Carla Woodcock
Tell Me Everything is Gen-Z’s response to the much-loved Skins, but rising actress Carla Woodcock deft and unique performance is one that is truly incomparable.
With societal pressures, social media, school assignments, and exploring sexuality for the first time, it’s hard being a teen. The media we consume in our formative years — the books, music, albums and more — become the cultural touch points we use to navigate the teen years, teaching us what to do in certain situations or helping us explore and become more of who we are. For Gen-Z, that cultural touch point is Tell Me Everything, a show that depicts a group of 16-year-old friends trying to navigate the world — both off and online.
Think of Tell Me Everything as Gen-z’s (slightly less intense) response to the much-loved 2007 series Skins. Both shows explore the inner psyche of teens in a specific moment in time, but it is almost as if Tell Me Everything picks up where Skins left off; focusing on the rise of mental health struggles in teens, the social media boom, and what it’s like to explore one’s sexuality for the first time. Tell Me Everything, created by Mark O’Sullivan, is ITVX’s the first drama series to be commissioned in 10 years, pulled from O’Sullivan’s own coming-of-age story from his time as a teen in Hertfordshire. For the show, he spoke with his own teen children to update his tales and ensure that it’s an accurate representation of what teen’s are going through today.
Carla Woodcock plays the peppy Zia in Tell Me Everything. It’s a character that, at first meeting, you assume you know her already. A kind but slightly vain girl that wants to be an influencer on social media. But as the season goes on, viewers can see there’s something bubbling under the surface that she’s not fully showing her friends and classmates. It’s an authentic and true experience that many teens will relate to universally.
1883 Magazine chats with Carla Woodcock about portraying the up-and-coming influencer Zia, what she did to prepare for the role, and more.
Lilac and black mini dress Keburia Tights Falke Black boots Russell & Bromley
Your first acting credit was back in 2017 — how would you say you’ve grown and developed as an actress between then and now?
Gosh, I feel like I’ve grown so much as not only an actress but a person too. I don’t like to watch things back of myself during that time because it feels like I’m watching a different person- it’s really strange. I filmed Free Rein from 2016-2018 and to be totally honest when I finished filming the third series I felt quite lost. I didn’t know who I was or who I wanted to be. I really had to go back to the basics- I went to a lot of acting classes and workshops and I met some really wonderful people who helped me build the confidence I needed to be an actor.
I feel like the first lockdown in 2020 gave me time to reflect too, I wasn’t able to audition for anything because nothing was filming so I had to find other things outside of work that made me happy. It allowed me to change my whole perspective on the industry, I learned to let things go. I mean the whole world was dealing with this crazy, unplanned pandemic of a virus we knew nothing about- if anything was going to teach me to relinquish control it was going to be that..!
Tell Me Everything truly feels like gen-z’s Skins but with a 2022 twist. How do you think the two series compare and where do you feel like Tell Me Everything differs from the 2007 drama?
Both shows portray adolescence through an honest, raw lens, they don’t try to glamourise anything or make it look ‘pretty’ for TV. They both have a cast of teenagers that I think young people will be able to recognise and relate to but in Tell Me Everything those people are dealing with issues that are more current and diverse that I hope will reach a wider range of people.
Blue and black striped blazer dress Alice + Olivia Tights Wolford
Black and gold mini tweed dress vintage Chanel Tights Falke Black patent boots Russell & Bromley
What first attracted you to the role of Zia?
I liked how she took the cool girl archetype that’s so often seen in teen dramas and turned it on its head. These girls are so often portrayed as catty and insecure whereas Zia isn’t like that. I think she’s a lot more emotionally mature, yes she has insecurities but she doesn’t use them as an excuse to lash out at people. I also loved her relationship with her best friend Regan. Women are so often pitted against each other and shown in the media to have some sort of rivalry, but with Zia and Regan they genuinely love, accept and support each other for who they are. That to me felt real, it felt like the relationships I have with the women in my life.
Social media is woven throughout Zia’s storyline this season even more than the other characters due to being a burgeoning influencer. For most of the season, it feels like she’s putting up a wall — it takes a bit for her to show what she’s struggling with. Was that immediately apparent in the script?
Yeah definitely. I think when you first meet her you see her through the lense of how everyone else sees her which works for Zia because she sees herself through the eyes of everyone else – her followers, her friends, her romantic interests. I think she’s so used to making everything seem so perfect it’s really hard for her to break down that facade and open up about what she’s going through and who she actually is in fear that she won’t be liked by them anymore. I feel like that’s so apparent in the social media age we’re in today, it’s so easy to pretend like everything is perfect by posting a highlight reel of your life online. Zia’s character shows that nobody’s life is really perfect, even if it might seem like that on the outside.
Blue top – Shushu/Tong
Black dress Gül Hürgel
The scene in episode 6 between Zia and Louis shows her in a new light as she explains the intrusive thoughts she has. What was it like filming that scene?
I was a bit nervous because I wanted to do Zia’s story justice. Luckily I had Spike, who plays Louis, in the scene with me. I’d had a lot of scenes with him at that point so I felt really comfortable with him. Our director, Marley Morrison, is a superstar- she was so supportive, doing any scene with her was a joy.
As a cast, did you all talk about mental health, social media, and growing up and its impact on gen-z?
We did, we had a rehearsal period before filming where we spoke about everything in a safe space. These are such prevalent issues in most people’s lives today it would be impossible for them not to come up at one point or another.
Was there anything in particular that you did to flesh out Zia’s character? Whether that’s making specific playlists, outside research, or anything similar?
I watched a lot of TikToks, which is probably to blame now for my obsession with that app. I wanted to do some research on online trends that teenagers were into at the time and also influencers that started off their careers in a similar way to Zia’s. I like making playlists too that I feel like my characters would listen to. I feel like Zia would be a big Harry Styles fan (aren’t we all?!) so I listened to a lot of his music.
Black patent coat with pink fur Shrimps
Knowing what you do about her arc over the season, if you could give Zia a piece of advice from you, what would it be?
To slow down, to get off her phone and live in the moment more.
What do you hope viewers will take away from the show?
I want viewers to know that they’re not alone, that things will get better. I hope it gives them the confidence to open up to friends, family or teachers. It’s unfair to expect yourself to go through things you might be struggling with alone. Treat yourself with kindness.
Lastly, if you could manifest something for yourself this year what would it be?
Health and happiness always. I also want to continue working on projects that I’m proud of and passionate about.
Tell Me Everything is streaming now on ITVX.
Interview Kelsey Barnes
Photographer Jemima Marriott
Stylist Emma Lane @ The Only Agency
Stylists Assistant Tilly Edgcumbe
Makeup Michelle Webb
Hair Diego Miranda using Maria Nila
