeply sensitive dramatic stakes.
Sonya Serebryakova – Uncle Vanya (2020)
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Proving her classical training at RADA was no fluke, Wood took to the West End stage as Sonya in Conor McPherson’s acclaimed adaptation of Uncle Vanya. Opposite industry giants like Toby Jones and Richard Armitage, Wood’s Sonya was a revelation of “bruised vulnerability.” Her performance captured the quiet, crushing disappointment of unrequited love with a stillness that was worlds away from her television work. Critics lauded her for holding the emotional center of the play, earning her a nomination for Best Actress in a Play at the Stage Awards.
Miss Margaret Harris – Living (2022)
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In this Academy Award-nominated drama, Wood played the “sunny” catalyst to Bill Nighy’s stoic, terminal bureaucrat. As Miss Harris, she represented the vibrant, uninhibited joy of life that Nighy’s character was desperately seeking to recapture. Her performance was a study in restraint and charm, requiring her to ground the film’s mid-century somberness with a believable, infectious optimism. The role earned her a BAFTA Rising Star nomination, proving she could command a leading film role alongside one of cinema’s most legendary actors.
Sally Bowles – Cabaret (2023)
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Stepping into the iconic Kit Kat Club as Sally Bowles, Wood showcased a raw, feral energy that stunned West End audiences. Taking over the role in the Olivier-winning revival, she moved away from the “lovable” persona she was known for to portray a woman spiraling through hedonism and denial in Weimar-era Berlin. Her rendition of the title song was described as “heartbreakingly earnest,” and her work earned her the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Takeover Performance. It was a definitive pivot that proved she could lead a major theatre musical with grit and power.
Chelsea – The White Lotus (Season 3, 2025)
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In her most recent global breakout, Wood joined Mike White’s biting social satire as Chelsea, a “spiritual” and street-smart guest vacationing in Thailand. Playing opposite Walton Goggins, Wood utilized her real-life Manchester accent to create a character that felt refreshingly authentic amidst the show’s pretentious ensemble. Her performance, which balanced dry wit with a hidden layer of emotional complexity, earned her Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nominations in late 2025 and early 2026. It is a role that has officially transitioned her from a “British favorite” to a bona fide international icon.
