Aimee Lou Wood has opened up about how Angelina Jolie offered her quiet but powerful support during a difficult moment on the set of their upcoming film Anxious People.
The 31-year-old English actress revealed in a new interview with Harper’s Bazaar, published November 5, that she was filming an intense emotional scene when she began to panic after receiving conflicting directions from several crew members.
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Wood, best known for her roles in Sex Education and The White Lotus, recalled that the experience became overwhelming as people around her shouted instructions and gestured at her during the take. She decided to speak up, asking the team to simplify their communication.
“I asked everyone to speak with one voice and not move their hands where I could see them,” she told the magazine. “I’ve spent years feeling unable to say anything like that for fear of seeming argumentative – but now I feel like I can take ownership of what I need to thrive, and tell people what won’t work for me.”
What happened next left a lasting impression on her. “When I spoke up, all I could see was Angelina giving me a thumbs up,” Wood said. “She’s possibly the most famous woman ever, but she’s so normal.”
Wood went on to praise Jolie’s humility and professionalism on set, saying she admires how grounded the Oscar-winning actress remains despite her global fame. “I’m fairly certain she drives herself to set each day,” she added with a laugh.
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Anxious People is an American comedy film currently in production, directed by Marc Forster and written by David Magee. The film, based on Fredrik Backman’s 2019 bestselling novel of the same name, features an ensemble cast that includes Jolie, Jason Segel, Lennie James, and Carol Kane alongside Wood.
The story follows a group of strangers taken hostage during an open house viewing by an unsuccessful bank robber, leading to a series of emotional and comedic revelations about each character’s life. While the film has not yet been given an official release date, anticipation is high given its star-studded lineup and the popularity of Backman’s source material.
Wood’s candid account of her experience highlights the importance of collaboration and respect on set, as well as the value of veteran performers like Jolie offering encouragement to their co-stars. Her story serves as a reminder that even in Hollywood, empathy and professionalism can make all the difference.