Narratives, Self-Value, and Sisterhood—Immy Waterhouse Shares Her Experience with Us

      When my screen comes to life on a grey Monday morning, I see actress Immy Waterhouse in soft focus, sitting cross-legged on her bed with her hair loosely pulled back, a few strands framing her natural, makeup-free face. She's wearing a printed white tee, with a silver chain resting at her collarbone, and there's a stack of books behind her. I notice "Intermezzo" by Sally Rooney and smile, as it also happens to be on the book pile beside my bed. This is my first real meeting with Waterhouse, yet she feels surprisingly familiar; she embodies that rare quality of openness from the start. We're chatting just days before our Who What Wear UK cover shoot, which will take place by the Eastbourne coastline. The weather, as expected, is predicted to be the typical damp, windy British summer we all know too well, but Waterhouse remains unfazed. "I'm actually really excited," she shares. "That kind of rain-and-romance atmosphere feels truly representative of our summers here." On the shoot day, the forecast holds true—overcast skies and persistent rain—but Waterhouse arrives with a calm, bright demeanor, spreading her serene energy around the set just as she did during our call.

      Often introduced alongside her sister Suki, a model-turned-actor-turned-singer, Waterhouse stands out as someone firmly rooted in her own identity; she has learned to confidently navigate her own path with authenticity. While she appears relaxed, she is well acquainted with emotional depth, particularly through her character Jinny St. George in "The Buccaneers," which has recently returned for its second season on Apple TV+. "I think it's a really good season," she tells me. "It takes the best aspects of season one and builds upon them. There’s still the drama, and it’s seductive, but there’s also a deeper sense of groundedness. You get to explore everyone on a deeper level."

      Jinny, one of the American socialites trying to fit into British high society, initially sought status and security through marriage. However, in season two, she grapples with the repercussions of her decisions. "She’s had to abandon everything familiar," Waterhouse explains. "She’s isolated, caring for a baby, just trying to survive—it's a lot." Describing the character's arc with the sensitivity that often resonates with actors tackled with intense roles, Waterhouse mentions a statistic about women leaving abusive husbands and how it informed her portrayal. "It doesn't always lead to a clean break. There’s immense guilt and confusion throughout that process," she reflects.

      Waterhouse emphasizes the importance of ensuring Jinny doesn’t become a stereotype. "She might come across as unlikable or difficult based on the script, but I aimed to play her with empathy—she's a young woman who’s been told that without marriage and success in a very particular way, she’s a failure. When that identity crumbles, she loses sight of who she really is."

      Throughout our conversation, Waterhouse maintains clarity, steering clear of clichés. She discusses complex topics such as challenging storylines, self-worth, and female friendship with depth, giving weight to her words that underscore the reason why the team behind "The Buccaneers" entrusted her with such a sensitive storyline.

      The second season also involved a change of scenery. While season one was primarily filmed in Scotland (which was exceptionally convenient since I live just outside Edinburgh, and many locations were a mere 15-minute drive from my home), Jinny’s journey took her and Waterhouse to Croatia, which stood in for Italy. "It was just stunning—vibrant towns and cobbled streets. It strangely felt like an entirely different project, almost an indie film," she says of the experience, describing it as intimate with a smaller crew around, creating a rare and special opportunity. "I’m really thankful I got to be part of that story segment."

      Despite the immersive nature of the work, Waterhouse does not shy away from acknowledging its emotional impact. "To truly understand Jinny’s mindset, I had to embody her thoughts, and many of those were quite self-critical. By the end of the day, I would often feel… down. Your mind sometimes doesn't differentiate between 'this character' and 'this is me.' It made me realize how powerful our internal dialogues can be, and how crucial it is to show ourselves kindness, as those thoughts linger."

      This blend of introspection and resilience encapsulates Waterhouse. She acknowledges the difficult moments but refuses to be immobilized by them. She also knows how to enjoy life. “I still do,” she chuckles, reflecting on her twenties. "I've just released many things that used to hold me back. Maybe it’s just age and turning 30—everything feels calmer. You start caring less about trivial matters."

      Acting is not her only passion; Waterhouse has also taken to directing. She began by helming three