Wallis Day, a British actress, is best known for her roles in “Batwoman,” “Krypton,” “Infinite,” and most recently as Gigi in “Sex/Life.” Previously, her roles have been in Sci-Fi television series playing superheroes and villains, however, Gigi in “Sex/Life” is a supermodel about to have her first child with a man who is in love with someone else. The newest season of “Sex/Life” premiered to Netflix on March 2, 2023 and shows Gigi’s experience as she decides what is best for her and her new child.

Dress by Roberto Cavalli
Boots by Casadei
Messika Jewelry

How did you get started with acting?
I fell in love with storytelling when I was younger, whether that was through reading a book or watching a performance, I was fascinated by the process and wanted to be a part of it.

Has acting always been your dream job?
Not at all, I was academic as a child, I loved being outdoors and taking risks. So, the idea of exploring space was such a dream, then as I grew up the thought being a secret agent appealed more to me, which has an element of acting involved I guess. I was slowly making my way in choosing to be an actor, oh, the drama

What is the most challenging role you’ve had?
Definitely playing the villain in “Red Sonia.” I loved every minute of the journey from start to finish, but the physical exertion, bitter elements, back-to-back night shoots, etc. start to challenge you at some point. The combination of such a physical role being played out in extreme conditions was exhausting but exhilarating at the same time. When the shoot finished, we were all kind of like “what just happened?” Ha-ha.

**Left:**
Dress by Burberry
Bra by SKIMS
Jewelry by David Yurman
**Right:**
Top + Dress + Jacket by Alberta Ferretti
Jewelry by David Yurman

Who is your biggest inspiration?
So many people inspire me, the ones I find have affected me the most are everyday people I’ve come across, whether it be through my job or through an organization I work with, I’m intrigued by people and their human experience. I love human connection and while definitely look up to people known across the world, sometimes I find the most inspiration in the little moments of life.

How does your role as Gigi in “Sex/Life” differ from your previous roles?
Gigi is so different to the superhero world I come from. I feel like she’s a lot more relatable to an audience and so sweet. Most people have had the fortune to love or be loved, which means we can all empathize with what she’s going through on some level.

**Left:**
Shirt + Pants by Alberta Ferretti
Messika Jewelry
**Right:**
Dress by Burberry
Bra by SKIMS
Jewelry by David Yurman

Coming from a Sci-Fi background, did your preparation for your role as Gigi in “Sex/Life” differ from your preparation of previous roles?
The majority of prep for Gigi was approached in a similar way to my previous roles but, of course, there were some distinct differences. For example, Gigi’s heavily pregnant for most of the season and the physicality of a character plays a huge part of their identity, (not just in terms of weight loss or muscle gain, but their physical distinctions.) So, whereas I’d usually work closely with my movement coach, Jean-Louis Rodrigue, to achieve an agile motion to a character, for Gigi, it was about finding the weight and center of gravity inside her and getting used to that.

What was the most challenging part about playing Gigi in “Sex/Life?”
I feel like the emotional complexity was pretty instinctual, Gigi is fighting for what she loves, and that’s human nature, so for me, the most challenging part was probably working with the majority of my body being prosthetics.

**Left:**
Jumpsuit by Givenchy
Necklace by David Yurman
Right:
Shirt + Pants by Alberta Ferretti
Messika Jewelry
Boots by Proenza Schouler

What was it like wearing a prosthetic pregnant belly for your role as Gigi? Was this your first experience working with prosthetics?
This was my first experience working with body prosthetics. The team was absolutely incredible, they’re so talented, patient, and hard-working that it felt like me stepping onto set was the most effortless part of the day.

What was your favorite part about playing Gigi?
So many things I loved about playing Gigi, I think the most monumental moments for me were giving birth on TV or the pregnant intimate scenes. It’s rare, on mainstream TV, that we show a heavily pregnant woman express her sexual desires and be sexy so having the opportunity to perform those iconic moments was definitely a highlight.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned about being an actress?
Dealing with rejection and how to bounce back. Each time a question gets asked there’s a different meaning because you’ve grown so much from the last time you asked it. So, the answer is only temporary.

Top + Dress + Jacket by Alberta Ferretti
Shoes by FEMME
Jewelry by David Yurman

As someone with great personal style, has fashion always been of interest to you?
Yes, I’ve always felt like fashion is another form of language, one where you don’t have to speak to express yourself. There are clues of who you are within what you wear.

Aside from acting, what do you do in your spare time?
I love spending time in nature. Whether it’s relaxing in the ocean, reading a book in the countryside, or hanging off the edge of a mountain (sorry mum!), I find so much peace & joy in being among wildlife and feeling connected to earth.

Social Media.
@wallisday

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Ben Cope
Talent: Wallis Day
Fashion Stylist: Marc Eram at A-Frame Agency
Hair: Clariss Rubenstein at A-Frame Agency
Makeup: Beau Nelson at The Wall Group
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Angie Hines, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine