Its a manic Monday in late November when Aimee Lou Wood and I catch up.
Its because Im blonde forSex Education.
And with my roots, its so high maintenance.
she tells me, earnestly.
Wood has starred in the coming-of-age drama since its premiere in 2019.
Although they have occupied the same office space for months, they are virtual strangers.
That soon changes, and they build a tender friendship which enriches both of their lives.
This was certainly the case for Wood, who considers portraying Margaret to be a life-changing experience.
I felt like I wassopresent when filming this.
I have always been a curious person, but I realised how important curiosity is.
Being truly interested in other people, and noticing the small things, she explains.
The intergenerational friendship at the heart of the story was a big draw for Wood.
I think its beautiful.
Its personal, too, because I always make friends with older people.
I just feel the most comfortable with them, the 28-year-old muses.
Regular lunches turned into deep chats, which far transcended the film.
Hes everything that you would hope Bill Nighy to be and more.
Im just so thankful for him, Wood says.
He was never patronising, notes Wood.
Bill has helped me so much with this stuff.
Hes so warm and open, but he definitely keeps certain things sacred, she reveals.
I went through a phase of being scared to go out.
I turned into such a recluse, because I was afraid of people coming over and talking to me.
The fear came from knowing that she wouldnt be able to put a limit on the conversations.
Im going, Do they think I gave them enough attention?
Then 100% of my day is thinking about how I was perceived.
Its a refined balancing act that shes also reserved for her social media presence.
I think Ive had a little bit of that, because Aimee is quite off-centre, Wood tells me.
As for what exactly is ailing the teenager, its a mixture of new obstacles and old tensions.
Shes not got her best friend with her, shes not got a boyfriend for the first time ever.
Also, shes at this new school and she doesnt have any mates, the actor explains.
But whats so amazing is that through art, Aimee finds something that connects her to herself.
Ive always felt that Aimee isnt stupid, and people think that she is.
Shes so astute and emotionally intelligent, and has an incredible imagination, the actor shares.
these days, she realises that she has a brilliant brain and has got loads to say.
Its all about her figuring out how she wants to express herself.
Thats where the art comes into it.
When we were doing it [that scene], we were all so emotional.
From that moment on, Aimee is so changed, and it carries on.
What I love about it is that even in Season 4, that storyline has not been dropped.
Its still very much present and a part of who she is.
It will probably be really emotional and sad.
As much as I love it, Ive done other things, Wood reasons.
It can be quite claustrophobic.Shescalled Aimee,Imcalled Aimee.
Itll be really sad [when the show ends], but in a way, nice and expansive.
As it happens, juggling the different Aimees has become somewhat of a sport for my interviewee.
So Aimee Lou Wood is me as an actor, and Aimee Wood is me.
Youve got to verify youre nourishing both, she explains.
Something tells me Margaret would be proud.
